PUTNAM — Catherine Colavecchio was named as the new principal of Putnam Elementary School.  Colavecchio will succeed Laura Williams who is retiring on June 30.    

A search committee made up of Board of Education members, administrators, teaching staff, a paraprofessional and a parent interviewed seven highly qualified candidates. The search committee narrowed the field to three semi-finalists. Each semi-finalist was then interviewed by Superintendent William Hull.  Of the three semi-finalists, two candidates were forwarded to the Board of Education for their review.  The Board of Education met with the candidates choosing Colavecchio unanimously.

Currently Colavecchio is a building principal at the Martin School in Manchester.  She has also served as an elementary principal, 504 and ADA District Coordinator, Assistant Principal Director of Elementary Special Education and Special Education Teacher for the Glastonbury Public Schools.  She has a bachelor’s degree in special education from St. Joseph College in W. Hartford. She also has a master’s degree in special education and a 6th Year Degree Certified in Administration from UConn. Hull said, “Kate will fit right into the Putnam Family. She emerged from an extremely talented pool of candidates.   She has a wealth of experience and talent.  She will help us maintain and advance excellence in the district.”