Irvington Schools Announce IHS Principal Dr. Mosenthal Will Retire Next June

The School district sent the following release Thursday:

Irvington High School Principal, Dr. Scott Mosenthal, has announced that he will retire from his position as Principal of Irvington High School one year from now, effective July 1, 2013.

Affectionately referred to as “Dr. Mo,” Dr. Mosenthal has spent his entire professional career, 37 years, as an educator at Irvington High School. While Dr. Mosenthal led the High School as its Principal for the past 14 years, prior to the Principal appointment, he served as the Chair/Assistant Principal of the High School for 13 years. He began his career in Irvington in 1975 as an English teacher and also served as a basketball coach, track coach and football coach.

Interim Superintendent, Dr. Robert J. Roelle commented “It would seem hard to imagine Irvington High School without Dr. Mosenthal. He has practiced a “student first” philosophy that is felt throughout the school. His institutional history of the High School and the entire School District has been a tremendous resource for several superintendents.” During his tenure as Principal the enrollment at Irvington High School has grown from slightly more than 300 students to more than 600 students. Of particular note, as result of the leadership of Dr. Mosenthal, the Advanced Placement (AP) Program grew from five A.P. courses in the year 2000 to 19 courses in 2007. Under his leadership the A.P. and other rigorous courses available at Irvington High School have grown to reflect some of the finest opportunities available in American high schools.

In reflecting upon life after Irvington High School, Dr. Mosenthal said that he looks forward to teaching graduate courses, reading and spending time with his family, along with pursuing other interests.

The recruitment of the next high school principal (only the third in the past forty years) will be a top priority of the next Superintendent, Dr. Kristopher Harrison, and the Board of Education during the up-coming new school year. Plans regarding the recruitment process will likely be shared by Dr. Harrison after the start of the 2012-13 school year.

It is expected that the Board of Education will act upon Dr. Mosenthal’s resignation for the purpose of retirement at a Special Meeting scheduled for June 22, 2012.