PARSIPPANY — Students and staff members at Parsippany Hills High School will be greeted by a new school leader when school opens in September. Dr. Matthew Thompson, who began work in the district in July, will serve as the high school principal, replacing Mr. Michael DiSanto who has taken a position in the district as Director of Health/PE. Dr. Thompson brings valuable experience from Hunterdon Central Regional High School where he served for eight years as Assistant Principal and three years as Instructional Technology Coordinator.
Dr. Thompson earned a B.S. at Lock Haven, University of Pennsylvania where he was a member of the Varsity Wrestling Team. He studied at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University and received a M.S. in Education, received a M.A. in Educational Leadership at Centenary College, and completed an Ed.D. program through Nova Southeastern University. He was inducted into the Lock Haven University Athletics Hall of Fame in 2018.
Dr. Thompson was hired following a rigorous selection process that included a committee interview with teachers, parents, administrators, and Board of Education representation, and an interactive walking tour of Parsippany Hills High School with high school students. Committee members and students commented on Dr. Thompson’s high level of energy, his strong high school leadership experience, his experience with block schedules, and his engaging manner with students.
“I am honored and excited to join the Parsippany-Troy Hills School Community,” said Dr. Thompson. “Everyone here has been so supportive and friendly. I know we’re going to have an outstanding school year.”
