Westfield Public Schools Superintendent Stefan Czaporowski with Paul K. Newton, the new principal of South Middle School. (Photo by Amy Porter)
WESTFIELD – Superintendent Stefan Czaporowski recently announced the appointment of Paul K. Newton of Feeding Hills, Agawam as the new principal of South Middle School.
“Paul’s understanding of what a 21st century education requires in a personalized learning environment for every student was impressive,” commented Czaporowski about the selection of Newton, who began serving the students and teachers of South Middle School last Monday.
Newton was formerly a principal in the Enfield Connecticut schools for the past seventeen years. Sixteen of those years were as principal of Enrico Fermi High School from 2000 to 2016, when the school merged with Enfield High School. During his tenure at the high school, he was named the Connecticut High School Principal of the Year in 2007, and represented the state in Washington D.C. at the National Principal’s Academy.
Following the merger, Newton was asked by the Enfield school district to serve as a principal at the Edgar Parkman Intermediate School (Grades 3-5), which had been without a principal for one year, in order to provide stability to the school, and to bring teacher evaluations up to date.
Newton also has seven and a half years of Associate/Vice Principal experience; five years as Associate Principal at South Windsor High School, and two and a half years as a Vice Principal at the E.O. Smith School in Storrs. Before his leadership roles, he was the director of K-12 Health and Physical Education in Somers, CT for eleven years and one year as a Social Studies teacher in Springfield.
Newton holds both a Bachelor’s Degree from Springfield College, and a Master’s Degree and Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies from Westfield State University. Newton said he attended high school in Madrid, Spain, and speaks Spanish.
Newton said he is happy to be in Westfield. “There’s a distinct welcoming warmth that emanates from the Central Office,” he said, adding that it brings a great message, and is a great way to lead. “What more could a building administrator look for from Central Office staff? It’s one of the reasons I was happy to accept this job,” he said.
Newton also said he can’t wait to start working with his new assistant principals, Jessica Kennedy and Pete Lurgio, who he called “dynamic.” Kennedy came over from North Middle School, where she previously served as assistant principal, and Lurgio came over from Westfield High School.
Newton said one of his core beliefs is that the job of principal is to create “high-powered, positive, appropriate relationships with the kids and families in a safe environment.” He said he plans to make South Middle School a place “where kids want to be.”
Czaporowski said the process to hire Newton began with a search committee that recommended candidates to him. Members of the committee included teachers, parents, students, a community member, and school district leaders. Committee members were charged with reviewing applicants, conducting initial and confidential interviews and then recommending the slate of candidates. Czaporowski accepted the slate of candidates and with support from district administrators, conducted interviews of the finalists.
“The process for the selection of the South Middle School principal was the same as the Westfield High School principal and will continue to be developed further for future building and district level positions,” remarked Superintendent Czaporowski.
“I was looking for an opportunity to make an impact in the lives of students. I am excited about the possibilities with South Middle School students, staff, and families,” Newton said.
