The Lyme-Old Lyme school district announced in a news release Friday the appointment of three members of the administrative staff.

For the upcoming school year, Michelle Dean, who has served as the assistant principal for Lyme-Old Lyme High School, will serve as Interim Principal of Lyme-Old Lyme Middle School while Ellen Tyler is on a one-year leave of absence.

“For the past three years Mrs. Dean has earned the respect of the entire Region #18 community in her role as the Assistant Principal of Lyme-Old Lyme High School," Superintendent Ian Neviaser said in a statement. "Her leadership has been a key component of the ongoing success of the school. Mrs. Dean’s drive and passion will allow for a seamless transition in leadership at the middle school furthering the great work of Mrs. Tyler, the students, and the staff.”

In Dean’s absence, Heather Fitzgibbons will serve as Interim Assistant Principal at Lyme-Old Lyme High School. She joined the district on Friday.

Fitzgibbons previously served as the Assistant Headmaster for Academics at the Saint Bernard School. A graduate of Skidmore College, Fitzgibbons earned a Master of Education in Curriculum Development from DePaul University and completed the Education Leadership Program at Sacred Heart University. She has taught science in Connecticut, New York and Illinois.    

Neil Sullivan has been appointed to the role of Assistant Principal at Lyme-Old Lyme Middle School and will join the district on Aug. 24. Sullivan currently serves in the same capacity at Torrington Middle School and has taught English in Connecticut and Illinois.

Sullivan is a graduate of Fairfield University, holds a master's degree from DePaul University and completed his sixth year work at Southern Connecticut State University.

“I, along with the Board of Education, am extremely pleased with the quality of candidates that showed an interest in working in our district," Neviaser said in the statement. "Mr. Sullivan and Ms. Fitzgibbons will be great additions to what is a very strong administrative unit. I encourage all members of our school community to stop in and meet these two exceptional educators."