Schools

New Principal at Manchester High Could Be in Place By April

A contract to become the next full-time principal at Manchester High School has been offered to Matthew Geary, current principal at Watertown High.

The news wasn't all doom and gloom at Manchester High School Friday. 

Shortly after the school was lifted from lockdown status due to a bomb scare, Interim Principal Richard Kisiel sent a message to high school staff that he has offered a contract to the leading candidate to fill the high school's vacant principal position, and that the candidate could be in place at the high school by April 23. 

"The site visit to Watertown yesterday by members of the interview committee, confirmed what we believed to be certain about Mr. Matthew Geary and his candidacy as principal," Kisiel wrote in his message to high school staff.

Find out what's happening in Manchesterwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

"Accordingly, I am pleased to inform you that we have offered Mr. Geary a contract to serve as your high school principal. The Board of Education will confirm his appointment at their regular meeting on February 27. Mr. Geary’s start date is April 23." 

Geary is the current principal of Watertown High, where he has served in that position since 2007. Prior to that, he served as an assistant principal at the school for two years, and began his teaching career at Amity Regional High School, where he spent five years teaching mathematics. Geary graduate from Fairfield University with a bachelor's of science degree in mathematics from Fairfield University, where he also obtained a master's, and also has a master's degree in educational leadership from Capella University and completed the Executive Leadership Program from the University of Connecticut. He lives in Southington with his family. 

Find out what's happening in Manchesterwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Kisiel said that Geary has verbally accept the contract but still must sign it, which would then be approved by the Board of Education at its Feb. 27 meeting. 

Kisiel also thanked Interim Principal Gregory Ziogas in his message, who has filled the principal role at Manchester High since last February, and members of the search committee who assisted in Geary's selection, including Manchester High faculty members Marsha Testa, Patricia Gibbons, and Ed Tyler representing the faculty, and student Jackie Ofria. 


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here