Hopatcong Middle School Names 3rd Vice Principal In 3 Years

Lipton out, Certo in.

The Hopatcong Middle School will have its third vice principal in as many years when Mark Certo takes the helm in the fall. Certo, a 10-year borough teacher, earned a unanimous nod from the Board of Education at Monday night's meeting.

Lipton announced his resignation in May,

Here's the district's release:

The Hopatcong Board of Education unanimously appointed Mr. Mark Certo as the new Vice Principal of Hopatcong Middle School effective July 1, 2011.  This action was adopted at the regular meeting of the School Board on Monday, June 25, 2011.  Mr. Certo has been teaching in Hopatcong since 2001.  His current assignment has been as an elementary teacher at Durban Avenue Elementary School.  He has past experience from 1997-2000 as a middle school teacher of Social Studies in Jamesburg, N.J.
 
“Mr. Certo brings a wealth of educational experience to his new position,” said Superintendent of Schools Dr. Charles Maranzano, Jr. “Mark has instant credibility with parents and community members and we have high expectations for him in a new role as vice principal of Hopatcong Middle School.”
 
Mark Certo has a Masters in Educational Administration from Caldwell College and a Masters in Elementary Education from Monmouth University.  He has experience as an acting principal and a middle school dean of students.  Mark Certo served on the Hopatcong Schools Professional Development Committee, District Safety Committee, and has conducted action research in math and curriculum mapping in language arts.
 
“Mark has an excellent knowledge base in technology and is a collaborative team player,” added Maranzano, “he is know to the community through his coaching and volunteer activities and lives in Hopatcong.”