St. Rose of Lima School is led by a passionate and dedicated team of experienced educators and administrative professionals. 


The School Advisory Board provides the leadership to foster an environment that provides underlying Catholic values, long-term strategic planning and financial stability. This role of the School Advisory Board complements the school’s mission which is to nurture and foster the spiritual, moral, intellectual, physical and social growth of the student through its religious and academic curriculum and extracurricular programs.


Our Principal works interactively with the School Advisory Board to fulfill the School Advisory Board’s responsibilities in the school’s strategic planning, finance, facilities, marketing, and development activities.

Who's Who on the School Advisory Board

Fr. Peter Cipriani, Pastor

Fr. Peter Cipriani was born and raised in Suffern New York along with two older brothers. He was always an avid reader and writer and so when it came time to attend college, he attended Fordham University and graduated with a double major in History and English. Though not sure what he wanted to do afterward - in more or less delay tactic mode – he applied and was accepted to the Graduate Studies program in the Land of the Mighty Tiger Paw, Clemson University. There Fr. Peter received a Master’s Degree in English Literature. During this time, he was invited by Clemson to teach a couple of classes. This was a major turning point in his life because he fell in love with teaching and wanted to pursue it as a permanent career. However, Fr. Peter needed to acquire his Teaching Certification and so he returned to his native state of New York to attend St. Thomas Aquinas College.

After achieving certification, Fr. Peter was offered a position at Albertus Magnus High School in New York where he taught both English and Religion. After two years, he was offered a position teaching religion at Notre Dame High School which became another major turning point in his life. After two years at Notre Dame, Fr. Peter entered the Seminary, receiving most of his training at the North American College in Rome. Fr. Peter was ordained in 2004 and received his first assignment which was to return to his Notre Dame family as the Chaplain. Fr. Peter happily served as Chaplain for 10 years. This period of his journey became the most important turning point of his life.

From there he ventured forth into his first assignment as Pastor of Our Lady of the Assumption Parish in Fairfield, Connecticut. “Though arriving a bit ‘kicking and screaming’, it would not be long before I happily embraced my parish as family and was embraced as family by both Assumption Parish and its school - proving once again that though we may not always see it, God is so good!” says Fr. Peter. “And arriving here at Saint Rose of Lima Parish as the new Pastor is further proof that God is very good. I just hope and pray that I too can be very good for the St. Rose parish community”.

Dr. Bardhyl Gjoka, Principal

  • Bachelor’s Degree, Math & Physics with extensive STEM background
  • Masters in Education
  • Sixth year Diploma in Educational Leadership
  • Doctorate Degree in Social and Emotional Leadership (SEL)
  • Principal at St. Rose School
  • Former Principal St. Aloysius School, New Canaan
  • Former Assistant Principal, All Saints School, Norwalk
  • Math/Engineering teacher, Kolbe Cathedral High School, Bridgeport, High School Engineering Academy, Fairfield

“I have a strong commitment to Catholic education. My wife also teaches in a Catholic school, and both of our sons are students in Catholic schools, one in elementary and one in high school. St. Rose School has an undeniable reputation for its rich Catholic tradition, loyal community service, academic excellence, and student success. Our faculty and staff, all of whom are NY or CT State Certified with a BS or MS in Education, are committed to helping every child meet their full potential. Through all of my years as an educator, I have come to believe that a faith-based education with a progressive academic journey provides the strongest foundation for the future success of a child’s life. This is evident at St. Rose School. It is my privilege to be a part of this vibrant community. I am fully committed to continuing the long standing traditions and introducing enhancements to ensure that all students receive a stellar academic, faith focused education. The School Advisory Board is an integral part of our ongoing success. I am grateful for the dynamic contributions of all members as well as for Monsignor Bob’s ongoing love and support of St. Rose School.”

Mrs. Stephanie DeBartolomeo

  • Chairperson, School Advisory Board (SAB)
  • MBA, International Business and Marketing: Leonard N. Stern School of Business, NYU
  • Stephanie spent more than 20 years at Fortune 500 companies including Pepsico, IBM, CBS, Dr. Pepper Snapple Group & Allied Domecq NA. Her expertise lies in strategic brand marketing & communications, data analysis/insights and innovation. During her corporate tenure, Stephanie received multiple awards including National Marketing Innovation, Marketing Excellence and Marketer of the Year. She was nominated for BrandWeek Magazine’s “Top 40 Marketers Under 40” annual feature. Currently Stephanie is an Adjunct Professor of Business at regional universities, a freelance consultant, and handles digital and print Communications for St. Rose Parish.
  • Alumni students: Gabrielle Class of 2010, Boston College (2018), Sr. Clinical Trial Scientist, Pharmaceutical industry, Boston; Christina Class of 2012, George Washington University (2020), Consumer Market Research Manager, Boston; Daniel 2018, St. Joseph High School, Trumbull, CT, Senior. 
  • An active parishioner since 1995 in a multitude of capacities including marketing, fundraising, event planning and “lunch Mom.” Recipient of the St. Augustine Medal of Service, Diocese of Bridgeport.  

"I've been fortunate to witness the remarkable intellectual and spiritual impact our school can make on young minds. My children were exceptionally prepared for high school in ways unmatched by their peers. Their faith-based beginnings prepared them for the many moral and ethical dilemmas young adults face today. I am honored to have the opportunity to help guide the school into a future that sustains its academic success and faith embodiment."

Mr. Stephen Pagliaro


  • Facilities Committee, SAB
  • B.S. Computer Information Systems, Quinnipiac University
  • MBA, Loyola College, Maryland

Stephen, his wife Cathy, and their four children have lived in Newtown and been members of St. Rose Parish since 2008. Both Stephen and Cathy were born and raised in the New Haven area, but have lived in Baltimore, MD and Surrey, England for a total of 15 years before returning to CT to settle here in 2008.


Steve has been a stay-at-home Dad for 20 years. Raising his four children, who are all SRS alumni, Antonio (2010), Dominic (2012), Gino (2013) and Maria (2016) across two continents has been the greatest accomplishment in his life. All four children went on to Catholic high schools. The boys graduated from Steve’s alma mater, Notre Dame of West Haven, and Maria graduated from Cathy’s alma mater, Sacred Heart Academy in Hamden. All of the children went on to college.


Prior to taking on the role of “Director of Family Affairs for the Pagliaro Estate”, Steve worked at various companies as a software project manager and software developer in the insurance and loan processing industries.

Mr. Stephen Piccolo

  • Chairman, Finance Committee, SAB
  • Retired Senior VP and Chief Financial Officer, New York Medical College
  • Parishioner at St. Rose since 2016

"I'm committed to Catholic education, having served as a member of the Board of Advisors of Immaculate High School for more than twenty years and more recently as a member of the Audit Committee of the Foundations in Education of the Diocese of Bridgeport. We have a family commitment to Catholic education with one of my daughters teaching at St. Raphael Academy in Bridgeport. I am proud to be part of the team at St. Rose."

Mr. John Cavallero

  • Marketing/Fundraising Committee, SAB
  • BA in Economics, Fairfield University
  • Board Member Dolan School of Business at Fairfield University
  • Owner/operator of Orangetheory Fitness Guilford & New Haven
  • 25yrs experience at Nestle, Kraft, Nabisco, Heinz and Citicorp in Sales and Business Strategy
  • Alumni student: Olivia, Class of 2016

Mrs. Jill D'Alessandro

  • Finance Committee, SAB
  • B.B.A. Finance & Accounting, Iona College
  • Jill worked in the Commercial Banking Sector for 10 years at JP Morgan Chase.
    Her experience is in external financial (SEC), and internal business profitability, reporting. 
  • Upon moving to Newtown in 1993, Jill gave up the lower Manhattan commute to raise her two daughters and put her skills to use at local Community groups, including St. Rose School. She is thankful to have had this opportunity.
  • Jill returned to the workforce as a Substitute Teacher in the Newtown Public Schools, followed by financial roles at local non-profits including the Chamber of Commerce and The Resiliency Center of Newtown. She currently works for Creative Financial Staffing on assignment to various organizations.
  • Alumni students: Christine - Class of 2005, University of Notre Dame (2013); College of William and Mary School of Law (2020), Associate Attorney, NYC; Kathryn - Class of 2010, University of Notre Dame (2018), University of Michigan (2021), Senior Engineer, Michigan 

"Having attended Catholic Schools Kindergarten through College, I am a strong believer in the academic strength of a Catholic School curriculum. More importantly, I believe the environment of a Catholic school provides a support system

where young children learn the essentials of being kind and providing help to their peers. This is strongly supported by the religious education and spiritual components of the curriculum. It lends itself to the success of all students."

Mr. Jeff McKenzie

  • Technology Committee, SAB
  • Bachelor of Arts, Business/Marketing
  • Vice President, Product Marketing
  • Alumni children: Parker McKenzie (2015), Peyton McKenzie (2017), and Patrick McKenzie (2019)
  • St. Rose Parishioner for 11 years

“I have witnessed the positive impact of our St. Rose School community, not only on my family but in every life that we touch. I recognize this does not happen by accident, rather through the hard work and dedication of many. I am happy to be a part of the continued success of St. Rose School and look forward to doing my part.”

Ms. Laura McNerney

  • Marketing Committee, SAB
  • Bachelor of Arts, Political Science
  • College of the Holy Cross
  • CEO and Founder, Leadership Learning Group, LLC
  • Formerly:
  • President, Hospitality Resource Group, Inc. 
  • Vice President of Human Resources, Doral Hotels and Resorts 
  • Alumni children: Connor McNerney (2014), College of the Holy Cross (2022), Contracts Specialist, Defense Contracting; Ryan McNerney (2016), Middlebury College (2024)
  • St. Rose Parishioner for 28 years

“I am delighted to contribute to the continued success of Saint Rose of Lima School, a very special place where children are encouraged, recognized, and taught the importance of kindness and serving others."