Keigwin Special Education Teacher Named Interim Farm Hill Principal

Keigwin Middle School special education teacher Mark F. Proffitt, 53, of Southington will take over as interim principal starting Monday, filling the spot vacated yesterday by Patricia Girard, who announced she is taking leave of absence to spend more time with family, according Middletown Superintendent of Schools Dr. Michael Frechette.

Proffitt "has a longstanding tenure in the district as a very successful principal [of Spencer and Lawrence and Wesley elementary schools] and teacher," according to Frechette's letter.

Proffitt will serve throughout the remainder of the 2011-2012 school year.

In 1995, Proffitt took over for retiring Lawrence principal Hal Kaplan. At the time, Lawrence school had a special education program houses there, called DEAL, which helped students with emotional and social issues as well as academic teaching.

Proffitt, who holds a masters degree, graduated from Southern Connecticut State University and became a special education teacher in Wallingford in 1980. He also has taught in the Cheshire school system.