NYS Principal Named to Darien Secondary Ed Post

A New York State principal with extensive teaching experience and a military background will join Darien Public Schools this fall as assistant superintendent for secondary education, following a vote Tuesday by the Board of Education.

Matthew Byrnes, who has held the top spot at Brewster High School since 2004, was nominated for the post by Superintendent of Schools Stephen Falcone and unanimously approved by the board at its regular meeting.

The position has sat vacant since Byrnes' predecessor, Falcone, succeeded the retiring Don Fiftal as superintendent on June 30.

"I am pleased to recommend Mr. Matthew Byrnes as our assistant superintendent for secondary education for Darien Public Schools," Falcone told the board.

As principal of Brewster High, Byrnes helped improve student achievement on the Regents Examinations through inquiry-based approaches, a broad use of assessments, and collaborative teaming, Falcone said.

Byrnes is "held in high regard by students, parents, and teachers because of his desire to solve problems collaboratively, maintain a focus on instruction, and promote a school culture of respect," Falcone added.

A native of New Jersey, Byrnes previously taught English at San Francisco State University and Balboa High School in San Francisco. He also served as a dean of students, assistant principal, and principal at Novato High School in Novato, Calif.

In addition to being an educator, Byrnes served in the U.S. Army for three years as a first lieutenant and worked in the banking industry.

Byrnes holds an M.A. in English, composition, and pedagogy from San Francisco State University along with a second master's in educational administration from the University of California at Berkeley. He is the co-author of a paper titled "Enabling High Schools to Assess Schoolwide Results of Reform."

Byrnes is expected to begin work after Oct. 1.