WINDHAM — The School Board approved naming the new kindergarten the Henry E. LaBranche Kindergarten.

“I’m extremely overwhelmed by this honor,” LaBranche said. “It’s always humbling and special when people think enough of you to recognize your accomplishments and achievements.”

Past and present colleagues spoke in support of putting LaBranche’s name on the newly constructed kindergarten, but he was most moved by the comments from student representative Christine Carpenter.

“It was very special for a student to express her support for a superintendent and somewhat unusual,” LaBranche said.

Carpenter said she got to know LaBranche while working with him on the school dress code policy and was impressed with his “aura of integrity.” Having his name above the kindergarten will help young students embrace the concept of going confidently in the direction of their dreams, Carpenter said.

“That is the epitome of what Dr. LaBranche does by sitting here every week,” Carpenter said.

Former School Board Chairman Ed Gallagher proposed naming the school after LaBranche for the impact his work at the local and state level had on educating three generations of Windham’s students, Gallagher said in his statement.

LaBranche was the first superintendent of SAU 28 after it was established in 1975. He left after 13 years in that position to work for the Department of Education. LaBranche eventually moved on to spend 15 years as Salem’s superintendent at a time when Windham students attended Salem High School.

He came out of retirement in June 2011 to become interim superintendent of SAU 28, overseeing Windham High School’s first graduating class and construction of the new kindergarten wing. He has since agreed to stay on as Windham splits from SAU 28 and forms its own administrative unit.

Supporters from Windham, Salem and Pelham attended the School Board meeting Tuesday to share their gratitude for LaBranche’s contributions to their schools and communities.

Pelham School Board Chairman Brian Carton said he was impressed with LaBranche’s ability to keep an even keel and maintain perspective. LaBranche’s leadership made 2012 one of the most successful votes in several years enabling about $1.5 million in improvements to the Pelham high school, Carton said.

“He’s helped mentor a lot of our leaders in our schools,” Carton said.

Golden Brook teacher Cathy Pappalardo said LaBranche enjoyed the classroom atmosphere and made new teachers feel welcome and important by making sure he knew absolutely everybody’s name.

“I would love to see his picture hanging in our hallways, in our new kindergarten addition, gracing the building as Jim Flynn’s photo does,” Pappalardo said.

Flynn is the former Golden Brook School Principal who had a gymnasium named after him. He also sent a letter in support of naming the kindergarten after LaBranche. Former School Board Member Rick Horrigan also submitted a letter of support.

LaBranche received a standing ovation after the board unanimously approved the name of the new kindergarten. A provision of the naming policy requiring that the honoree be deceased was waived.

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Julie Hanson may be reached at Jhanson@newstote.com.