Region 9 Names Rocky Hill Principal As Barlow Head Of School

EASTON, CT — The Regional School District #9 Board of Education unanimously endorsed the appointment of Mario Almeida as Head of School/Assistant Superintendent for Joel Barlow High School.

The endorsement came at a special meeting held on Wednesday evening. Almeida takes over from Gina Pin, who retired in June.

Almeida has been the principal of Rocky Hill High School for the past thirteen years, and was selected from a pool of 26 candidates. He holds undergraduate and doctoral degrees from Central Connecticut State University, and an advanced degree in Education Administration from the University of Connecticut.

Todd Johnston, Regional School District #9 Board of Education chair said, "We are excited to have Dr. Almeida join us at Joel Barlow. His experience and leadership will help us navigate the start of school under COVID-19 protocols, close the gap as a result of remote learning, and encourage the teachers’ creativity to get us to the next level of learning and vision of the Barlow graduate as we come out of the pandemic."

The Regional School District #9 Personnel Search Committee screened twenty-six applicants and conducted interviews with seven candidates. The Personnel Search Committee selected four candidates to advance to finalist interviews with the Board of Education and advisory stakeholders which included parents, staff, and school and central office administrators.

"I’m honored to be appointed as Joel Barlow’s next Head of School/Assistant Superintendent," Almeida said. "I look forward to working with the faculty, students and the Joel Barlow community as a whole."