Valley Independent Sentinel

Derby Principal To Lead St. Mary-St. Michael School

by Eugene Driscoll | Jun 8, 2010 12:08 am

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Posted to: Derby, Education

Linda Coppola, a Derby native with 36 years of education experience in the city, has accepted the principal’s position at the St. Mary-St. Michael School on Elizabeth Street.

Coppola is the principal at Derby’s Bradley School. She will retire from the school district at the end of the month — although she said she plans to stay on for a bit afterward to help Bradley get ready for the next school year.

St. Mary-St. Michael, a small, kindergarten through eighth grade Catholic school with roots that go back 125 years, has been struggling with low enrollment. The school almost closed this year — but was saved after a group of energized parents presented a financial plan to the Archdiocese to keep it open.

Coppola said she’ll work with the school community to turn the school around.

After 36 years in education, why is she taking on the new challenge?

“I do not have grandchildren. I’m only 58. I’m not ready for the rocking chair,” she said Monday.

Coppola is a graduate of St. Mary’s and a parishioner of the church.

“I’m deeply committed to keeping that school alive and vibrant,” she said.

She said the timing feels right for a change — and she’s simply ready for a new challenge.

“It was a very difficult decision to make because I’ve made long-lasting friendships with the students, staff and families (in Derby public schools),” Coppola said. “But, at this stage in my life, this opportunity came up. It just fell into place. A year ago, I might not have done this.”

The last two budget cycles have not been easy for Derby Public Schools.

Coppola had to lay off staff members last year.

Now that the city’s tax board did not grant the school district’s full funding request for next year — there’s a chance Coppola will have to dismantle Bradley’s full-day kindergarten program.

Coppola, a former kindergarten teacher, believes that elimination would be a step backward for the school district.

The Derby school board is scheduled to discuss their spending plan Tuesday night.

Coppola called the recent budgets “painful.”

“This year we’re looking at more teacher cuts,” she said.

Coppola said the budget cycles were part of the reason to retire from the district — but not the primary reason.

“My father always told me ‘You’ll know when you’re ready.’ I just felt ready,” Coppola said.

Arthur Gerckens, a St. Mary-St. Michael parent and a member of the school’s principal search committee, said the committee was floored when Coppola submitted her application.

They had several good candidates — but Coppola’s name skyrocketed to the top of the list.

She was interviewed last Wednesday and signed a contract Friday, Gerckens said.

“When she came in with her resume, we were all in awe,” he said.

“She’s from Derby. She went to St. Mary’s. She’s a parishioner. To get someone of her caliber is just amazing,” Gerckens said. “Perhaps a higher power is looking out to make sure that the school stays open.”

Parents and others in the school community are working in several areas bolster the school. Their plan includes boosting enrollment and tapping on graduates for donations.

Click here to read our previous story on the plan, or watch the video from Crossroads magazine.

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