Bruce Lazar to Serve as Stepney's Next Principal

Monroe Board of Education members wished longtime Stepney Elementary School Principal Susan Austin well when she leaves the district to serve as associate superintendent of schools in Stamford, then unanimously voted for Bruce Lazar to take the helm as her successor on Monday night.

Lazar, the last administrator to serve as principal of Chalk Hill School, has been assisting Sandy Hook Elementary School staff members in that building.

"I have big shoes to fill," Lazar said after the board vote taken during its meeting in the Masuk High School media center. "I'm looking forward to it and I'm thrilled and happy to serve Monroe."

Supt. of Schools James Agostine said Lazar will be relieved of his duties for Sandy Hook School after the April vacation, then work with Austin once a week for the transition at Stepney.

At the beginning of the meeting, Board of Education Chairman Darrell Trump said there was one thing on the agenda Monroe would not be happy about: Austin's resignation

"We're losing one of our fabulous administrators," he said of Austin. "Congratulations on moving up, but I hate to see you're moving out."

Board members also showed strong enthusiasm for the selection of Lazar.