NHS Teacher Mike O'Neil Hired as New Assistant Principal at Stoughton High School

With the retirement of assistant principal Paul Jacobs, there was a hole in the administrative staff of SHS Principal Matt Colantonio. But, after an extensive search, Mike O'Neill, who currently works at Norton High School, has been identified as the leading candidate for the assistant principal position at the high school.

O'Neill is a Stoughton resident, who is well known in the community. A long-time coach (with the SLL's Major League Orioles) and director for Stoughton Little League, he is also a South School parent.

He is currently a Social Studies teacher at , where he has acted as interim assistant principal, since the woman who held that position went on maternity leave.

"We did a site visit last week to Mike's current school, and were most impressed at what his fellow administrators, teachers and students had to say about him and his work," said Stoughton superintendent Dr. Marguerite Rizzi.

O'Neil starts Monday, March 21 in his new position.

If his baseball style is any indication of his administrative style, then the students will get a fair, well-prepared man who commands respect, who can be tough when he needs to be.   

"Mike is a Stoughton man who is committed to the community, and to improving the high school," Colantonio said. "His son recently graduated from there, and his daughter is a South School student. He's an experienced, thorough and methodical administrator. He's a good third person for the team.

"I'm a mad scientist kind of guy, and it's good to have someone look at things from a different persepective. He's a seasoned veteran, tough and fair, with a hammer when needed. The other assistant principal, Hope Fernandes, is more into the instruction and curriculum side of things. She handles grants and MCAS scheduling, as well as instruction and curriculum. Michael is more a student safety and services kind of person. He's great fit, and it makes a nice balance in the office."