Doherty Announces Changes at St. Bernard School

The new headmaster of St. Bernard School has announced a number of changes to the school administration and the school itself.

The number of academic administrators has been cut from four to two, writes Headmaster Thomas Doherty.

Physical plant

On the north side of the campus, the school is finishing a project to convert its heating system from oil to natural gas. The old boilers are being replaced by high-efficiency boilers, and Doherty expects the financial savings to be substantial – in the area of $100,000 per year. Funding for the project came from the Diocese of Norwich.

Personnel changes

A new school nurse, Elizabeth Spadaro,  has a bachelor of science degree in nursing from Malloy College in New York. She has more than 16 years’ experience as a registered professional nurse; for the past four years, she has worked as the school nurse in Stonington.

Linda Cunningham, who  will join the guidance department, has a master of social work from the University of Georgia, and a PhD in educational studies from the Universty of Michigan. She comes from Brown University’s Center for Public Service, where she was director of educational equity.

Brian Sheridan, a 2004 graduate of St. Bernard, will become a teacher in the social studies department. He earned his bachelor’s degree in history from Eastern Connecticut State University, and his master’s degree from Sacred Heart. Most recently, he worked as an instructional assistant in a special autism classroom at Killingly Intermediate School. 

Susan Griffin, a 1977 alumnus, is starting as an admissions associate. Griffin already worked in the athletic department, and will continue to lead the track and cross-country teams, while also leading the marketing and communications work for the school. She earned a master of arts in education administration from the University of Connecticut.

The search for an athletic director continues, and Doherty says he believes a new AD will be announced soon.

Enrollment and fund drive

Doherty adds that ninth-grade enrollment is 8 percent above last year’s, and the sixth grade class is full, and has a waiting list.

The annual fund drive exceeded its goal by 4 percent, raising $496,489.

 To read about the new headmaster, click .