Hopatcong Middle School Vice Principal to Resign

Hopatcong Vice Principal Kevin Lipton will resign in June.

Lipton said he's resigning for personal reasons and declined further comment Monday. With Lipton's resignation, Hopatcong will be looking for its third middle school veep in as many years. Teacher Neil Pallotta spent last year as the school's acting VP.

Principal Lou Benfatti said the VP opening was posted. He also said the district would miss 45-year-old Lipton, who came to Hopatcong following a year as Jefferson's middle school VP.

"He has been a great asset to our school for this year," Benfatti said. "He's an educator, and he certainly is viewed as such and he wants the best for the kids and he wants the kids to succeed. He'll be missed.

"As far as Mr. Lipton's concerned, he's been valued by staff because he knows how important it is to educate these kids and to ensure their success. And that's one of the things that he's done well."

Benfatti will enter his third year as the school's principal in the fall. He spent last year with the interim tag after Jeff Hallenback became the district's director of curriculum.

Also, Dr. Joanne Mullane, a curriculum supervisor, will take over the role as Tulsa Trail's principal on Monday. Joseph Memoli, the school's longtime principal, came out of retirement to helm Tulsa for the year. Mullane's former position will not be refilled.