New High School Leader Appointed: Lori Orestano-James

September 23, 2011

At its September 15 meeting, the Monticello Central School District Board of Education appointed Lori Orestano-James as the new Monticello High School Principal. Ms. Orestano-James will officially begin in her new position on October 3 at a salary of $115,000.

“I am honored to have been chosen to serve the Monticello school community,” said Ms. Orestano-James, who is a Monticello High School graduate (Class of 1981). “It is a privilege to return to my alma mater in this capacity. I am proud and look forward to working as a team with students, teachers, parents, administrators and community members in moving Monticello High School toward academic excellence for all students.”

In addition to serving as one of the high school assistant principals during the 2010-2011 school year, Ms. Orestano-James has a long history in Monticello Schools. She began her career in 1985 as a music teacher in the Robert J. Kaiser Middle School and subsequently served as assistant principal from 1995 to 2004. Prior to returning to Monticello, Ms. Orestano-James was the director of music for the Tri-Valley Central School District in Grahamsville, NY.

Ms. Orestano-James received her bachelor’s degree in Music Education from Ithaca College and a Master of Science in Education and a Certificate of Advanced Studies in Educational Administration from SUNY New Paltz. Presently, she is a Doctoral Candidate in Educational Administration at Nova Southeastern University. She is certified by NY State as a School District Administrator, K-12 music teacher and N-6 elementary school teacher.

Ms. Orestano-James serves as a committee member of the NY State Education Department Course Curriculum Catalogue Field Workgroup defining curriculum coursework coding and protocol. She is the vice president of the NY State Council of Administrators of Music Education (NYSCAME) and is a member of the executive board of the NY State School Music Association (NYSSMA). She is married to WSUL/WVOS news director and radio personality Bill James and has one daughter, Jessica.

Photo: Superintendent of Schools Daniel A. Teplesky welcomes newly appointed Monticello High School Principal Lori Orestano-James to his administrative team.