NORTH BRANFORD - Following a search initiated earlier this year, the Board of Education (BOE) has named Carter Welch, Ed.D., as the next principal of Jerome Harrison Elementary School.

Welch will officially begin his duties on July 1, but he is no stranger to the school district. He has been serving as North Branford High School (NBHS) assistant principal since 2010, where he also oversees several leadership, evaluation, assessment, and learning programs and district-wide programs, including his role as district and school coordinator of School Climate & Behavior training and implementation. Welch was NBHS Dean of Students (2008-'10) and the district's K-12 coordinator for Health and Physical Education (2005-'11), as well as an NBHS Health and PE teacher (2002-'10).

Welch's education includes degrees from UConn (B.S., sports medicine 1999; doctor of educational leadership 2011,; executive leadership program, 2012) and SCSU (master of education, school health 2002; master of science, exercise science 2003; Certificate of Advanced Study, 2006). Welch was named a NASSP Connecticut Assistant Principal of the Year Semi-Finalist (2011) and a North Branford Teacher of the Year (2006) and is also a recipient of educational awards from the Governor's Task Force on the Safe School Climate (2011) and UConn Neag School of Education Research Award (2011). He is a Guilford resident.

"I'm thrilled with the appointment of Dr. Carter Welch as principal at Jerome Harrison School," said Superintendent of Schools Scott Schoonmaker. "Carter has established himself as a true leader and one who will continue on in his role as principal. He's been a dedicated employee and he's proven his ability to lead through many initiatives he's chaired in our district."