New principal at Plantsville School

By Lisa Capobianco
Staff Writer
A crowd of educators and other members of the Southington community stood up and cheered during a recent school board meeting as Stephen Bergin received a framed professional photograph displaying the hands of a first grade class at Plantsville Elementary School.
The photograph, presented by a group of teachers, marks the beginning of Bergin’s new role as the principal of Plantsville Elementary School. Last week, the Board of Education voted unanimously to appoint Bergin as the new principal. He will start July 1 with an annual salary of $133,541. He replaces Principal Pat Corvello, who is retiring.
“I’m thrilled,” said Bergin, adding how honored he feels to be the new principal. “I can’t wait to go in and meet the students…I can’t wait for the first day of school.”
Holding a Bachelor of Science in psychology and a Master of Arts in teaching, Bergin has currently served as the principal of Turkey Hill School in Orange since 2012. Prior to his career in Orange, Bergin was the principal of Dunbar Hill School in Hamden from 2007 until 2012. He was also the assistant principal of Greens Farms Elementary School in Westport.
Board of Education Chairman Brian Goralski said Bergin stood out through his experiences as a school principal and “his ability to communicate, his passion to lead a school, and his understanding of Southington.”
“His enthusiasm for Southington shined through the process,” said Goralski.
“It’s something that is really surreal,” said Bergin, adding that he also looks forward to working with the new Southington Superintendent of Schools, Tim Connellan. “Leaving the district is always stressful, and it’s always bittersweet. “But through the process, through learning about Southington, through meeting all the people I saw the true dedication to students, I saw the community, I saw a place I just want to call home.”