After Middle School Principal Mandy Ryan took a new post in July as a school principal in Guilford, Old Saybrook suddenly was left with a hole to fill before the start of the new school year. Fortunately for the Old Saybrook Middle School, the district’s July announcement of the opening drew considerable interest—Superintendent of Schools Jan Perruccio said the district attracted more than 50 candidates for the opening, and eventually selected Dr. Krista Bauchman for the post.

“We wanted someone with leadership experience and middle school experience. We were looking also to continue [work on] personalization of learning and standards-based grading,” said Perruccio.

The search team that conducted the initial interviews of the top eight candidates included teachers, parents, administrators, para educators, a secretary, and Board of Education members. Twenty-nine adults participated in the screening process. Several students, after taking candidates on a tour of the middle school, also provided input to the interview team.

The Board of Education voted Aug. 29 to appoint Bauchman to be the new Old Saybrook Middle School principal.

Bauchman currently is serving as the assistant principal of Irving Robbins Middle School in Farmington. Her first day as Old Saybrook Middle School principal will be on Oct. 2. Until then, Middle School Assistant Principal Matt Walton will take on school principal duties.

According to an Old Saybrook Public Schools press release, Bauchman began her career as a grade 5 science teacher in Bloomfield. From that position, she moved on to teach grade 7 science in Regional 13 (Durham/Middlefield) and then to Farmington Public Schools to serve as an assistant middle school principal.

Bauchman said after her appointment, “During each of my interactions with the Old Saybrook community, it has been apparent that the staff, teachers, administrators, and families are tremendously dedicated to the success and happiness of their students. It is an honor to be joining Old Saybrook Schools as the principal of Old Saybrook Middle School. I look forward to partnering with the school community to support all our students in discovering their passions, fostering their love of learning, and assisting them to grow academically and as individuals.”