Interim principals to take on jobs full-time at Dolan, Rippowam middle schools

STAMFORD — Interim principals at two of the three biggest middle schools in Stamford were named full-time principals at a virtual meeting of the Stamford Board of Education Tuesday night.

Kristina Colmenares, who had taken over for Matthew Laskowski as the interim principal at Rippowam Middle School this year, was named the permanent chief of the school.

Colmenares was previously the assistant principal at the Academy of Information Technology & Engineering. She became the Rippowam interim principal after Laskowski was named the district’s new director of access and opportunity for secondary schools at the beginning of the school year.

During the board meeting, Superintendent Tamu Lucero said she personally reached out to Colmenares after Laskowski’s departure.

“I gave her a call and said, ‘Could you do me a favor and become the interim principal at Rippowam?’ “Lucero said, during the meeting. “And she quickly said yes and we’re so glad that she did.”

Seven members of the board voted in favor of naming Colmenares the principal of Rippowam, the largest middle school in the district by student population. Two members abstained from voting.

Board president Jackie Heftman highlighted one of Colmenares’ qualities when explaining her reason for supporting the new Rippowam school leader.

“Your enthusiasm for this position was absolutely incredible at your interview,” Heftman said. “That counts for a lot.”

Colmenares said she moved to Stamford six years ago and chose the city to raise a family.

“I’m so honored to be the principal of Rippowam,” she said.

Also during the meeting, Joseph Claps, Jr. was named the full-time principal at Dolan Middle School, the third largest middle school in Stamford. He has served as the interim principal since the beginning of the school year, after taking over for previous principal Charmaine Tourse.

Tourse was named the district’s director of recruitment and retention last summer.

Claps, a Stamford native, was an assistant principal at Julia A. Stark Elementary school from 2014 to 2022. Before that, he was an administrative intern for one year at Cloonan Middle School, where he was a sixth grade teacher from 2008 to 2013.

Claps started his Stamford Public Schools career as a fifth grade teacher at Roxbury Elementary School from 2002 to 2008.

Claps’ nomination was supported by six members of the Board of Education. Two abstained and member Jackie Pioli voted against the appointment.

After winning the full-time job, Claps dedicated the moment to a dear family member.

“Tonight’s appointment is dedicated to my grandmother,” he said. “She was a widowed mother of four and worked in the cafeterias of Stamford

for over 40 years. To her, principal is bigger than president.”

Member Michael Hyman said he was impressed with both candidates.

“What I was so pleased with was the amount of time that both of these candidates spent talking about leadership within the school building and what they would do to affect the type of culture that would make a difference,” he said. “I’m hoping that that will shine through.”

Colmenares was the assistant principal at AITE for two years. Previously, she spent 15 years at New York City’s Facing History School, of which she was a founding member. At that school, Colmenares taught English and was an assistant principal for nine years.

She holds a bachelor’s degree in English from Boston College and a master’s degree in education from the Teacher’s College at Columbia University.

Claps holds a bachelor’s degree in economics from the University of Connecticut and a master’s degree in education from Sacred Heart University. Claps also earned a certification in educational administration and supervision from the University of Bridgeport.

“I’ve truly been blessed to spend my entire career in the same city where I live and send my own three children to school,” said Claps, in a press release from the school district. “My life is rooted in Stamford, and I couldn’t be prouder or more invigorated for the opportunity to lead the great community we have here at Dolan Middle School.”