Dear John Wallace Families,

I am writing to share some bittersweet news regarding a transition in my role within the Newington Public Schools. After nine rewarding years as the Principal of John Wallace Middle School, I have been appointed to the position of Assistant Superintendent of Human Capital Development for the district, effective Monday, March 2.

Serving the John Wallace students and community for nearly a decade has been a profound honor. Throughout my tenure, I have been consistently inspired by our students’ growth and the unwavering support of our families. While I am eager to take on this new challenge at the district level, my connection to this school remains deeply personal. I am incredibly proud of the work we have accomplished together, and I will carry those experiences with me as I move forward.

As we look toward the remainder of the school year, my primary focus is ensuring a seamless transition for our students and staff. I am pleased to share the following leadership transition plan:

• Interim Principal: Our current Assistant Principal, Mr. Marco Tirillo, will serve as the Interim Principal of John Wallace. Mr. Tirillo’s deep understanding of our school culture ensures that our daily operations and long-term goals will continue without interruption.

• Assistant Principal Support: We are fortunate to have Mr. David Milardo (former JWMS Principal) and Ms. Rosa Perez (retired administrator and recent NHS Assistant Principal Substitute) assuming shared responsibility for the Assistant Principal position. Their collective experience will provide a tremendous level of stability for our building.

Dr. Brummett and I will oversee the hiring process for the Wallace administrative position(s). We expect to finalize this before the end of this school year.

I want to express my sincere gratitude for your partnership and trust over the last nine years. It has been a privilege to lead this school, and I look forward to continuing to support the John Wallace community and the Newington Public Schools in this new capacity.

Sincerely,

Daniel Dias

JWMS Principal