Dr. Ernest Perlini Named Interim Superintendent of District 13

The following is a press release from the Regional School District 13 Board of Education

The RSD13 BoE announced today their selection of Dr. Ernest Perlini as Interim Superintendent until such time as a regular full-time superintendent is named to replace Mrs. Susan Viccaro who has accepted a position in another school district effective July 1, 2013.

Dr. Perlini completed an Interim Superintendent position in Bethany this past January and during the previous year served as Interim Superintendent in Windsor. He served as Superintendent of Schools in Newington for 16 years from 1993 to 2009. His other educational experiences in Newington included Assistant Superintendent 1990 to 1993, High School Principal 1980 to 1990, Middle School Principal 1976 to 1980, Assistant Principal 1973 to 1976, and classroom teacher 1969 to 1973.

“We are confident that Dr. Perlini's extensive experience as an Educator and Superintendent will be helpful to this District as the Board devotes the necessary time to the selection of a new Superintendent of Schools,” said RSD13 Board of Education Chair Kerrie Flanagan.


With the important work of finding an Interim Superintendent completed, the Executive Search Committee of the RSD13 Board of Education will continue to work with CES (Cooperative Educational Services) and Dr. Kaye Griffin to find a replacement for Mrs. Viccaro. The recruitment process will include gathering information from all stakeholders by conducting focus groups and distributing on-line surveys in order to develop a leadership profile that meets the needs of the District.

The “Leadership Profile” will help to define the qualities and characteristics that are required of our next superintendent. The school website will include regular status updates to keep the community informed of progress throughout the summer.

The Board also announced that it intends to re-post the open position for the High School Principal because the Principal Search Committee formed in April of this year has not yet found a replacement for Mr. Andre Hauser who left the District at the end of April. After conducting several interviews during May and June, the committee decided to begin the search process again after the close of the school year.

“We believe that opening the job posting again after the end of the school year will likely yield a larger pool of candidates interested in joining RSD13 as Principal of Coginchaug Regional High School," said Superintendent Viccaro.

Mr. Don Gates who is currently in place as Interim Principal has agreed to stay in position until such time as the search committee finds a suitable replacement for Mr. Hauser. We are fortunate to have Mr. Gates onboard to allow the search committee time to continue their efforts over the summer months.

“The Board is very focused on filling this important position with the right candidate and appreciates Mr. Gates support in the interim," said Flanagan. “Don has done a great job as an interim during May and June and we are comfortable that with his many years of experience, he will fulfill the responsibilities of the high school principal preparing us for the new school year and ensuring that we are well prepared for all of our students when we open the doors in September."