SEYMOUR – The principal of Chatfield-LoPresti School is now the director of curriculum and instruction for Seymour Public Schools.
David Olechna started in the position Nov. 3. The annual salary is $175,553.
Olechna had been the principal at Chatfield-LoPresti since 2010.
Seymour Schools Superintendent Susan Compton said Olechna was among 55 applicants for the job. She said his record stood out.
“He has led multiple schools of distinction, successfully guided a major elementary school consolidation, implemented restorative practices and is a recipient of the Connecticut PTA Principal of the Year Award,” Compton said in an email. “His extensive leadership experience, deep knowledge of the Seymour community and strong commitment to student success made him the best candidate for this role.”
Olechna replaced Mary Sue Feige, who retired in July after nearly 40 years in Seymour.
Compton said the job’s duties include supervision and evaluation of staff, budget oversight, grant management and oversight of student support systems.
“This isn’t goodbye to the (Chatfield-LoPresti) staff. I will still get to work with them and now I get to work with the other great teachers in Seymour and get to see firsthand some of the wonderful things that go on firsthand, rather than being on the other side of town at (Chatfield-LoPresti),” Olechna said.
Before coming to Seymour schools, Olechna was an eighth-grade teacher at Suffield Middle School. He was hired here in 2007 as assistant principal of Seymour Middle School before becoming principal of Chatfield-LoPresti in 2010.
“I feel strongly connected and dedicated to Seymour and look forward to having a positive impact,” Olechna said. “I appreciate the Seymour Board of Education and Dr. Compton’s support and belief that I was the right person for the job.”
As for finding a replacement for Olechna to lead CLS, Compton said the district will begin the search process soon.