Board Of Ed Fills Derby Dean Position

The Derby Board of Education filled a vacant position left by a middle school administrator who resigned after his arrest for allegedly bringing narcotics to school, said Derby Superintendent Steve Tracy. 

Drew Walters, a math teacher and administrative intern at Roger Ludlowe Middle School in Fairfield, will replace LaRovera starting Monday (Jan. 23). 

William LaRovera worked as the former Derby Middle School dean of students before resigning on Nov. 3. He recently applied for a special form of probation in Derby Superior Court that could see his record wiped clean as long as he stays out of trouble for an unspecified amount of time. 

Judge Burton Kaplan will hear his case on Feb. 3. 

The Derby Board of Education filled LaRovera’s position at its meeting on Thursday, Jan. 19. 

Walters has worked as a math teacher since 2004 and as an administrative intern since 2008, Tracy said. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in economics from Vermont University and a master’s degree in education from Southern Connecticut State University. 

Tracy said the Derby Board of Education is also working to fill other vacant positions, like the principal position at Irving Elementary School. The board accepted former Principal Fran Gallo’s resignation letter on Thursday night, Tracy said. Gallo was principal for 11 years. His last day will be in July.

Now, a screening committee consisting of board members, parents, staff and citizens will meet on Feb. 9 to start organizing the selection process, Tracy said. 

“Almost 70 individuals have applied for that job and our goal is to get through the interview and selection process by the end of April,” he said. 

By the beginning of May, Tracy hopes to nail down a candidate ready to work by the end of the school year. 

“It’s busy, but we’re getting through it,” Tracy said. 

The board is also preparing to interview people for district-wide business manager on Jan. 31. 

Derby High School has also been missing a permanent assistant principal position since early August. 

Tracy said he’s unsure about that position, for now. He plans to immediate focus on the other three vacant positions.

Former assistant principal Greg Gaillard was promoted to principal, replacing Fran Thompson, who left to become principal at Jonathan Law High School in Milford. Paul Landolfi has been serving as interim assistant principal. 

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