Waterford — The Board of Education has appointed Thomas Giard as superintendent of schools following a four-month search.

Most recently assistant superintendent in Meriden, Giard has professional roots in eastern Connecticut. He taught middle school in Salem and Columbia in the mid-1990s and served as assistant principal in Colchester. He then served in Montville as a middle school assistant principal and principal.

He has been in Meriden since 2010, as director of personnel and then his current position of assistant superintendent for personnel and staff development, according to a statement from the Waterford board.

According to the statement, Giard actively has been involved in the writing of Meriden's improvement plan, budget development and monitoring and negotiation with his district’s bargaining groups, participating in the institution of major changes in health insurance that reduced costs and staved off reductions and layoffs.

Consistent with a belief in educating the whole child, the statement says, the new superintendent is committed to investing in staff members' personal and professional growth and "believes an investment in the staff is an investment in the students."

Giard received his B.A. in social studies and education from Eastern Connecticut State University, his master's degree in special education from Southern Connecticut State University and his sixth year in educational leadership from Sacred Heart University.

The statement says he also holds Connecticut certification in middle grades teaching; administration; and as superintendent of schools. He serves as an adjunct professor at the Griswold campus of Sacred Heart University.

Waterford teachers, staff, parents, business leaders and community members participated in the search, which was guided by the New England School Development Council.