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Former New Canaan High Principal Takes Top Job At Stamford High

STAMFORD, Conn. -- Stamford Public Schools has looked to the past to help guide Stamford High School in the future.

Tony Pavia will be the interim principal at Stamford High School.

Tony Pavia will be the interim principal at Stamford High School.

Photo Credit: File
Stamford Public Schools Superintendent Winifred Hamilton has named Tony Pavia as interim principal at Stamford High School.

Stamford Public Schools Superintendent Winifred Hamilton has named Tony Pavia as interim principal at Stamford High School.

Photo Credit: File

School Superintendent Winifred Hamilton announced Thursday that effective Feb. 23, Tony Pavia will be rejoining Stamford High as the interim principal.  

Pavia is taking over the role from Rodney Bass, who has been heading up the day-to-day operations at the school since early October when previous Principal Donna Valentine was arrested and suspended from the job. 

“We are pleased to welcome Tony Pavia back to Stamford High School,” said Hamilton. “Tony’s leadership and first-hand experience at SHS will be of great value to the school and our district.  We are appreciative of the mayor’s office for its help in working with the Diocese of Bridgeport to expedite Pavia’s availability to serve in this role.”

Pavia, who was president of Trinity High School in Stamford, replaces Valentine, who Hamilton said decided not to return to the school after a teacher sex scandal.

Valentine and assistant principal Roth Nordin were arrested in October and charged with one misdemeanor count of failing to report to the state Department of Children and Families an allegation that Stamford High English teacher Danielle Watkins had carried on a sexual relationship with an 18-year-old male student at the school.

Valentine and Nordin were granted accelerated rehabilitation on the charge by Superior Court Judge Richard Comerford on Nov. 19. They will have no criminal record if they have no further legal problems in the next two years. 

Hamilton decided the two administrators would not return to Stamford High.

Pavia joins Stamford High School from Trinity Catholic, where he served as principal from 2011 until 2014. Previously, he had served as principal of Stamford High from 1996 to 2002, acting assistant principal at SHS from 1992 to 1994, and as a SHS social studies teacher for six years. 

In addition to his positions at SHS and Trinity Catholic, Pavia has also served in a number of administrative roles in New Canaan and Darien, and was principal at New Canaan High School from 2002 to 2011. 

“Stamford High School holds a special place in my heart and has been an integral part of my life and my career.  I welcome the opportunity to work with the students, faculty and staff and will work hard to serve the school and the community with integrity and purpose.” Pavia said.

“I’d also like to recognize and thank Rodney for his leadership during this difficult time,” said Hamilton. “And a special thanks to the Mayor’s Office and the Diocese of Bridgeport for supporting us with Tony’s immediate transition—it’s truly a reflection of the commitment and dedication to all children in our community.”

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