Todd Gazda applauds during a past student award ceremony during his time as Ludlow superintendent.
Republican file photo
HUNTINGTON — Gateway Regional Superintendent Kristen Smidy has announced that Todd Gazda has been selected as the interim principal of Chester Elementary School for the upcoming school year.
“Gazda brings decades of experience in public education and is known for his steady leadership and student-centered approach. He also has strong ties to our community,” Smidy said.
A graduate of Chester Elementary himself, he began his teaching career at Gateway after transitioning from a career in law. He later served as principal at both Chester Elementary and Gateway Regional Middle School, and went on to lead the Ludlow Public Schools as superintendent. Most recently, he served as executive director of the Collaborative for Educational Services.
Gazda has a doctorate in education from the University of Hartford and a master’s in education from Westfield State University, as well as a doctor of jurisprudence from the Columbus School of Law in Washington, D.C. Smidy said Gazda is eager to return to school-based leadership and is excited to “come home.”
Gazda, who grew up in Middlefield and now lives in West Hartford, said he is very excited. “I’m going back to the school I went to as a kid, in the old brick school in the middle of town. Even though I grew up in Middlefield, all my friends were from Chester. I’m really looking forward to getting back to a school and working directly with students and families, and being able to do it in a community I care about is deeply fulfilling.”
Gazda’s father also served as principal of Gateway Regional High School for 17 years. “Gateway is a part of me. It helped to make me who I am,” he said, adding that his parents now live in Westfield, and he will be able to stop and see them on his commute.
Since he left Gateway Regional 13 years ago as both the middle school principal and principal of Chester Elementary, Gazda has served as a superintendent in Ludlow and director of the Collaborative for Educational Services. He said he learned a lot during those years, and he’s excited to bring back what he’s learned to Chester.
“The further I moved along in my career, while having a larger impact on a larger group of students, the further away I got from working directly with students and families, and that’s what I want to get back into,” he said.
Gazda will start in the new interim position on July 16, which is for a year, but he said he will apply for the permanent position. “I’m hoping to stay,” he said.
“This appointment followed a thoughtful and inclusive hiring process led by a screening committee. I want to extend my sincere thanks to the members of the committee for their time, care, and commitment to the process: Heather Cabral, Mikayla Menin, Chris Tamburrino, Missy McCaul, and Jeana Briggs,” said Smidy.
Gazda will be in touch in the coming weeks to schedule a meet-and-greet with families. “We hope you will take the opportunity to say hello and welcome him back to Chester,” Smidy added.
Wraparound program update
In response to family feedback requesting extended care options and voucher acceptance, wraparound care at Chester Elementary will now be operated by the Greater Westfield YMCA, as it is for Littleville Elementary. This partnership will allow for longer hours and greater flexibility for payment options, as requested by families. More information is available in the flyer that can be found at tinyurl.com/5p9fak2r.
For questions about wrap-around, reach out to Michelle Anamisis, youth development director, at manamisis@westfieldymca.org.
