Board approves two internal hires as elementary principals

The Farmington Public School District Board of Education on June 17 approved the appointments of two internal candidates to principal roles: Laura Korolewski as principal of Gill Elementary and Jennifer Dibella as principal of Longacre Elementary.

Assistant Superintendent Brad Paddock introduced both candidates during district updates and recommended them for approval. Paddock noted Korolewski began with Farmington Public Schools in 2008 as a first-grade teacher and has served in multiple district buildings, including as a tiered support lead teacher at Gill since February 2024 and kindergarten camp supervisor since February 2022. He said Korolewski described serving as Gill's principal as "simply a dream and a dream job." Korolewski spoke briefly and thanked the board; she described her experience in classroom and instructional-leadership roles and her commitment to Gill's staff and students.

Paddock also recommended Jennifer Dibella to succeed Rhonda Henry at Longacre. Dibella has taught second grade at Longacre since 2018, previously worked at other district schools and served as an instructional coach and equity lead. Paddock said Dibella articulated a vision for advancing the Leader in Me initiative at Longacre and preparing staff and students for the building's next chapter. Dibella thanked the board and said she would draw upon mentors and district supports in her new role.

Both appointments were part of the meeting's consent agenda (personnel items) and were approved when the board voted to adopt the consent agenda. Trustees who spoke during the district-update portion of the meeting congratulated both candidates and praised the district's internal growth and retention efforts.

Paddock and the superintendent's office said each principal is expected to begin in the role next month pending standard administrative preparations.