New Haven Public Schools (NHPS) is set to welcome three new principals for the upcoming school year. The Board of Education has approved the appointments of Cara Campo, Karissa Stolzman, and Rosa Ortiz to lead Worthington Hooker School, Benjamin Jepson School, and Family Academy of Multilingual Exploration (FAME), respectively.

Local Leadership Changes

Cara Campo, currently the Assistant Principal at King/Robinson, will take over as principal of Worthington Hooker School, succeeding the retiring Margaret Mary Gethings. Campo, with two decades of experience in NHPS, is known for her commitment to recognizing and nurturing the unique strengths of students and staff alike.

Karissa Stolzman, an alumna of Hillhouse, will become the principal of Jepson School, taking over from Lesley Stancarone. Stolzman has over ten years of administrative experience and is deeply connected to the New Haven community, with her son currently attending Hillhouse.

Community Concerns at FAME

Rosa Ortiz, an external hire from New Britain, will lead FAME, replacing Marisol Rodriguez. Ortiz’s appointment has sparked discussion among FAME staff and parents, who expressed a preference for internal candidate Regina Carini. Carini, a veteran of NHPS, has been praised for her leadership and positive impact on the school community.

Despite the concerns, Superintendent Madeline Negrón and Mayor Justin Elicker have expressed confidence in the hiring process, which involved multiple interviews and input from various stakeholders. Ortiz, with over 30 years of experience, aims to earn the trust of the FAME community and lead the school in a positive direction.

Original reporting: New Haven Independent — read the source article.