"His background, educational knowledge and proven commitment to provide solid direction in Newington will provide stability to the school district as we begin the new school year," Board Chairman Daniel Carson Sr., stated in a agenda memo for Monday night's meeting.
Collins said his first order of business would be to help find a replacement for himself at the high school. Retiring Superintendent Dr. Ernest Perlini has agreed to stay on until that person begins and Collins can start in the central office. School officials hope to have the new principal selected by late July.
"I feel very, very confident we're going to have a smooth opening" to the school year, he said.
Collins also praised Perlini, who will retire after 40 years as an educator in the district. He has been superintendent since 1993.
"He's put a lot of initiatives in place over the past 16 years we want to ensure remain intact," Collins said.
Collins has a total of seven years experience in Newington, including the past five as high school principal.
He has a doctorate in education from the University of Connecticut as well as a master's degree in library science, a bachelor's in business administration.
"I'm more than confident that Bill's going to do a good job," said Board of Education member Stephen Woods.
Dr. Greg Florio, who had been selected as the finalist for position earlier in June, did not accept the job.
"The identified finalist and the school district did not reach an agreement," said Board of Education chairman Daniel W. Carson, Sr. "We respect Dr. (Greg) Florio's decision and wish him the best."
Florio, a Newington resident, has been in the Cheshire School District for 18 years, six as superintendent.
"Ultimately I was pretty comfortable where I was so I decided to stay in Cheshire," Florio said.
Board members said the search for a permanent superintendent will continue but did not specify where that search may go or when a permanent choice may be announced. The motion did allow for the possibility that Collins would serve until June 30, 2010 or to "an earlier time when the interim position is not longer needed as the result of the election of a new Superintendent of Schools."
Carson said the board has not really had the chance to fully discuss its course of action.
"The search process continues," Carson said. "It will be up to the Board of Education to determine what the next steps are."