Meet Monroe's New Superintendent of Schools

It took a search committee seven months to find him and now townspeople will get to meet him.

A community reception will be held for Monroe's new superintendent of schools James Agostine today in the media center from 4 to 6 p.m.

Agostine had held the same position in Region 16, which includes schools in Prospect and Beacon Falls.

When visiting both communities, Monroe Board of Education Chairman Darrell Trump said feedback about Agostine included comments such as, "The best superintendent we ever had"; "It's amazing what this superintendent has done for this district" and "You found a jewel."

On the night his hiring was announced, Agostine said, "I aspire to be in a community like this. My educational background and my experience in Region 16 has prepared me for this."

Agostine has been a middle school teacher, assistant principal, principal, has served as superintendent for Prospect/Beacon Falls for the last four years, and has been a Board of Education member in Region 14.

The position of superintendent opened up when Colleen Palmer resigned to accept the same post in Weston. John Goetz held down the fort on an interim basis, while a search committee looked for Palmer's successor.

Goetz had previously served as interim superintendent in Monroe years prior, when Alan Beitman had left the district.