Middle School Principal Steps Up to High School

How would you know Rick Mangili is brave enough to be a high school principal? For one, he's comfortable admitting he's a "Big Red Sox fan."

Mangili, who was appointed by the Board of Education earlier this month to serve as the new Cedar Grove High School principal, is a native of Rhode Island.

He moves up to the high school from Memorial Middle School, where he served as principal since January 2011. Before coming to Cedar Grove Schools, he was a principal in East Hanover, and an assistant principal in Rhode Island.

Mangili, 43, graduated from the University of Rhode Island in 1992. At URI, he majored in history and minored in journalism.

"After completing my teacher certification at the University of Rhode Island in 1996 I moved down to New Jersey and was convinced by an assistant principal in New Providence to seek an administration/supervision certificate," he told Patch. "I enrolled in Montclair State university for an administration certification and completed my masters in administration in December of 2003."  

Newly appointed Superintendent of Schools Michael Fetherman previously held the principal position at the high school.

"Mr. Mangili has earned this position through a demonstrated commitment to educational leadership and teacher effectiveness," Fetherman said. "Rick has developed a positive working relationship with the Cedar Grove learning community that is sure to translate at the high school level."

Mangili's base salary is $133,000, according to published reports.

Another sign he is tough enough for the job: He is the father of three daughters.