Mrs. Margaret-Mary Gethings has been appointed the new principal for Branford's John B. Sliney Elementary School.

The appointment was made during last night's Board of Education (BOE) meeting, following a "comprehensive search," said Superintendent of Schools Hamlet Hernandez. A press release from his office described Gethings' qualifications and her current role as the principal of Fair Haven Middle School, a K-8 public school in New Haven.

According to the release, Gethings has a Masters Degree in Special Education and also a 6th year Degree from Southern Connecticut State University.

"She has an exceptional instructional background, with over 22 years of experience, and is well versed in all aspects of Instructional Leadership. Her proven and highly successful record of working with staff and the community to maximize learning outcomes for all students is exemplary," stated Hernandez.

Hernadez said Mrs. Gethings' "can-do" attitude is "infectious," and noted that, for the past three years, Fair Haven Middle School has attained the highest rating on the New Haven dstrict's school climate survey.