JAMESTOWN – The Jamestown Board of Education appointed a new Jefferson Middle School principal and director of student support services Tuesday night.
Leslie Melquist will be taking over for Chad Bongiovanni who will become the JPS Director of Student Services. Previously, Melquist was the assistant principal at Jamestown High School.
She was also the assistant principal at Persell Middle School, a biology teacher at Jamestown High School and a science teacher at Jefferson and Persell.
Melquist obtained her master’s degree in Educational Leadership from Edinboro University, her master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction from SUNY Fredonia and her bachelor’s degree in biology from SUNY Fredonia. Mrs. Melquist has her NYS Professional Certification as a School Building Leader.
“I am excited for the opportunity to become part of the Jefferson Middle School community and I am looking forward to continuing the path of excellence, working in collaboration with teachers, students, and families,” said Melquist. “I have truly enjoyed my time at Jamestown High School and will miss the students, staff and families that I have had the privilege of working with while at JHS.”
The board of education also appointed former Jefferson Middle School principle Chad Bongiovanni to Director of Student Support Services.
In his new position, school officials said Bongiovanni is responsible for providing expert leadership that includes developing and implementing a vision that encompasses a comprehensive student services plan in accordance with laws and regulations over all areas assigned within the department that lead to academic, social and emotional success for all students.
“I have loved being the principal at Jefferson Middle School,” said Bongiovanni. “It has been an honor and a privilege serving the Jefferson community for the past four years. I have enjoyed working with students and watching them grow academically, socially and emotionally. I have also loved working with Jefferson families who care so much about their children and their education. Although I am excited to take on this new challenge in our district, I will dearly miss working with the students, parents and staff of the Jefferson community.”
Prior to becoming principal at Jefferson Middle School, Bongiovanni was Jefferson’s assistant principal.
He has also been a district-wide instructional coach collaborating with educators in third through eight grades and a general education teacher at Love Elementary School teaching second through fourth grades.
Bongiovanni received his bachelor’s degree in Childhood Education and Students with Disabilities at the University of Charleston. He received his master’s degree in Literacy Education and a Certificate of Advanced Study: School Building Leader from the State University of New York at Fredonia. He also has his NYS Professional Certification in Literacy Education, Childhood Education and Students with Disabilities.
Leave a Reply