Bristol parents protest principal selection for Central High School

BRISTOL, Conn. (WFSB) - Parents and alumni are protesting the superintendent’s decision to hire outside the district for the Bristol Central High School principal opening.

The current principal is retiring after 16 years at Bristol Central. Vice Principal Ryan Broderick has worked in the district for 20 years.

Dozens packed a school board meeting last week to protest what they believe is an unfair decision.

A petition on Change.org has more than 1,900 signatures pushing for Broderick.

Superintendent responds to backlash

The district has not made official who it is hiring, and the Board of Education has not voted to confirm the superintendent’s recommendation.

After the backlash, Superintendent Iris White sent a letter to parents and staff.

“We recognize that many of you are disappointed that Ryan Broderick is not the candidate being recommended,” White wrote. “Your feelings are valid and we do not take your concerns lightly.”

White added that the superintendent’s selection reflects careful deliberation.

Part of the Bristol Central community created a video pushing for Broderick to be the next principal.

“Dr. Ryan Broderick has spent his career here, not passing through, not building a resume, but building a school,” the video states.

Mathew Biadun, who graduated from Bristol Central in 2023, said Broderick is one of the faculty he looks up to the most. Biadun is working on becoming a teacher.

“He’s a stunning candidate for any district and Bristol is lucky he’s given 20 years to Bristol and our district and it’s unfortunate they don’t seem to want to let him any more,” Biadun said.

Biadun said the situation raises questions about internal promotion and how the district values the community’s feedback.

“When someone’s been there 20 years and does everything right and doesn’t get it anyway, it brings up a lot of questions about internal promotion, what you value in a district, how you’re treating workers and how we’re valuing the community and their feedback,” he said.

Biadun said as the community gives more feedback, minds could be changed.