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Upper Greenwood Lake has a new principal

| 27 Aug 2015 | 11:57
    Photos by Patricia Keller Newly hired Upper Greenwood Lake Principal Steven Deo, left, is congratulated by interim Superintendent Anthony Riscica at the West Milford Board of Education special meeting, held on Aug. 13.
    Photos by Patricia Keller Newly hired Upper Greenwood Lake Principal Steven Deo, left, is congratulated by interim Superintendent Anthony Riscica at the West Milford Board of Education special meeting, held on Aug. 13.
    Steven Deo addressed the school board after they unanimously approved his appointment to principal of UGL.
    Steven Deo addressed the school board after they unanimously approved his appointment to principal of UGL.
    Steven Deo takes over the helm at Upper Greenwood Lake on Sept. 1.
    Steven Deo takes over the helm at Upper Greenwood Lake on Sept. 1.

WEST MILFORD — A new face will greet students and teachers on opening day at Upper Greenwood Lake Elementary School. The West Milford Board of Education unanimously approved the appointment of Steven Deo as principal of UGL at a special meeting on Aug. 13. Deo replaces Daniel Novak, who was recently appointed the district’s director of Education following the retirement of Iris Wechling earlier this year.

Deo was hired for the position effective Sept. 1, 2015 through June 30, 2016, at the prorated salary of $104,000 with health benefits.

“I wanted to thank him personally for joining the West Milford School District,” said Trustee Jim Foody, noting that Deo was present in the audience.

According to Interim Superintendent Anthony Riscica, Deo served as assistant principal for the past three years in Cherry Hill and “has a varied background even before that.”

Novak knows first hand the job awaiting Deo.

"Mr. Deo brings four years of administrative experience to our team as well as a commitment to international community service. Mr. Deo also has an interest in music and composes original songs used in commercials and plans to bring these skills to UGL," said Novak. "As former principal and current Upper Greenwood Lake resident who will have three kids in the school this fall, I am very excited by the hiring of Mr. Deo. His personality and commitment to character education will seem familiar to our school's stakeholders, and his diverse educational background outside of West Milford will certainly help to build upon our current programs while continuing to strive for greater academic and cultural experiences for all of our students."

Deo thanked the board.
"I’m so excited to be here," said Deo after being invited to address the board. "It is going to be a transition for me as I now become a member of this great community, but I guarantee you that I will work very hard and give you my absolute best to serve the parents, the staff, and the students of this great community. Again, thank you from the bottom of my heart for welcoming me into your family, and God bless, thank you.”

- Patricia Keller