Madison School District honors teachers, nurses and student leaders; Daniel Hand principal named state principal of the year

The Madison Board of Education held a special meeting on May 6 to recognize staff and students across the district and to celebrate Daniel Hand High School principal Anthony R. Solutary Jr. for a statewide honor.

Superintendent Dr. Cook opened the superintendent's report by thanking school staff and PTOs for events during Teacher Appreciation Week (May 4–8). He praised the district's teaching corps, saying he “firmly believe[s] we have the best collection of 300 teachers in the state.” Mike Ginsburg, a teacher at Pulson and president of the teachers association, thanked the community for its support and noted that signs backing the district budget had been stolen but that community support remained strong.

The board also recognized School Nurses Day (May 6). Melissa Anderson, a school health nurse from Pulson, thanked the board and described school nurses' evolving responsibilities, saying they support “children not only in moments of illness or injury, but also during times of anxiety, uncertainty, and growth” and serve as a bridge among families, schools and health-care providers.

Madison presented student leadership awards under criteria from the Connecticut Association of Schools’ CAPE program. Pulson Middle School nominees included Farah Felgrino, honored for academic performance and leadership in the Excel club and community service, and Vincent Constantino, recognized for peer-support work and contributions to school culture. At the high-school level, recipients included Grace Acriman, cited for academic achievement and service as a student representative to the Madison Board of Education and to the Madison Youth and Family Services Board, and Aiden Brennan, described as a scholar‑athlete with national merit recognition and community service experience.

The meeting's final major item honored Anthony R. Solutary Jr., principal of Daniel Hand High School, who was presented with a citation recognizing him as the 2026 Connecticut High School Principal of the Year. State Senator Christine Cohen and State Representative John Michael Parker attended; Parker read a citation from the Connecticut General Assembly acknowledging Solutary’s leadership and the school's state and national recognitions. Board members praised Solutary’s focus on student belonging and staff trust; Solutary said he makes “decisions that are in the best interest of students” and called the award a reflection of the district and community.

There was no public testimony during the community participation period. The board moved to adjourn after the recognitions; a motion was seconded and the meeting concluded.