WEST HAVEN — A science, engineering and astronomy teacher who has spent his entire 11-year teaching career at West Haven High School is stepping into a new role, filling the assistant principal position that has been vacant since this summer.
Michael Barraco received unanimous approval from the Board of Education Monday to begin serving as the high school’s assistant principal.
“I’m very excited about the opportunity. I’m very humbled and very excited,” he said after the vote. “My biggest hope is to help and guide the students toward a fulfilling life and career.”
Superintendent of Schools Neil Cavallaro said Barraco emerged as the top choice from nine internal applicants.
“Mike’s sincerity, his passion for the profession, and his strong desire to reach out to the community and work with all stakeholders at the high school are the qualities that came through during the process, and I’m confident he will do an outstanding job in his new role,” Cavallaro said in an emailed statement.
In his letter of recommendation to the Board of Education, Cavallaro noted Barraco’s prior experience as an operations manager for multiple ALDI store facilities as offering him useful managerial experience.
Barraco is also the school’s Title IX coordinator and coach of the girls tennis team.
West Haven High School Principal Dana Paredes said she was “happy to have him on the team.”
