West Orange Board Appoints New Assistant Principal

Lesley Chung was appointed the West Orange High School’s newest assistant principal on Wednesday night by the Board of Education. 

“It feels really great,” said Chung after her appointment by the board. “I ... look forward to the school year to bring new ideas that I have. I have already been researching neighboring districts and getting in contact with those schools to bring their best practices to West Orange.” 

Chung was a guidance counselor at the high school and will start as assistant principal Sept. 1. Her salary will be $109,470.39. 

The appointment makes Chung the fourth assistant principal at the high school. The others are: Annette Dade, Louis Della Pia, and Kimberly Juirdano-Mancarella.  

Chung, also a resident of West Orange, said as she moves into an administrative role, one of her most valuable assets will be her experience gained at the school. She started there in 2005, so she is familiar with its day-to-day workings. 

“I already know the student population, a lot of the students in the building whether it be as a guidance counselor or just in the community,” said Chung. “Now I get to not only affect my caseload of students, but the whole entire school overall to bring new ideas and programs to help our students.” 

Chung will be joining a new class of upper administrators this school year. Hayden Moore was as the high school’s new principal, and Dade was appointed an assistance principal earlier this year. 

“We are bringing a whole new regiment to the school with new ideas and programs and ways of thinking,” said Chung. “It is awesome. We all have been in the district for so long ... and we have worked together on so many projects.”