Jim Thorpe Area School District hired several new employees Wednesday night, including new leadership for the high school.

The district’s school board approved hiring Ryan Delong as high school principal effective Aug. 16 at a salary of $102,500. Delong, the current assistant principal, will follow Thomas Lesisko, who is retiring. Lesisko led the school since being hired in May 2004.

The district on Wednesday also approved hiring Avery Hower as high school assistant principal effective Aug. 16 at a salary of $90,000. Hower is currently a special education teacher in the district.

“We want to keep that great culture and school spirit,” Delong, who had previous stints at Panther Valley and East Stroudsburg, said. “It’s about creating excitement for the kids. Show up at events and show them that you care. That is what I plan to do.”

Delong said he wants to take an active role in student life beyond academics.

“I don’t want to be an ordinary principal,” he said. “We’re talking about starting an outdoors club, and I want to be part of that. I got to go out to Skirmish with them this year. I got to go out whitewater rafting with them a couple weeks ago. I’m here for them, and I’ll do whatever I can do so they have a future. I enjoy life and I want them to enjoy life.”

Every student, Delong said, has something special to offer and he hopes to help pull that out of them.

“I want our teachers to pull that out of them, too, so they can achieve their potential,” he said. “Sometimes we as adults want it more than they do, and I just want them to see their self-worth. And that’s the biggest thing that they can achieve.”

As he prepares to take on the new role, Delong had a message for students, parents, and the community.

“I want them to know that I care and I’m here for each and every one of their children,” he said. “They become my children. And I care what they do after high school. One of my former students just had a baby. Another was just down excavating my property. Those are the connections that I want to build. And I want them to know that I’m there for the long term, no matter what.”

Jim Thorpe canceled its July board meeting, meaning Wednesday was the last one for Lesisko.

“I’ve said it before, but he’s one of the best that I have ever worked with,” Superintendent Robert Presley said of Lesisko. “We’re going to miss him greatly and we hope he has a wonderful retirement.”