T-L Photo/KIM NORTH THOMAS DALEY, center, is the new Bridgeport High School principal. The decision was announced during Wednesday night’s regular monthly board of education meeting. He is flanked by board President Don Cash, left, and Superintendent Zac Shutler.

BRIDGEPORT — Thomas Daley was named the next principal of Bridgeport High School on Wednesday.

He was hired for the post during the Bridgeport Exempted Village School District’s regular monthly board of education meeting in the Central Office on Wednesday. He is expected to receive his fifth- through 12th-grade principal licensure from Indiana Wesleyan University in May and to begin his new duties as principal on Aug. 1.

Daley, 37, is currently a science instructor at the Jefferson County Joint Vocational School in Bloomingdale, a position he has held since 2005. He also has been the High Schools That Work site coordinator at the JVS since 2007.

“I am looking forward to working with the staff, the board of education, the students and the community,” Daley told the board after it approved his hiring on a 5-0 vote. “I’ve really been impressed with the facilities, both academically and athletically.”

A 1998 graduate of Steubenville Catholic Central High School, Daley obtained his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Franciscan University of Steubenville in 2002 and 2009, respectively. In between, he earned his Adolescent to Young Adult Life Sciences licensure from Franciscan in 2005.

“From everyone I’ve talked to he’s an A+ person,” Superintendent Zac Shutler said of Daley. “What he lacks in experience, I was in the same position six to seven years ago. He just needs that first shot, and I’m glad that we’ve been able to offer him that.”

Daley replaces Rob Zitzelsberger, who announced his retirement after a long tenure with the district, both as an educator and a coach. He will remain principal until the end of the academic year.

Shutler said the search committee received a large number of resumes. Members narrowed the number to seven candidates, who were interviewed. That number was then pared to four and brought in for more extensive interviews, background checks and more before a final decision was made.

“We had a lot of quality candidates,” Shutler noted. “But, in the end, Mr. Daley was the best choice for us.”

Daley was born and raised in Mingo Junction before matriculating to Steubenville 10 years ago, where he and his wife, Julie, and their 2-year-old daughter, Grace, reside.

In his cover letter to the board, Daley said, “I am first, and foremost, committed to doing what is in the best interests of our students.”

Board member Jerry Moore said he thinks Daley will fit right in.

“I think you’ll be happy here,” he said. “Welcome to the family, and welcome to the team.”

Daley also has an extensive background in coaching football. He has coached football as a varsity assistant coach at St. John Central in Bellaire, Harrison Central and Steubenville Catholic under his brother, Steve. He was also head coach of Bishop Mussio Junior High in Steubenville.

“I’ve been coaching football for 15 years,” he told the board.

In other news, the five-member panel also unanimously approved the following matters:

∫ Shelli Macurak as a substitute cook, retroactive to Feb. 20;

∫ supplemental contracts to Kori Rosnick (varsity softball assistant coach); Tara Carpenter (JV softball coach); Steve Dulesky and Tierney Duncan (volunteer softball coaches); Billy Timko (varsity baseball assistant coach); Dom Vinci (JV baseball coach); and Nick Koval and Tim Smith (volunteer baseball coaches);

∫ the resignation of Mary Ikey as three-hour cook, retroactive to March 31.

Students of the Month for December/January were Maura Tiber (freshman), Mary Grendel (sophomore), Karissa Eoff (junior) and Alexis Bowers (senior).

The next regular monthly board of education meeting will be held at 6 p.m. April 19.