Dean of Students

Newtown High School added a new administrative position this fall to deal with attendance and discipline, hiring former Newtown student LeeAnn Browett.

Immediately before taking the Dean of Students position at NHS, Browett worked at Amity Regional High School in Woodbridge for many years teaching social studies. She also held district and school leadership positions.

The Dean of Students position was created to work with Principal Dr. Kim Longobucco and Assistant Principals Dave Roach and PaulRibeiro to improve and reduce chronic absenteeism at Newtown High School.

“We monitor students throughout the school day and at extracurricular events, addressing school discipline issues, working on various school committees, etc. Additionally, I am here to support students. I realize that sounds like a broad statement, but mostly that involves students seeking me out to help them resolve and troubleshoot issues and conflicts,”Browett said.

One change  is that the Dean of Students is now the one to assign after school detentions for class cuts, and other conduct.

Before the addition of this new position, discipline was handled by teachers who volunteered as part of their contractual duties. Browett’s addition has allowed the administration to streamline discipline as it ties to tardies and cuts. It also helps put standard practices in place to ultimately cut down on these infractions long term resulting in more class time for students. In any case, consistency might be the key.

“In the past, several teachers were assigned a duty to do that work.” Browett said.