WESTBROOK - Soon there will be a new school leader in town. Last week the Board of Education voted to name Patricia A. Ciccone to succeed departing Superintendent of Schools Patricia Charles as the Westbrook district's next superintendent.

Ciccone recently served as superintendent of the Connecticut Technical High School System.

In commenting on the board's choice, Board Chair Maureen Westbrook said, "The board was impressed with Ms. Ciccone and believes she will be a strong educational leader for our district. Simply put, we feel she is a great fit for Westbrook. She is clearly a highly respected, experienced professional with strong communication skills and a real passion for education."

The board had 16 applicants for the superintendent of schools position. Seven were interviewed by the board based on their experience and credentials and the fit between their attributes and those that focus groups and the community survey identified as important. The board conducted second interviews with three finalists before choosing Ciccone.

"I couldn't be happier to be joining the Westbrook Public Schools as their new superintendent," said Ciccone. "The opportunity to work in Westbrook, a school district that has really always put the achievement needs of their students first, is a privilege."

Ciccone began her career in education as an English teacher at Norwich Free Academy in the 1970s. From that beginning, she moved on to work in career and human resources at two Connecticut community colleges followed by a shift into school administration of Connecticut technical schools. In 2001, she was selected as the assistant principal of Ellis Technical High School in Danielson. After holding several administrative posts in the technical high school system, she was chosen to be interim superintendent in 2009.

Here education includes a bachelor's degree in English, a master's degree, a sixth-year administrative certificate, and the educational certificate qualifying her to work as a superintendent of schools. She also has earned a master's degree in counseling and higher education administration and a master's equivalent in special education earned while teaching at NFA.

Westbrook said the board plans to have school administrators and representatives of the district's schools, its parents, and members of the community meet with Ciccone before she starts in the system in January. The goal of these get-acquainted meetings would be to "help her get an understanding of the people and priorities of Westbrook," said Westbrook.

Ciccone has signed a three-year contract with the Westbrook Board of Education that includes a base salary of $152,000 plus a benefits package.

Cooperative Educational Services coordinated the search process.