Roosevelt Middle School's New Principal Announced

A changing of the guard – or in this case, principals – took place Monday night at the West Orange Board of Education meeting after the Roosevelt Middle School Auditorium was dedicated to retiring principal Frank Corrado.

Lionel Hush was announced as the new principal, set to replace Corrado who will be . Hush served as Corrado's assistant principal for five years at Roosevelt.  

"I'm looking forward to working with the staff again … trying to incorporate new ideas and make things happen," said Hush. "I was there for five years, so it's a very cooperative staff. We have a lot we want to accomplish in terms of test scores, and just making the experience for the kids not just pleasurable but also successful."

Hush was welcomed with open arms by Liz Hughes, Roosevelt PTA co-president, and given a gift as an expression of gratitude, as well as a round of applause by a number of Roosevelt staff present at the meeting.

"I'm very pleased that Lionel Hush got the job. He'll put his own mark on the school and things will be even better," said Corrado.

Corrado's departure, though, is one that will be felt by all. 

During his time at Roosevelt, Corrado spent 11 of his 41 years in education in West Orange and received honors by the New Jersey Department of Education that named Roosevelt one of four "Schools to Watch" in the state. 

"I'm looking forward to a new chapter. I'm going to miss [Roosevelt] terribly but it is time to move on," said Corrado. 

Hush's new position as principal is effective July 1. 

[Editor's note: To read more about Monday's board of education meeting, click here.]