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NEW JERSEY ASSOCIATION OF SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS
Press ReleaseContact Anne H. Gallagher
NJASA Director of Communications
609-599-2900, ext. 126
The 2014 New Jersey Association of School Administrators Central Regional Superintendent of the Year Dr. Philip J. Guenther is available to comment on education-related issues.
Atlantic City, New Jersey, October 22, 2013.... Dr. Philip J. Guenther, Chief Education Officer, Atlantic County Vocational School District was selected the 2014 New Jersey Association of School Administrators (NJASA) Southern Regional Superintendent of the Year. He was introduced today at the Opening General Session of the Annual Fall Workshop in Atlantic City. The workshop is co-sponsored by the New Jersey Association of School Administrators (NJASA), the New Jersey Association of School Business Officials (NJASBO) and the New Jersey School Boards Association (NJSBA).
This is the sixth year of NJASA’s selection process to choose three regional - Southern, Central and Northern - Superintendents of the Year winners. The two other chief education officers joining Guenther are: Northern Regional winner – Patrick J. Fletcher, Chief Education Officer, River Dell Regional School District; and
Central Regional winner – Dr. Michael Gorman, Chief Education Officer, Pemberton Township Public Schools.
NJASA Executive Director Richard G. Bozza said, “NJASA is pleased to have someone of Phil Guenther’s stature receive this well-respected honor. His unique background and pedagogical experience has assisted in improving educational efforts throughout Atlantic County.”
Curriculum initiatives, a hallmark of Guenther’s instructional leadership, provide the students of the Atlantic County Vocational School District with several unique and innovative programs.
Under his leadership, the Atlantic County Institute of Technology (ACIT) and the Atlantic County Special Services School District were consolidated into one Board of Education. The Atlantic County Institute of Technology was transitioned to a comprehensive high school with 400 new students beginning as freshman this past September, with an estimated total enrollment of 1200 students. The Pathways program for students classified as eligible for special education services began in the 2012-2013 school year and provides full-time programs in culinary, fashion, automotive and health occupations.
Guenther’s vision is the driving force behind the national recognition in 2008 and 2013 bestowed upon the ACIT by the annual US News & World Report article – America’s Best High Schools. The New Jersey Department of Education has categorized ACIT under the ESEA waiver as a Reward School.
Southern Regional winner Guenther, a member of NJASA since 2004, began his professional career as an English teacher in the Atlantic City High School. Currently, he serves as President of the New Jersey Council of County Vocational-Technical Schools.
During his educational career that spans 30 plus years, he climbed the leadership ladder of the Atlantic City High School, the Atlantic County Vocational Technical School and the Atlantic County Institute of Technology. In 2004, he was named Chief Education Officer of the Atlantic County Vocational School District.
A resident of Brigantine, Guenther has been active in the community and served as the City’s Deputy Mayor from 1990 to 1992. In 1993 was elected Mayor of Brigantine, a position he still holds today.
Each regional winner was judged on the following qualifications: 1) minimum of five years experience as a chief education officer; 2) record of service within their respective county affiliate and NJASA; and 3) a distinguished record as an educator.
The next step in the process for the three regional winners will be the selection of a New Jersey candidate to participate in the AASA National Superintendent of the Year Award. A committee of NJASA Past Presidents will select the 2014 New Jersey Superintendent of the Year. The program, established in 1988 and sponsored by ARAMARK Education, VALIC, and AASA, is open to all public school superintendents in the United States and overseas.
The selection qualifications for the State and National Superintendent of the Year include: meeting the needs of their students, demonstrated communication strength, a commitment to professional development and growth, and significant community involvement. Additionally, at the state and regional levels, NJASA has an additional qualification that addresses service with the county affiliate and NJASA.
AASA will announce the National Superintendent of the Year at its Annual Conference on Education in February 2014. The recipient of this prestigious honor will receive a $10,000 college scholarship for a student at the high school where the superintendent graduated.
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About NJASA:
The New Jersey Association of School Administrators is an organization of chief education officers and school administrators who lead school districts in New Jersey’s 21 counties. The Association’s mission is to ensure a superior statewide system of education. Through ongoing professional training and education, the Association shares knowledge among its members about best practices from both educational and administrative perspectives. Its goal is to move education forward by ensuring the highest quality of instruction for all New Jersey children. The Association is located 920 West State Street, Trenton, New Jersey 08618-5328. For more information -- PH: 609.599.2900 / Fax: 609.599.9359 / website: www.njasa.net
Education Brief Videos
Due to the complexity of educational topics, NJASA has released a series of videos to help parents and taxpayers better understand the issues. Each video can be accessed on a special NJASA YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/user/TheNJASA or by clicking on the YouTube icon on the NJASA website, www.njasa.net.
