School Bd Names A

New NHS Principal

By Susan Coney

The Newtown Board of Education unanimously selected Arlene Lynn Gottesman of Milford to be the new principal at Newtown High School at its June 4 meeting.

After a rigorous search the selection committee was confident and enthusiastic that it had found the right candidate. Ms Gottesman will start her duties as NHS principal in July. Interim Principal Patricia Llodra has offered to stay on for the month of July to help make a smooth transition.

Ms Gottesman is currently the principal of Jonathan Law High School in Milford; she has served in that capacity since 1998. She comes with experience in several areas of the education field. She began her career as a physical education and health education teacher at West Rocks Middle School in Norwalk where she worked for nine years. She left to pursue a job as a guidance counselor at Norwalk High School where she served in that capacity for three years.

Ms Gottesman went on to become the Norwalk Public Schools health education coordinator where she participated in writing grants, which brought more than $200,000 to the Norwalk Public Schools. From that position she went on to become the supervisor of health, physical education, and athletics for Norwalk schools. She served as housemaster at Norwalk High School.

Ms Gottesman holds a bachelor of science degree in physical education and a master of science degree in counseling from the University of Bridgeport. She also attained a Sixth Year Diploma in administration and supervision from Southern Connecticut State University.

Ms Gottesman is originally from Long Island and said that it was a bit of a culture shock coming to Newtown. “It’s so dark here at night. Learning to drive in the dark will be interesting, but I have a great car with bright headlights so it shouldn’t be a problem,” she chuckled. She plans to hold off relocating to the Newtown community until she gets to know the area and wants to focus all her energy into her new role as principal at Newtown High School.

Ms Gottesman said she is thrilled to come to Newtown. “The reputation of Newtown High School’s as being a high caliber school and the reputation of their staff and administrators are outstanding. I want to be able to grow professionally. I look forward to really talking to the staff and students; getting to know them and their needs. I’ve worked with Pat Llodra before and I was delighted that she has been the interim principal, I’m in good hands,” she said.

Board member Lisa Schwartz served on the selection committee. Ms Schwartz said, “I have had the pleasure of being on the interviewing committee and had an opportunity to go to a site visit. Arlene’s past superintendent gave feedback about her saying, ‘She knows what’s important, what’s right, what’s true.’”

Superintendent of Schools Evan Pitkoff said, “I am very comfortable with the selection, it is truly Newtown’s gain.” Dr Pitkoff expressed his appreciation of Pat Llodra’s outstanding work and said that the board was grateful to her for “leading the ship.” The superintendent said that in the selection process they did thorough reference screenings. During the site visits the committee received passionate statements from parents, teachers, and students regarding Ms Gottesman as a very solid leader, with great common sense, who is always a visible presence and has an incredible way with kids. Recommendations stated that she always tries to improve the school every year and that she is an outstanding principal.

During the interview process Dr Pitkoff observed her to be extremely compassionate with the ability to be firm, fair, and to lead a school. “Also she has a confirmed track record as an established principal,” he said.