South Windsor Administrator Named Region 8 Superintendent

SOUTH WINDSOR — The Region 8 Board of Education Wednesday announced that longtime South Windsor educator Colin McNamara has been appointed its next superintendent of schools.

His start date in the RHAM system will be July 1.

McNamara comes to Region 8 from South Windsor, where he was an assistant superintendent overseeing personnel and administration since 2014.

He also served as an assistant superintendent in Wallingford and Killingly, a school principal in Willington, and assistant principal in Fairfax, Va., where he started his education career as a classroom teacher in 1996.

McNamara also has experience as an adjunct professor at the University of Connecticut, the University of St. Joseph in West Hartford, and George Washington University in Washington, D.C.

Region 8 serves the towns of Andover, Hebron and Marlborough with RHAM High School and a middle school.

"The Board is extremely grateful for Interim Superintendent Scott Leslie’s leadership and service to Region 8 through such tumultuous times and is looking forward to continued excellence with our new Superintendent Colin McNamara," said Mike Morris, the chairman of the Region 8 Board of Education and head of the search committee.

McNamara earned a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education and Special Education from Slippery Rock University in Pennsylvania, a Masters of Education, Administration and Supervision from the University of Virginia, and will complete the Doctor of Education program at American College of Education this year. In addition to his degrees, McNamara has completed the Executive Leadership Program at UConn's Neag School of Education.

"For many years, I have known about the district’s strong academic offerings, competitive athletic programs, and the large variety of activities offered beyond the classroom setting," McNamara said. "While interacting with the Board of Education and district staff during the interview process, I learned even more about the outstanding work that takes place in the schools each day. I look forward to working with the outstanding students, dedicated staff, committed Board of Education, supportive families, and other community stakeholders from Hebron, Andover, and Marlborough in the ongoing efforts to improve students' educational experience."

McNamara is replacing Interim Superintendent Scott Leslie, who served previously as principal of RHAM High School.

McNamara was chosen from a pool of 11 applications from three states, including superintendents, central office personnel, and building principals. The search was facilitated by consultants from Trumbull-based Cooperative Educational Services. CES is one of the six Regional Educational Service Centers established by the state legislature to provide supports and services to public school districts.