The Vernon Board of Education on Monday unanimously appointed Dr. Jennifer L. Hills-Papetti as the next superintendent of the Vernon Public Schools. She starts in Vernon on Aug. 10.

She replaces Dr. Joseph P. Macary, who served Vernon for 11 years and started on Monday as superintendent in Middletown.

Dr. Hills-Papetti was selected from a pool of 40 candidates. She comes to Vernon from the New London Public Schools, where she has served as assistant superintendent since 2021.

Before that, Hills-Papetti served as director of curriculum, instruction and assessment in New London and principal of Gov. William Pitkin School in East Hartford. Before becoming an administrator, she taught sixth grade and technology for 14 years at East Hartford’s Sunset Ridge School. She lives in Glastonbury.

“Welcome, Dr. Hills-Papetti,” Board of Education Chairman Paul Grabowski said after the board voted to appoint her. “We’re very excited to have you here in Vernon.”

The board conducted focus groups to learn what the community wanted in a superintendent and it listened, Grabowski said.

“They are looking for someone, as are we, who is engaged, who is visible, who is out in the community, who knows how to recruit and retain good teachers, and also knows how to motivate people,” Grabowski said. “Throughout the interview process, as well as when talking to references, it was very clear you are that person. We do wholeheartedly believe you are the person that will help move Vernon forward.”

Dr. Macary praised the board for its decision. “I just spent 90 minutes with our new superintendent elect,” he told the board. “You made a great choice, an outstanding choice.”

He said Hills-Papetti’s experience as a teacher and administrator in an alliance district will be beneficial to Vernon. He also noted that she is passionate about pre-kindergarten education and making it happen.

“That’s what we want in Vernon,” Dr. Macary said.

Dr. Hills-Papetti thanked the board for the honor of being selected as the next superintendent and to have the opportunity to lead the Vernon Public Schools.

“I know I have big shoes to fill but I look forward to working with everybody - community, families, students, staff – and to moving everything forward to the next step,” she said.