Westwood High Principal Certo Resigns

Matthew Certo, the principal of Westwood Regional Jr./Sr. High School, has resigned effective July 1.

Certo joined the school as principal this year after previous principal Tom Gorman left for a job at Ridgewood High School.

In a letter sent to district parents Monday morning, Interim Superintendent Rory McCourt wrote that Certo was resigning due to "personal and family reasons" and he will be on a leave of absence for the rest of the school year.

"I recognize that many parents and students might have questions about this; however, it is of a personal nature so please understand that it cannot be discussed," McCourt wrote.

Board of Education President Roberta Hanlon also declined to comment due to the confidentiality of district personnel matters. She said they had not yet begun searching for a new candidate.

District Director of Personnel and Special Projects Scott Cascone will be filling in as the school's principal for the rest of the year, McCourt wrote.

Certo, who was in his first year at Westwood Regional, previously served as the assistant principal of Ramsey High School for nine years and assistant principal at St. Joseph's High School in West New York, N.J. for five years. 

He could not immediately be reached for comment.

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