With Newtown Middle School Principal Tom Einhorn’s retirement, the Board of Education voted at a special meeting on June 24 to appoint NMS Assistant Principal Jim Ross to be the school’s new principal.

Ross said this week that he “couldn’t be more excited.”

“I just feel so connected to the community and the staff, this is really where I would like to end my career,” said Ross in a phone interview on June 28.

Before her own retirement on June 30, Superintendent of Schools Dr Lorrie Rodrigue sent a letter to district parents and staff on June 26 to announce the news.

“The Board of Education approved the selection on Friday, June 24. The [hiring] committee spoke about Jim’s depth of knowledge, his efforts to work collaboratively with his staff, and his passion for leadership,” Rodrigue wrote. “We wish him well in his role.”

Board of Education Vice Chair John Vouros served on the committee that interviewed candidates and made the selection.

“It was readily apparent that he was heartily endorsed by his staff,” Vouros said in a phone interview on June 23.

Vouros said Ross “knows what has to be done” for children and staff.

“We’re encouraged that he will be in a position to hire his assistant [principal] who will be the wind beneath his wings,” said Vouros.

Ross said looking for an assistant principal has begun, and he sounded excited to find the perfect candidate to work at NMS.

Reflecting on being interviewed for the principal position, Ross said, “It was exciting. I was nervous, but it was a great process. And I think they did a wonderful job really making sure they really get the best candidate forward.”

Ross said he was interviewed not only by Rodrigue, but also by incoming Superintendent of Schools Chris Melillo. The hiring committee also included parents, PTA members, board members, administrators, and teachers.

Beyond hiring an assistant principal, Ross said some of his other first plans as principal will be to finalize the school’s schedule for the 2022-23 school year, and prepare for the opening days of the school year.

Ross — who lives in Newtown with his wife Marissa and daughters Olivia, 8, and Julianna 5 — said he has commitment, dedication, and love for Newtown.

Ross earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Management Information Systems from Western Connecticut State University (WCSU) in 1993, a Master of Science degree in education from University of Bridgeport in 2003, and his sixth-year certificate in educational leadership from University of Bridgeport in 2014.

He worked as a teacher in Bethel and Norwalk before being hired as a seventh and eighth grade math teacher at NMS in 2008. Ross was hired as the school’s assistant principal in 2014.

In a letter he sent to NMS families on June 27, Ross wrote, “It is hard to believe that I am entering my 20th year of educational experience in the middle school setting. I have had the privilege of teaching mathematics in three varied districts, including Newtown, with experience in both suburban and urban communities. For the past eight years, I have been honored to serve Newtown Middle School as the assistant principal. As the principal of NMS, I look forward to working in partnership with each and every one of you and our dedicated staff as we strive to make this next school year the best and most individualized educational experience for our students and families.

“NMS will continue to focus on providing challenging, rigorous experiences for students in a safe and supportive environment,” Ross’s message continues. “I look forward to working with an engaged, thriving community that places a high value on education as we continue to cultivate well-rounded and compassionate citizens who are committed to making meaningful contributions to our global society. It is a powerful notion to think of our responsibility as we equip our students to become the future leaders of our nation and our ever-changing world, and I am committed to doing whatever it takes to ensure NMS continues to meet this responsibility, now and into the future.”

Ross said he has a strong knowledge of the NMS staff and he values communication and collaboration. He plans to prioritize the school’s culture, making it “the best learning environment for all.”

“I have a thorough knowledge of the community and the staff, and I think that gives me a good understanding of the work to be done,” Ross said.

Education Editor Eliza Hallabeck can be reached at eliza@thebee.com.