Tedeschi retires as Parish Hill principal, McKenna to replace him

Yahoo

06-06-2025

CHAPLIN — With the end of the school year comes the end of one administrative chapter at Parish Hill Middle/High School, but a new era is set to start with the new school year in the fall.
Principal Brian Tedeschi submitted his resignation the Board of Education earlier this month, as part of a planned retirement.
Tedeschi has been the principal for just shy of a decade, named in the 2015-16 school year to succeed then-principal Dori Smith. Tedeschi had been serving as the interim principal while a search for her replacement was conducted, before the Board of Education chose him for a permanent place. During his tenure at Parish Hill High School, Tedeschi was named Outstanding Principal in the state by the Connecticut Parent Teacher Association in 2019. The awards are based on nominations from local PTAs, and the volume of community support for each nomination.
Tedeschi may be leaving, but the Parish Hill community will still have a familiar face in the school's leadership: Thomas 'Tom' McKenna has been appointed by the Board of Education as the new prinicipal. McKenna has been serving the school as vice principal, arriving at Parish Hill shortly after Tedeschi, and was also named Outstanding Vice Principal by the Connecticut Parent Teacher Association in 2019.
'We are excited to bring Tom McKenna on as the next principal at Parish Hill Middle High School,' Superintendent Andrew Skarzynski told the Chronicle. 'Tom has served the district well as the assistant principal and brings forth a steady presence and strong understanding of curriculum and instruction. Tom has a well-developed understanding of the unique needs of our communities and his continued presence at Parish Hill will benefit our students, families and staff.'
The Board of Education accepted Tedeschi's resignation the same night as the appointment of McKenna was made, based on the recommendation of regional school district 11 Superintendent Andrew Skarzynski.
'Although not an easy decision to make when you love the school community that you've spent the last 10-plus years, it's time to call it a career and reinvent myself,' Tedeschi told the Chronicle. 'I am fortunate to have made many great personal and professional connections with staff, parents and community members, but as always, it's the joy of educating students that I will miss the most.'
Tedeschi praised his successor.
'I am most pleased to see Tom McKenna taking over the role of principal, as he has served the school community quite well for the last nine-plus years, and will no doubt continue to do so,' Tedeschi said.
McKenna will be in place in his new role for the 2025-2026 school year.
'Tom will work alongside Brian through the remainder of the school year and during the summer, as he assumes the mantle of school leadership,' Skarzynski said.
The position of assistant principal will not be filled as part of cuts to the region's budget, which failed at its first referendum and will be sent to voters with a reduced bottom line for a second referendum in June.
McKenna's role as principal formally takes effect on September 1.