Sandy Hook Elementary School will receive a new principal and assistant principal, school officials announced Tuesday.
Dr. Kathleen Gombos, currently of Bethel's R.M.T. Johnson School, will serve as principal.
"She understands curriculum, instruction, data and intervention strategies and has driven her test scores to be among the highest in the state," said former Bethel superintendent Gary Chesley. "However, it is her personal desire to help in the Sandy Hook healing process, her passion for making tough situations better, and her special connection to kids that make her an extraordinary candidate."
Gombos has served as principal at Johnson School since 2004. In 2010, under her leadership, Johnson School was nominated by the Connecticut Association of Schools for the Elementary School of the Year.
Incoming assistant principal Timothy Napolitano has taught at Reed Intermediate School since 2005, and previously taught first grade at Sandy Hook.
"He is able to have balance in his professional life, but at the same time is immensely focused on the welfare of the students he teaches and the staff with whom he works," said school officials in a release. "He is a rare blend of a lifelong learner and profound dedication to maximizing the implementation of best practices. These traits will translate well to working with the Sandy Hook School staff."
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.
