New Principals Highlight Changes in Linden Public Schools Administration
Submitted by Gary Miller
Changes in the Linden Public Schools administration for the 2019-20 school year include new principals at both middle schools and at two of the district’s largest elementary schools.
“We are looking at the upcoming year as one of celebration of all of our students and their accomplishments, and we have a great team in place to help lead that charge,” said Acting Superintendent Denise Cleary. “Change is good and it gives everyone a chance to recharge and see things in a new light. I know they will be fantastic in their new roles!”
Isabella Scocozza has been named principal at Soehl Middle School. She had been a vice principal at the school, while also serving as director of the 21st Century Community Learning Center, the school’s after-school and summer program.
Richard Molinaro, former principal at Soehl, will be acting director of mathematics at the Linden High School Academy of Science and Technology.
Atiya Perkins will be the principal at McManus Middle School. She had been principal at School No. 2, the district’s largest elementary school. She had previously served as vice principal at McManus.
The new principal at School No. 2 is Peter Fingerlin, who had been principal at McManus. It is also a homecoming for Fingerlin, who had previously been principal at School No. 2.
School No. 4 has a new principal and vice principal, following the retirement of longtime Principal Anthony Cataline. Former Vice Principal Suzanne Olivero will be taking the helm as principal, and Rosalia Kolibas, formerly the district’s supervisor of elementary math, will be vice principal.
The new positions were approved by the Linden Board of Education on July 30, 2019, at its regular monthly meeting.
