Morrell named principal at JHS

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Dennis O. Morrell, who has served as principal at Nicholas A. Ferri Middle School for the past six years, has been appointed the new principal at Johnston High School.

The School Committee on Monday approved Morrell’s move on a 4-1 vote. He succeeds Zachary S. Farrell, who left to become an assistant principal at Cranston High School West.

The committee on Monday also appointed Michael David Mancieri, a North Kingstown resident with experience in three Rhode Island school districts, as an assistant principal at Johnston High.

Schools Superintendent Dr. Bernard DiLullo Jr. said Morrell has “led significant improvements at Ferri Middle School.”

“He had built a solid team what works together in the best interest of the students,” he said. “Mr. Morrell sets high expectations for all and is a consistent leader. He takes the position with both middle and high school experience.”

Prior to becoming principal at Ferri, Morrell was the assistant principal for two years. He also served many years in Cranston Public Schools, both at the high school level and then as a district leader. He joined Johnston Public Schools in 2008.

“Dennis has received many accolades from parents, students, and teachers regarding his leadership at the middle school,” DiLullo said. “Many teachers and parents attended last night’s school committee meeting to support his appointment.”

Morrell began his Johnston High duties Tuesday.

“I am really looking forward to the job. What’s especially good is that I am familiar with the students – as well as their parents – who are now here at Johnston High School after moving on from Ferri Middle School,” he said.

Morrell, who is well-versed in the Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, and French languages, earned a bachelor of arts degree in French from Rhode Island College in 1986 and earned a master’s degree in education from Providence College in 1988.

Mancieri holds degrees from Providence College, Rhode Island College, and Boston University and has had experience in the Middletown, Portsmouth and Cumberland public school systems.

He also serves as director of middle school baseball in Rhode Island and is a member of the Principal’s Committee on Athletics. In that capacity, he is the executive director for the group that governs middle school sports in the state.

“Michael has expressed great interest in secondary education and looks forward to working at Johnston High School,” DiLullo said. “He has extensive leadership experience and is ready to work cooperatively with our principal, teachers, and staff to advance the Johnston High School agenda.”

He continued: “I look forward to working with these two leaders in the coming years. It will be a dynamic team to continue to move our flagship school forward. I thank the Johnston School Committee for their wisdom in supporting the recommendation to appoint these two school leaders.”

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