West Milford schools announce new elementary principals, honor marching band and retirees
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Summary
Superintendent Dr. Kitchen announced two new elementary principals, the board read a congratulatory resolution from the New Jersey Legislature for the West Milford Highlander Marching Band, and the district publicly recognized a large group of retirees at its June 17 meeting.
WEST MILFORD, N.J. — Superintendent Dr. Kitchen on June 17 introduced two newly appointed elementary principals and read a legislative resolution honoring the West Milford Highlander Marching Band. The board also recognized multiple retirees for long service to the district.
Dr. Kitchen described the principal-hiring process as a multi-stage search with stakeholder surveys, screening interviews, panel interviews with parents, staff and administrators, and final-round scenario-based interviews. The district said it received about 45 applicants, screened roughly 35, invited 15 for panel interviews and narrowed the field to six finalists for final interviews.
The superintendent introduced Jay Loy as the new principal of Upper Greenwood Lake Elementary School. Loy addressed the board and said, “I am really excited…Thank you for placing your trust in me.” The other elementary hire, Leah Senesi, was unable to attend; Dr. Swartz read a statement from her accepting the Upshaw Elementary School principalship and noting she was attending her daughter’s high-school award ceremony.
At the start of the meeting Dr. Kitchen read a resolution from the State and General Assembly of New Jersey congratulating the West Milford Highlander Marching Band on winning the Group 4 New Jersey State Championship on Oct. 26, 2024. The resolution praises the band’s leadership and lists awards the band won in categories such as best overall visuals, effect and color guard.
The board also publicly honored a long list of retirees across departments — including technology, transportation, athletics, counseling, maintenance and classroom aides — and presented plaques and photos to staff members with service ranging from single-digit years up to 38 years.
The superintendent said the district prioritized a rigorous and inclusive hiring process and asked the board and community to welcome the new principals. No formal board vote on the hires was recorded in the public minutes during the meeting; the superintendent presented the appointments as district personnel announcements.