HILLSBOROUGH – Hillsborough High School’s new principal is looking forward to welcoming students back into the classroom when the 2022-23 school year begins on Sept. 6.
Jeffrey DiLollo began his new role as principal on Aug. 16 and has been integrating himself into the school district and the Hillsborough community ever since, participating in freshman orientation and attending various functions around the school.
“It’s been great,” DiLollo said. “The community has been very supportive. It’s great to see a lot of excitement and enthusiasm from everyone.”
DiLollo takes over for Hillsborough alum Michele Fisher, who will become the principal of Amsterdam Elementary School in the district.
Fisher became the principal of her alma mater last fall following the retirement of former principal Karen Bingert.
DiLollo has over 20 years of experience in the education field and for the last four years was the assistant principal and athletic director at Wayne Hills High School in Passaic County.
Prior to his previous position, DiLollo served as the athletic director for Randolph High School in Morris County. He got his start in education as a social studies teacher at his alma mater West Morris Central High School in Morris County and later added the title of athletic director at the school.
Becoming the principal of a high school in a community like Hillsborough has always been a goal of his, said DiLollo.
He said Hillsborough “fit” all the areas of education and extracurricular activities he was looking for in a school and is looking forward to continuing that same objective moving forward.
“Hillsborough has a great tradition. It’s a great school district,” DiLollo adds.
DiLollo said one of his first goals as principal will be working with the school district to develop a five-year plan that will focus on the growth of the facilities at the school and updating the student curriculum.
In addition to that, DiLollo has made it a point of emphasis for the school to continue monitoring and learning from the results of the last two school years during the pandemic.
These areas include bringing different technology tools into the curriculum that were helpful for students and teachers, and also building back up interpersonal relationships between students and teachers with in-person classes.
DiLollo understands the last two years have been very challenging for everyone and that there are still challenges “socially and emotionally” that students are dealing with post pandemic.
That’s why he wants to make sure Hillsborough High School is a place where everyone feels safe and supportive.
“(Hillsborough High School) is a supportive place that is here to help you grow and learn,” DiLollo said. “I’m looking forward to seeing everyone back in the building.”
DiLollo graduated with a bachelor’s degree in history and psychology from Seton Hall University and has a master’s degree in educational leadership from the College of St. Elizabeth. He is currently a resident of Long Valley in Morris County.