The Bozrah Board of Education has appointed John J. Welch as superintendent, effective July 1.

Welch has served as the superintendent in Preston for the past 12 years and will retire from that role in June, according to a news release from the Bozrah Board of Education. The Bozrah position is part time, and Welch will be working about two days a week. He has served as a superintendent of schools for 27 years, with his first 15 years in Massachusetts school districts.

The board voted unanimously on March 7 to appoint Welch.

He holds a bachelor of science degree in elementary and special education from Boston University, a master's degree in guidance from Framingham State University, and a doctorate in educational leadership from Boston College. He currently is earning a master's degree in law from California Southern University.

"It is an honor to be selected by the Board of Education to serve as Bozrah's Superintendent of Schools," Welch said. "I look forward to working with the board, principal, teachers and staff as well as other stakeholders within the community to ensure that Bozrah's children continue to receive a quality education."

The Bozrah Board of Education served as the superintendent search committee, which was chaired by Deborah Smith. They interviewed six semi-finalists and two finalists.

"Dr. Welch emerged as the unanimous choice from this very strong pool," said the news release.

Mary Broderick, search services consultant for the Connecticut Association of Boards of Education, conducted focus groups and a survey to define the qualities of an ideal superintendent for Bozrah. She created a leadership profile, which became a blueprint for screening applicants, according to the release.