Board of Ed. Appoints New WOHS Principal

West Orange High School officially has a new principal. 

Hayden Moore was unanimously appointed as principal of the high school by the Board of Education at its meeting on Monday in the WOHS library. 

Moore has been in the district for the past 15 years, of which 12 years have been at the high school. He has held various positions during his tenure there, including dean of students and, most recently, assistant principal. 

“There is no place like home,” said Moore to a crowd of more than 100 teachers, staff members, administrators and parents who turned out for the appointment that evening. 

Moore will be replacing Arthur Alloggiamento, who served as the high school principal for the past 10 years. Alloggiamento will continue to work at the high school until August 31. He was also present to see Moore appointed at the meeting on Monday.  

Moore emphasized that he will need students, parents and teachers to maintain and advance the high standards already in place at the high school. 

“I want you to understand that this is a shared responsibility,” said Moore. “I can push the engine, but I am going to need people to help drive it. 

“... Faculty: I want a renaissance. ... It’s about collaboration. You know I can’t do it without you.” 

The board set Moore's salary at $150,017.20, and he will begin serving as principal September 1.  

The appointment came less than a week after the board pending an investigation. According to the board, interim Superintendent Donna Rando made Moore’s recommendation.  

Even before Cavanna was suspended by the board, Moore’s . Cavanna had issued a press release on July 2 stating he intended to recommend to the board Moore's appointment.  

Cavanna was not present at Monday's meeting

Board President Laura Lab addressed the recent tumult in the district, stating that the district is in a “state of transition.” Reading a prepared statement, Lab said that the board was unable to comment further about Cavanna’s suspension or deciding not to renew his contract after it expires in June 2013. 

“We ask for your patience as we comply and adhere to the processes,” said Lab. “But, please, I must stress, these were unanimous decisions by the board in its entirety. Tonight our district will be entering into an new era ....”

Marie DeMaio, principal of Washington Elementary School, also weighed in with her own comments about the state of the district. Moore’s appointment, she said, should be seen as a symbol to unify the district and move it forward. 

“This evening, as [Moore] is appointed the principal,” said DeMaio, “we must move forward as a district with Hayden as the leader at the high school. That is the most important thing we must do now.”