New principal selected to lead UCP West Orange

A new principal has been selected to lead UCP West Orange Charter School.

Mischa King will replace Ziesha Williams-Gatlin, who resigned in April. 

Williams-Gatlin, who served the school since October 2023, said her decision to resign came following differences between herself and upper management on how to best move the school forward. 

Since the resignation of Tom Brickel in March 2023, two other principals, one being Williams-Gatlin, have resigned in less than a year.

Williams-Gatlin replaced Sean Mikels, who took over in April 2023 following Brickel's resignation. Mikels left the school in September 2023. 

King moved from Michigan in 2023 and has been an assistant principal/dean at charter schools for the last four years. 

Prior to these roles, she was an ESE teacher for more than seven years.

She also has a masters degree in education administration.

"We had an extensive interview process that included the education leadership team and then the campus administration team and teachers/ed support staff," school leaders said in a parent newsletter May 20. "(King is) excited to join the UCP West Orange family, and I know you will make her feel welcome!"

King is anticipated to start with the school on Thursday, June 6, and will participate in two-day principal training before being at the campus with UCP leadership to transition for the 2024-2025 school year.