Gaudet principal chosen as new Middletown superintendent. What to know.

Middletown Public Schools has found a new superintendent in one of its own: the principal of Gaudet Middle School.

The School Committee unanimously voted to hire William “Billy” Niemeyer as the school department’s new superintendent at a meeting Monday evening. Niemeyer will take on the role left by former superintendent Rosemarie Kraeger, who retired from her 26-year position in August 2023. He is set to begin his tenure on July 1.

“All of this is very exciting,” School Committee chair Theresa Spengler said in a press release about the announcement. “We have a strong district and I know we all want to make it even better. That’s our goal and Mr. Niemeyer’s goal. There are so many good things happening here in Middletown and with Mr. Niemeyer at the helm we are confident he is going to continue to build on those and keep our momentum moving in the right direction.”

Although he may be new to the position, Niemeyer is no stranger to Middletown Public Schools. He was hired as the new principal for Gaudet Middle School in 2021 and has been an active member of the School Building Committee, the group responsible for overseeing the construction of Middletown’s new middle-high school.

Before arriving in Middletown, Niemeyer worked in Providence, serving as the principal for Frank D. Spaziano Elementary School and, prior to that, as assistant principal at Central High School.

With its principal moving up the ranks, Gaudet Middle School is expected to advertise for a new principal as soon as this week, according to the town press release on the announcement.

Middletown Public Schools hired the New England School Development Council, a private not-for-profit organization from Marlborough, Massachusetts, in conducting their nationwide search for a new superintendent, which ultimately yielded 18 applicants. On Monday night, Spengler said Niemeyer was chosen based on his qualifications, skill set, leadership abilities and references.

Following the vote that approved him as the new superintendent, Niemeyer addressed the school committee, saying he was “humbled and excited” to take on his new role. With everything going on, such as the progress of the new school, new partnerships and grants, Niemeyer said he feels the school district is on the cusp of greatness.

“We’re at a critical time in Middletown for our school system,” Niemeyer said to the committee Monday night. “We have an opportunity to continue the successes of this committee and Ms. Kraeger that have been going on for years now and I look forward to new opportunities in the future for us.”

This article originally appeared on Newport Daily News: Gaudet principal William Niemeyer chosen as Middletown superintendent