Lyme-Old Lyme Schools has announced that Allison Hine has been named principal of Lyme Consolidated School and will begin her position July 1.

Hine, a resident of Old Lyme, is currently the principal of Brownstone Intermediate School in Portland. She replaces Jim Cavalieri, who is retiring after 44 years in education, 20 of those as principal of Lyme Consolidated School.

Hine has more than 20 years of experience as a classroom teacher and administrator. In addition to her work at Brownstone Intermediate School, she has served as the assistant principal and as social studies curriculum coordinator for the Stonington Public Schools. She began her career in education as an elementary school teacher for the Old Saybrook Schools.

Hine previously served on the Board of Education for the Lyme-Old Lyme Schools and has been an active volunteer with Lymes’ Youth Services Bureau and numerous other community organizations.

“We are pleased to have Mrs. Hine join us in her new role as principal of Lyme Consolidated School. Mrs. Hine’s dedication and passion for our schools stood out during the interview process,” said Ian Neviaser, superintendent of Lyme-Old Lyme Schools.

The selection process began in February and yielded more than 40 applicants. A selection committee composed of over 25 people conducted several rounds of interviews as well as a site visit.

A community forum and survey were also conducted as part of the selection process. Teachers, staff members, parents and community members were asked to rank the characteristics of a leader they deemed most important, as well as provide responses to a series of questions.

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