Interim Principal to 'Stay the Course'

A former "Connecticut High School Principal of the Year" will take the helm at on August 13.

"My goal is to stay the course and provide stability to make the double transition—from the departing principal to the interim to the replacement hire—go smoothly," he said in a phone interview from his home in New Fairfield, CT, this week.

That transition can bring disruption to students' lives, he said—particularly those in tenth and eleventh grade, who will have three principals over the course of their high school careers.

"I bring experience that will hopefully provide the least disruption possible," he explained.

The decision to go with an interim to came after it was clear A new search to fill the position on a permanent basis will begin this fall, the district said. 

This isn't the first time Goetz has been hired in an interim capacity by a district looking for the right leader.

Most recently, he served as . Before that, he completed interim principal stints at Stamford High School and Before that, served as Brookfield superintendent and as a principal in Danbury and Meriden, CT.

He brings over 40 years of experience, which all began with teaching history and social studies, he said.

In announcing Goetz's appointment, Goetz was "the most experienced interim leader that the district could have secured."

In discussing his interest in temporary positions in schools, Goetz said they suited him at this point in his life.

"I retired from education about five years ago and after about six months realized it was a bit premature," he said. "I enjoy being in the game and think I still have something to offer."

Katonah Lewisboro appealed to him because of the district's quality programs, he said.

"What's nice about high school is the unpredictability. With that many students, something different happens every day," he said.

And what's something he'd like those students to know about him?

"I'm a straight shooter," he said. "What you see is what you get. I have a lot of knowledge about how high schools work and I hope they'll see me as highly visible."

The Bronx native also said it wouldn't take students too long to figure out where he was from, given his accent. Until he starts in a few weeks, he's spending time with his wife, four grown daughters and four granddaughters.

Goetz earned a bachelor's degree and master's degree in Economics from Fordham University. He completed his coursework in the Ph.D. program in Economics at Fordham as well. He received his Certificate in Advanced Study Degree in Educational Administration from Fairfield University.

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