Waterbury Elementary Principal Suspended After School Trip

A Waterbury elementary school principal has been placed on paid administrative leave days after returning from a school trip to China, according to the superintendent.

Superintendent Dr. Kathleen Ouellette declined to comment on the investigation into Carrington Elementary School principal Kevin Brennan but said it relates to the trip.

Brennan accompanied 10 students in kindergarten through eighth grade and 10 adult chaperones to China over April vacation.

Ouellette broke the news to parents in a letter Friday and said supervising vice principal Karen Renna will lead the school in his absence.

"Parents and guardians should be assured that high levels of teaching and learning will continue during this period," Ouellette wrote.

School officials have not revealed any details of Brennan's suspension. The Waterbury Police Department declined to comment except to say police helped with part of the investigation.

Parents said the news comes as a surprise.

"It was pretty much of a shock to me only because I've known him for so long and he's a great principal," said parent Diane Crespo. "When it comes to being the principal of the school, he's been absolutely phenomenal. He's been very, very involved with the children, with the parents, and always made us feel very, very welcome at the school."

Neither Brennan nor his union could be reached for comment Tuesday.

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