Branford’s public school students went back to the buildings on Aug. 30 with some new leadership at the district’s central office level, as well as in some schools. Chief among the new leadership is Branford’s new Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Christopher Tranberg, Ph.D.

Tranberg was appointed to the role in March by the Board of Education (BOE) and began serving the district on July 1. Prior to his new role with Branford Public Schools (BPS), he had served as Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction for Darien schools since 2020. Tranberg also held a number of administrative positions in Connecticut school systems, including Granby Assistant Superintendent, Avon High School Principal, Simsbury High School Assistant Principal, and Director of Performing Arts for Simsbury Public Schools.

In his first superintendent’s report to the full BOE on Aug. 16, Tranberg said BPS was well-positioned to welcome students back for the new academic year with teaching staffing levels being fulfilled. Tranberg additionally noted the district’s contracted bus company, First Student, is fully staffed with drivers for all routes. Tranberg also reported that 585 students had participated in BPS summer programming, a figure which comprises 25% of the district student population.

On Aug. 25, Tranberg welcomed BPS faculty and staff back to school during a Convocation event at Branford High School.

Among the faculty is the new principal of Mary T. Murphy Elementary School, Imani Y. Jones, who joined BPS on July 1. Jones has six years’ experience in building leadership as principal and assistant principal in Waterbury and, most recently, at the Booker T. Washington Academy in New Haven. Additionally, Jones has over a decade of experience as an elementary teacher and literacy specialist across grade levels.

Additionally, Walsh Intermediate School starts the new school year with a new assistant principal, Ashley Marinaro, who brings with her 10 years of experience in Branford as the district’s curriculum coordinator for grades 5 through 12. Marinaro also has over nine years of experience as a literacy coach and an English teacher working in school districts in both Massachusetts and Connecticut. The BOE announced Marinaro’s appointment to her new role in July.

Also, as announced by the BOE in August, Allison Moran will serve as the next assistant superintendent of curriculum and instruction for the Branford Public Schools. Moran brings with her nearly 20 years of experience from the Westport Public Schools, where she currently serves as the coordinator of elementary curriculum, a position she has held since 2020. Prior roles in Westport include math and literacy resource teacher, mathematics specialist, instructional coach, and classroom teacher. Additionally, Moran served as interim assistant principal at both the elementary and middle school levels.