BURRILLVILLE – A Johnston native who has led that town’s high school for the past several years will serve as the new principal of Burrillville Middle School, beginning on Tuesday, July 1.
Matthew Velino will fill the vacancy left by the resignation of former BMS Principal Kathryn Johnston Lord, school officials announced this week.
A graduate of Johnston High School, Velino began his career as a phys ed teacher at Brown Avenue Elementary School in Johnston after earning a bachelor’s degree in health and physical education from Rhode Island College in 2016. He would go on to earn a master’s degree in education administration from Providence College in 2021, also serving as a behavioral interventionist for Johnston Public Schools.
Velino served as assistant principal at West Broadway Middle School in Providence before returning once again to Johnston to take on the same role at the high school. He was named principal of Johnston Senior High School in 2023.
“Velino brings a wealth of educational experience to our school,” noted Supt. Michael Sollitto in a letter on the hire to BMS parents. “As Mr. Velino begins his work at BMS, we are committed to ensuring continuity for families and students in all school operations and programs.”
Burrillville’s new 6th through 8th grade school leader also coached football for seven years, and has served in the U.S. Air Force.
He told fellow educators in Johnston that obstacles including the lack of space and equipment to expand the high school’s career and technical program offerings ultimately led to his resignation, according to an article in the Johnston Sunrise.
Velino will be formally introduced to Burrillville parents at an open house at the Broncos Highway school this fall.
“He has met with Mrs. Lord and (Vice Principal) Ms. Robidoux, and other key members of the BMS community to become familiar with the aspirations, needs, and ongoing initiatives of our middle school,” noted Sollitto.
The hire concludes what has been something of a shakeup of leadership at Burrillville schools in recent months. District officials announced in February that Levy Elementary School Principal Monica Tomson would retire after 36 years in Burrillville. Callahan Elementary School Principal David Brissette was tapped to fill that vacancy, and the district announced this month that high school teacher Rudolph Moseley would assume Brissette’s former role.
Parents are encouraged to watch for more communication from Velino over the summer.
“Please join us in welcoming Mr. Velino to the Bronco family,” said Sollitto. “We are confident that he will foster a positive and supportive learning environment for all our BMS students.”
