Staffing Cuts, Changes at East Haven Schools

UPDATE at 5:45 a.m. on Saturday

In addition to a new middle school principal, East Haven high schoolers may also find themselves with one less assistant principal when the new school year begins this fall.

has cut the assistant principal position at as part of its cost-cutting effort to meet the by the Town Council last month, according to a New Haven Register report.

The high school currently has two assistant principals: Robert Proto and Elizabeth Mazzu.

Cutting the position will reportedly save the district some $120,000 a year in salary costs.

In other staffing changes, principal Karen Schmidt is retiring. And current Principal John Prato is moving over to Momauguin School, to fill the vacancy left by current  Principal Joanne Manginelli, who is leaving to take a new post in another school system.

This has led to the opening at the middle school, and now at Overbrook, prior to the start of the new school year.

But The Register's Jennifer Swift reports the decision to cut the assistant principal at the high school is not a final one, as school board members are looking for other ways to bring the new school year's budget down to the approved 1.1 percent increase from the 3.6 percent proposed by the school administration.

That 1.1 percent increase amounts to a $500,000 in additional funds from the current 2011-12 budget.

That slight increase in district spending is expected to be offset through .

As an Alliance District member, East Haven Public Schools has been identified as one of .

And the grant, which the administration is required to apply for, is a conditional one — it must be used to reform and improve the district's student performance and achievement. This means the money, if approved by the state, has limited areas it can be applied in the district's budget.

In other cost cutting measures, the board also did not fill the positions of certain teachers and staff members who are retiring over the summer.

ORIGINAL STORY (Friday at 5:45 a.m.)

It appears that when East Haven middle school students return to classes this fall they'll not only have — but a new principal, too.

East Haven Public Schools has posted an advertisement on the district's website seeking applicants for the position of principal.

The middle school's current principal is John Prato.

The employment ad was posted on Tuesday. The deadline for candidates to submit their applications is July 11. And the new principal's start date is listed as Aug. 27.

Prato and Superintendent of Schools Anthony Serio were unable to be reached for comment Thursday evening.

Momauguin School Principal

In addition to Prato, two other administrators have also given their notice they are leaving their posts.

Momauguin School Principal Joanne Manginelli is leaving her position this summer in order to assume a director's position with the Hartford Public School System.

As East Haven Patch first reported via Facebook, Board of Education Chairman Thomas Hennessey announced Manginelli, an East Haven resident, was moving on to take the new post at the board's meeting June 12 meeting.

The opening, however, has not yet been advertised on the district's website.

Director of Pupil Services

Additionally, the school district is also looking to hire a new director of pupil services. The district's current director is Mary Acquarulo.

Acquarulo gave her notice she was leaving earlier in the school year.

The new public services director is scheduled to start on July 1, according to the employment advertisement posted on the district's website.

East Haven Patch will continue to provide additional updates on the new principals and director as more information becomes available.