A few weeks ago, the Southington board of education voted, 7-2, to promote town council chair Chris Palmieri as the new DePaolo Middle School principal. We can’t think of a better person for the position. As members of the press, we’ve had many opportunities to see him in action, and his ability to connect with students—individually or as a group—is unequaled. We’ve had the privilege of seeing Palmieri in many roles at both middle schools. Whether it’s directing a joint middle school drama production, celebrating DePaolo’s 50th birthday, at a STEPS board room with members of the youth council, at a school event, at an extra-curricular activity, or at the Apple Harvest Festival, Palmieri’s focus on the town’s youth and his love for our students is obvious. He’s able to connect at a deep, personal level without compromising his authority as an administrator. It’s a rare gift. On the other hand, the promotion has left us with more than just a little concern about Palmieri’s growing role in our town’s “democracy.” Nobody holds more positions in the town—paid or unpaid—than Palmieri. His day job in the schools seems to overlap his night job as town council chair and his summer […]
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