On April 7, Principal Mark Orfinger announced his decision to retire at the end of this school year. Dr. Orfinger has been the principal of MHS for the past thirteen years, and he has brought many changes to the school.
Orfinger and his wife decided to retire together this year in order to spend more time with their two grown daughters, take advantage of cultural opportunities in Manhattan and pursue activities that they have always enjoyed together, like reading and bike riding.
Though this year was a difficult year for the administration due to the budget, Orfinger said that pressure did not prompt his decision to retire.
“This year the issue was the budget,” Orfinger said. “Last year there were other stresses; there is stress every year with this job, but there are also rewarding and challenging parts of the job that I would never give up.”
Orfinger takes pride in all of the changes he has made to the school over the past thirteen years, but he is especially proud of his work in three specific areas: the “personalization” of the school, the extension of the learning community beyond the classroom and the improvements in curriculum and instruction.
When Orfinger first arrived at MHS, students told him that they saw the administration as remote and unapproachable. “I think that I have personalized the school,” Orfinger said. “I know scores of students and families. I am a visible principal; students can always find me walking down the school hallways with them.”
Orfinger was also a vital part of the construction of the overpass; he believed that it was necessary to have a social center of the school where students could interact with each other.
Orfinger has always made a point of attending school events. He has gone to hundreds of events throughout his career as principal, including concerts, athletic events, art shows, proms, PACE productions and even field trips (he has been to China and Spain on the foreign language class trips).
“The School Board truly appreciates Dr. Orfinger’s steadfast leadership at MHS for the past thirteen years,” said Linnet Tse, the president of the School Board. “Personally, I can’t imagine Dr. Orfinger not being at all the high school events anymore – concerts, plays, art shows, athletic events and more – he’s always there! He has been MHS’s biggest cheerleader!”
Thirteen years ago, students felt that they could not find ways to be leaders at MHS. During his tenure, clubs and organizations have expanded drastically (there are now 60 clubs). Orfinger has worked to increase the role of the Student Government and the number of co-curricular activities offered to students (like the 2008 Presidential Debate, the Shared Read and Wellness Day).
There are many opportunities at MHS for students to take honors and AP level classes. “Ten years ago, students felt shut out of high-level courses,” said Orfinger. This growth of the curriculum also came with a series of supporting counseling services that help students who are struggling academically. Orfinger also takes pride in the development of the instruction at MHS and has hired over one hundred staff members.
As soon as Orfinger announced his retirement, administrators had to begin thinking about finding the next principal. Assistant Superintendent for Personnel Anthony Minotti will be organizing the selection process and involving students in the process through focus groups.
A small committee will screen the applications and decide whom to interview. The interview committee will be composed of teachers, administrators, parents, other staff members and MHS students. The student representatives will be chosen by Carol Scheffler.
After the interview committee assesses the potential principals, the assistant superintendents, current Superintendent Paul Fried and next year’s Superintendent Robert Shaps, will consider the candidates and possibly go on a visit to the prospective principal’s work place to further gauge his or her promise.
There are rumors circulating the student body that each assistant principal is being seriously considered for the job of principal, but Dr. Fried says that any of the assistant principals would have to apply for the job like any outside candidates.
Orfinger hopes that the next principal will appreciate the creativity and diversity of MHS and will help every student reach his or her potential.
“I have graduated more than 3500 students as the principal of Mamaroneck High School,” Orfinger said. “But this graduation will be especially emotional for me, because I will be graduating with the graduating class.”
