Shelby City Schools is pleased to announce Joe Morabito as the next principal of Shelby High School, following approval by the Shelby Board of Education at its February meeting.
Morabito currently serves as principal of Plymouth High School, a role he has held since 2018. He brings 16 years of administrative experience to Shelby, along with a background as a teacher and athletic director. He will succeed John Gies, who is retiring after 20 years of dedicated leadership at Shelby High School.
“When Mr. Gies began talking about retiring last summer, I knew this position would need to be filled by someone with a tremendous amount of experience to continue to lead a veteran staff that continues to raise the bar in academics and offerings,” said Superintendent Michael Browning. “What Mr. Morabito brings is experience as a teacher, an athletic director, and many years as a school administrator. Additionally, he showed the search committee his greatest asset, which is his care and commitment to the students and staff he is leading.”
Morabito said he is honored to join the Shelby community and looks forward to building on the strong traditions already in place.
“It was a difficult decision to leave Plymouth, as that is where I have spent most of my time in education,” Morabito said. “But to lead a high school with Shelby’s academic and extracurricular expectations is a great honor. I am proud to be a Whippet.”
Morabito served as athletic director at Plymouth High School from 2006 to 2010 before becoming principal at Mapleton High School. He later served as principal of both Mapleton Middle School and High School for six years, followed by two years as principal at Galion Middle School. He then returned to Plymouth, where he previously taught, to serve as high school principal.
The Board of Education approved a three-year contract for Morabito beginning Aug. 1, 2026. Shelby City Schools looks forward to welcoming him and continuing to maximize learning and opportunity for every student at Shelby High School.