Two New School Asst. Superintendents Appointed

At Thursday night's meeting of the Coventry School Committee, Dr. Michael Almeida and Mrs. Lee Rabbitt were officially appointed as Assistant Superintendents of Coventry Public Schools. They are replacing after a 22-year career in Coventry.

Superintendent Michael Convery explained that the decision to appoint two superintendents is returning to the 2007 model that proved successful.

"This is budget neutral in regards to increased cost," he explained. "The position is grant funded for the first year and through efficiencies during the year we'll be able to fund it going forward."

"I'm very happy to appoint both of these positions tonight," he went on to say. "It is time we go back to the model we had previously."

Dr. Almeida is coming to this position from his role as Principal at , of which he was named Middle School Principal of the Year in 2010 from the Rhode Island Association of School Principals.

"I look forward to serving the community as a whole," said Dr. Almeida. "I'm excited and nervous at the same time but I am looking forward to the opportunity."

Mrs. Rabbitt was formerly the Director of Technology for Newport Public Schools. She received the International Recognition Award for ‘Making It Happen’ in Educational Technology from the International Society for Technology in Education in January of 2012.

"I am thrilled to be coming to Coventry and looking forward to working with the great staff you have here," she said.

"Lee is bringing experience and skills to the district that have been sorely needed for a long time," said School Committee Chairperson Kathy Patenaude.

Both appointments will be effective as of August 6, 2012.