Bethel Native to Join Danbury Public Schools: Superintendent

DANBURY, CT — The Superintendent of Danbury Public Schools Dr. Sal Pascarella announced that the school system has hired four new school principals who will join the district this fall. Three of the new hires come from within the district, he said.

Dan Donovan, principal of the Danbury High School Freshman Academy, is now the principal

of Danbury High School. Donovan replaces Gary Bocaccio who retired this year. Dr. Edie Thomas of Pembroke School will head Broadview Middle School, replacing Edward Robbs who retired this summer
after 50 years as an educator. Dr. Alison Villaneuva, interim principal of Shelter Rock Elementary School started her position following the retirement of Julia Horne. Pascarella said Villaneuva will remain
at Shelter Rock as its principal. Bethel native Dr. Sharon Epple, a former principal in the Hartford Public Schools, will lead students and staff at Pembroke Elementary School.

Epple also previously held positions as principal in Newtown at Reed and at Brookfield Public Schools.

“We were particularly fortunate to find someone of Dr. Epple’s experience and caliber to lead Pembroke Elementary School,” Pascarella said. “She brings the wonderful combination of vast instructional knowledge with wide-ranging experience as a building principal overseeing a variety of programs and student needs in both urban and suburban environments. With Dr. Epple at the helm, I am confident that Pembroke Elementary School will continue its progress in solidifying strong student achievement in a rich learning environment.”

Also included in Dr. Pascarella's newsletter update was information about the new 63,000-squarefoot

expansion of the high school.

"The district is fortunate to have received funding for this project, as Danbury High School – the largest
high school in the state with nearly 3,000 students – continues to grow and offer more opportunities so that our students are prepared to enter careers or continue their education after high
school," he said.

Before breaking ground on the project, work must be completed on the existing roof of the high school and then work will begin on expansion of the cafeteria. All of the fire alarms and sprinklers have been updated.

Read more here.

Photo credit: By Gary Jeanfaivre