District searching for another principal

NEW LONDON – Due to the notice of retirement from New London Intermediate/Middle School Principal Ann Pinch, the School District of New London has begun searching for a new principal for the intermediate/middle school for the 2026-27 school year.
New London Superintendent Scott Bleck told the New London Board of Education at its Jan. 28 meeting that the district’s search for a new principal for New London Intermediate/Middle School would almost mirror the current search for a new principal for New London High School for the 2026-27 school year. That search began in mid-January.
Bleck told the board the district would post the intermediate/middle school principal position the day following the board meeting. The posting would be up through Feb. 13.
The first round of interviews would be conducted by the district’s director team, a representative from the district’s administrative team, a representative from the intermediate/middle school, and interested district board members. The first round of interviews would be conducted Feb. 17 or 19.
After the first round of interviews, the board would be involved in the second round of interviews Feb. 24 or 26. This round of interviews would focus on finding a candidate for recommendation to be hired.

“Then after board interviews, then we would negotiate with that individual to come to a consensus agreement pending final board approval for the opportunity to lead our intermediate/middle school,” Bleck said.
The start date for the new principal would be July 1.
Board member Nate Grundy said he thought posting the position for only two weeks seemed like a short amount of time.
“A lot of people that might be good candidates might miss that posting,” Grundy said. “Isn’t that a little bit short if we’re not going to fill it until July 1st?
Bleck said the planned timeframe is the typical amount of time the district does for a posting. He added that if the district felt it did not have quality candidates for the position after the two-week posting, the district could extend the posting.
“I think we’re in a really good spot as far as getting potential good candidates,” Bleck said.
Board President John Heideman agreed with Bleck that the timeframe is standard for what the district has done in the past.