Naugatuck Catholic School Principal to Step Down in June

John Salatto, the principal of in Naugatuck, is leaving at the end of the school year.

Salatto informed the school Monday that he will stay on until June 30, at which point he will resign from his post and not return for the 2012-13 school year, according to a letter issued to students on Tuesday. The Rev. Michael Slusz confirmed the resignation.

“Right now, we’re working with the Office of Catholic Schools in search of a new candidate,” Slusz said.

In a copy of the letter, obtained by Patch, Slusz wrote, “Dr. Salatto shared many gifts with the St. Francis-St. Hedwig School community. We are grateful for his efforts and wish him well in the future.”

When asked why Salatto is stepping down, Slusz told Patch it was a personal resignation and any information beyond that would best come from Salatto directly. The principal couldn’t be reached for further comment by the time of this posting.

Salatto came over to St. Francis-St. Hedwig School last summer after the two longtime K-8 Catholic institutions under a new, hyphenated name. Previously, he served as principal at St. Hedwig School right up until its closing in June 2011.

The just to remain financially viable, and under Salatto’s direction the school reached near capacity at roughly 230 students.

Bernice Rizk, chairman of the St. Francis-St. Hedwig School Board, said the all the people she has spoken with were sorry to see him go.

“The kids are so happy in the school, so that’s where you see the fruits of his labors,” Rizk said.

One of the concerns that arose was the difference between the two Catholic schools. Both had years of tradition, established alumni and two different cultures, lending to questions as to whether St. Hedwig students would even want to be under the same roof as St. Francis students.

When asked whether Salatto could be credited for the student population exceeding its base goal of 218, Rizk said she was “sure that the parents of St. Hedwig spoke to him about their concerns” relating to the cultural issue.

“I know he did a lot to merge both of the cultures,” Rizk said. “I know he has obviously successfully merged the two cultures because the kids are happy. It’s a nice safe, comfortable educational environment to be in.”

Dale Hoyt, superintendent of Catholic schools for the Archdiocese of Hartford, said it one of Salatto’s goals to oversee the merger and that he was “very grateful for (Salatto)” for achieving that goal.

Hoyt also noted that a school principal has to notify the archdiocese of his or her plans for the following school year by March 15.

As for the 2012-13 school year, Hoyt said his office will be working with Slusz and with a search committee to find a replacement. The job will be posted by the Office of Catholic Schools and the committee will likely be made up of local school officials, Rizk said.