Familiar Face Joins Stamford as Scofield Middle School Principal

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QUICK FACTS:

WHO: Scott Clayton

WHAT: Approved by BOE as new principal

WHERE: Scofield Middle School

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Scott Clayton, 38, will be returing to the Stamford Public School District. This time, he'll join the ranks as a principal after getting his footing there as a teacher years ealier. Currently, he's the assistant principal at Newtown Public School in New York.

"It's pretty exciting," Clayton said. "It's always validating to hear people telling me they don't want me to leave, but it's more validating to be asked to come back to somewhere I started."

Clayton, who fancy's himself pretty tech-savvy, was confirmed as the new hire during the same meeting that the Board of Education passed a new Social Media Policy.

Among other things, the policy seeks to provide students and teachers with more comprehensive protection from themselves and others. The new rules aim to create a more harmonious atmosphere within the school by limiting when and how students and teachers use social sites with a focus on stopping bullying, maintaining a happy environment and limiting contact between teachers and students. 

"I was the principal [of then-Rippowam Magnate Middle School] in 1995 when Scott joined," said Dr. Winifred Hamilton, Interim Superintendent for Stamford Public Schools. "He was there for four or five years and taught eighth grade social studies. He was very well respected and well regarded by everyone at the time."

Clayton said he's ready to get down to business. He's got a lot he'd like to accomplish and is hoping he can act as a voice for the reform so many would like to see come to education in Stamford.

"There's an overwhelming sense of committment [from teachers in Stamford]," Clayton said. "It wasn't a place just anyone could teach. It's non-stop over-committment with people here."