School board members recognized Superintendent Dr. Henry LaBranche on Tuesday ahead of a dedication ceremony and dinner scheduled to take place on Friday for the well-traveled school administrator.
The event will be held at the new Golden Brook School kindergarten at 6 p.m. The building's new name? The Henry E. LaBranche Kindergarten.
Windham's kindergarten wing opened in August. The addition was built at the cost of over $2 million.
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LaBranche will officially step down on June 30, meaning that Tuesday night was his last meeting. He is currently serving as the interim superintendent after coming out of retirement in 2011.
Board member Michelle Farrell joked that LaBranche was originally supposed to fill in for an interim role for three months.
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Stephanie Wimmer, vice chair of the school board, said that LaBranche delivered for Windham beyond her wildest imagination.
"When we coerced you into coming back, we were so grateful for your leadership," she said. "You said to us at that time – 'I'm not just here to plug the hole, I'm not just here to maintain. I'm here to make sure we move forward."
Dennis Senibaldi, who joined the board in March, told LaBranche that he has always admired his leadership.
"I know we've had some fun. I do have to say, even throughout some of the difficulties, I've learned a lot from you."
Chairman Mike Joanis thanked LaBranche for helping to deliver the kindergarten and being part of the town's first high school.
"Simple fact – where we're going to be on July 1 is in and of itself an outstanding accomplishment," Joanis said." "The community is at a place that we really have never been before."
LaBranche also said a few words about the district's future.
"I think the stewardship and the leadership is here in the district to move forward," he said. "I look forward as a resident for our continued growth and progress here in Windham.
Windham's new superintendent for the soon-to-be SAU 95 will be Winfried Feneberg, who was chosen by the district in February.
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