New principal appointed to Jefferson Elementary School
NORWALK — The next principal of Jefferson Elementary School will be a familiar face for students and teachers.
Cesar Nina, Jefferson’s acting interim principal, was appointed as the permanent principal at the city’s Board of Education meeting on Wednesday.
“It’s been an absolute honor to represent and serve the Jefferson school community,” Nina told board members. “I will continue to remain consistent, transparent and dedicated to our schools. I love what I do. I love being an educator. This is my passion.”
Nina, a former principal in New York City, joined the Norwalk school district last fall and has served in an interim position at Jefferson for the last five months. His elevation to principal was approved unanimously.
The Jefferson Student Governance Council, an 11-person advisory board made up of parents and school staff, had urged the board to vote in favor of approval. In a letter, the council said Nina’s ap
pointment would end a “revolving door of administrators” that had created a sense of unease among parents, students and staff.
“The Jefferson SHC is confident that Mr. Nina is the best candidate for principal at our school. He shows dedication and compassion in all that he does,” the council wrote. “Allowing Mr. Nina to remain at Jefferson would provide the consistency and stability that our community has been lacking.”
Nina, who is fluent in Spanish, graduated from Lehman College with a degree in English, and earned a dual master’s degrees in special and general education from Touro College. He is certified in educational administration from the College of Saint Rose, according to the Jefferson website.
Nina began his educational career as a paraeducator in the Bronx, N.Y. He spent a decade as a special education teacher and supervisor before moving into an administrative role. He most recently served as the principal of PS/MS 007 Samuel Stern in Manhattan, where he oversaw more than 450 students from preschool to grade 8.
Since joining Jefferson, Nina has hosted a series of bilingual town halls for parents, created a weekly newsletter for staff members and started an enrichment program to help students who are struggling with remote learning, according to the Jefferson SGC.
“It is very clear that his extensive experience in New York has prepared him for this role here at Jefferson,” the SGC wrote in their letter to board members.
Nina’s appointment comes at a time of significant change for Jefferson, which serves about 500 students. The building, located in Spring Hill, is currently undergoing renovations that are expected to last two years. In the meantime, students are taking classes at nearby Ponus Ridge Middle School.
The ongoing renovation project will result in a new gymnasium, playground, kitchen and exterior design which will allow for easier students drop-offs. School officials have said the renovation will also create more classroom space in the 45-year-old building.
Nicholas Brophy, the previous Jefferson principal, earned $157,839 a year, according to city earnings reports.
Also at Wednesday’s board meeting, Superintendent Alexandra Estrella announced Carla MonteiroWalsh, the site director at Tracey Magnet School, will serve as the new acting interim principal of Fox Run Elementary School.