Valdrighi tabbed as next New Kent High School principal

When outgoing New Kent High School principal Yvonne Jones announced her resignation effective at the conclusion of the 2013-14 school year in February, she desired her predecessor to take the high school to bigger and better things. Apparently New Kent’s school board found Jones’ wishes a few doors down the hallway.

Chris Valdrighi, a current assistant principal at the high school, received the nod as the new principal for 2014-15 at New Kent High School during the school board’s regular April 7 meeting.

The Mathews County native began his education career in 1989 after graduating Randolph-Macon College. Valdrighi received a master’s degree from Virginia Commonwealth University, and has previous administrative years as an assistant principal at Essex High School in Tappahannock, and principal of Middlesex High School from 2004-08. Now, after five years as an assistant principal at New Kent High School, he takes the reins for the outgoing Jones, someone who he greatly admires.

“Mrs. Jones is a classy lady and has been a joy working with her,” said the newly appointed principal. “I enjoyed bouncing ideas off of her and she gave us the freedom and leeway to do things to achieve goals and make this school successful.”

Valdrighi is also a “fan favorite” of the students. While he admits he has to play the role as the bad guy at times, he loves the students and atmosphere he works in.

“I’m thrilled that I am getting the opportunity and now it is a dream come true,” he continued. “I’m just excited and I can’t thank the school board and my coworkers enough for the opportunity and belief in me.

“I have a special relationship with the students,” Valdrighi continued. “They’re great and mature and understand at one point I may be the bad guy but later on they come up to me and ask me what’s going on and understand that the things I do are for their benefit.”

As far as the future in concerned, he said Jones has done a lot and it will be difficult to top the things she’s done.

“I’m all about surrounding myself with good people,” he said. “I want to give them leadership and authority to run their departments smoothly so we may continue to be successful.

“Our school is already in great shape,” he added. “We’re going to tweak things here or there and do the little things we need to get better.”

Valdrighi’s stint as the new principal will begin effective July 1.

In other New Kent school board matters, chairwoman Leigh Quick provided an update on a search for a new superintendent of schools.

Quick announced the field of prospects has been narrowed down to 25 recommendations from Virginia’s School Board Association (VSBA). Of the 25 candidates, six are current or former superintendents of schools, six are current assistant superintendents, and the other 13 are current principals and central office workers.

Current New Kent superintendent of schools Rick Richardson is set to retire July 30.