Paul Otten








At Thursday’s night school board meeting, several key announcements were made and positions filled.

Paul Otten, the principal at the Middle School, was named as the district’s assistant superintendent. The board approved a three-year contract for Otten, who will start his new duties on July 1.

Related to that, Billy Smith was named as the new principal at the Middle School. Smith will also begin his new duties on July 1.

“I’m looking forward very much to having Paul on board to help lead our district,” said Superintendent Cathy Milligan.

Otten first joined the district in 1997 as a fifth-grade teacher at the Intermediate School. In 1999 he became an assistant principal, splitting his time between North and East elementary schools. In 2000 he became the assistant principal assigned only to North. He was named principal in 2001 at East Elementary and served there until 2007, when he became principal at the Middle School.

Smith began his career in the Fairfield School District as a teacher at the Middle School in 1997. In 2005 he became dean of students and in 2006 was named assistant principal.

Also on Thursday night, William Miller, currently with the Middletown School District, was named as the secondary curriculum coordinator. He will replace Dr. Carol Hallman, who is retiring. He will begin his duties in Fairfield on July 1.

In the athletic area, Patrick O’Leary was named as head coach of the girls varsity basketball team. O'Leary, a teacher at the Middle School and currently an assistant coach on the girls team, will replace Larry Price, who is resigning as the head coach. Price will continue to be the head coach on the varsity baseball team.