2 New Elementary School Principals Appointed In Darien

DARIEN, CT — Darien Public Schools on Wednesday night appointed two new elementary school principals.

Christopher Melillo will be the princpal at Ox Ridge Elementary School, and Ross Cooper will lead Hindley Elementary School and replace Both will begin their new roles effective July 1.

Keri Snowden, the former principal at Ox Ridge, left the district last month, and Melissa Kay left as principal of Hindley in November 2023. Interim principals have been in place for most of the school year.

Melillo's career in education began as an elementary school teacher in Hamden in 1993. He taught at several schools before becoming an assistant middle school principal in Meriden. Melillo returned to Hamden as an elementary school principal and director of elementary education.

He became the assistant superintendent of curriculum and instruction, an interim superintendent of schools, and later the superintendent of schools in Newtown.

Mellilo began his career as an elementary school teacher in Hamden in 1993, and taught at several schools before becoming an assistant principal at the Thomas Edison Middle School in Meriden. He then returned to Hamden as an elementary school principal, and later became the director of elementary education.

Melillo became the asisstant superintendent of curriculum and instruction, followed by interim superintendent of schools and later superintendent of schools in Newtown.

"He's going to come back to his roots as an elementary principal with a wealth of experience," said Superintedent of Darien Public Schools Dr. Alan Addley.

Melillo graduated from UConn with a bachelor's of education. He received his master's degree in reading, and his administrative and superintendent certificates, and sixth year degree in educational leadership from Southern Connecticut State University.

Melillo has earned several education awards and honors throughout his career.

"Thank you for this opportunity. I look forward to rolling up my sleeves and doing the work and fostering a thriving educational environment for our students, for our families, for our staff, for our faculty. I really can't wait to hit the ground and start running," Melillo told the Darien Board of Education following his appointment Wednesday.

Cooper comes to Darien after serving as the assistant principal of Roaring Brook School, K -4 elementary school in Chappaqua, N.Y.

Cooper's career in education began as a third grade teacher in Emmaus, Pa. He later served as assistant principal of a K-3 elementary school in the Williamsport area, and was appointed as the K-12 supervisor of instructional practice for the Salisbury Township School District in Allentown.

In 2014, Cooper moved to the Williamsport Pennsylvania Area School District as the assistant principal of a K-3 elementary school. In 2015, he was appointed as the K-12 supervisor of instructional practice for the Salisbury Township School District in Allentown, and returned to the school setting as principal of an elementary school in Old Tappan, N.J.

Cooper has a bachelor's degre ein spanish from Muhlenberg College, and a master's degree in special education from Lehigh University. He received certificates in middle level English, elementary education and special education, as well as both his principal and curriculum and instruction certifications from Lehigh.

"I'm delighted to introduce him with his passion and expertise. He's an author, an educational researcher, but more importantly, an educator," Addley said.

Cooper thanked the board for voting to appoint him.

"I don't take these things for granted. It's a pleasure to stand before you today, and I can't wait to get started and immerse myself in the culture and serve the students and serve the community at Hindley. I very much look forward to it," Cooper said.

Wednesday's Board of Education meeting was broadcast via Zoom and posted to YouTube.