• Press Release
    Contact Anne H. Gallagher
    NJASA Director of Communications
    609-599-2900, ext. 126
    agallagher@njasa.net

     

     

    NJASA Names Three Regional Superintendents of the Year

     

    Region I
    Dr. Nicholas A. Bernice
    Ringwood School District

    Region II
    Dr. Scott Rubin
    Cranford Public Schools

     

    Region III
    Beth F. Norcia
    Maple Shade School District

     

    The 2024 NJASA Regional Superintendents of the Year Are Available to Comment on Education-Related Issues.

     

    Atlantic City, NJ October 24, 2023…… The New Jersey Association of School Administrators (NJASA) has selected three regional 2024 Superintendents of the Year. They are: Region I recipient – Dr. Nicholas A. Bernice, Chief Education Officer, Ringwood School District; Region II recipient – Dr. Scott Rubin, Chief Education Officer, Cranford Public Schools; and Region III recipient – Beth F. Norcia, Chief Education Officer, Maple Shade School District.

    The three Regional Superintendents of the Year were introduced today at the Annual Fall Workshop in Atlantic City. The Workshop is co-sponsored by NJASA, the New Jersey Association of School Business Officials (NJASBO), and the New Jersey School Boards Association (NJSBA).

    NJASA Executive Director Dr. Richard G. Bozza said, "On behalf of NJASA, it is a privilege to acknowledge and congratulate New Jersey’s 2024 three regional superintendents. They are remarkable chief education officers with vision, imagination, and compassion for the students, staff and communities they serve."


    Dr. Bernice, Region I recipient, is a recognized county and regional superintendent from Ringwood's Public Schools, formerly an award-winning principal and a successful high school science teacher. His educational and leadership philosophy has demonstrated remarkable success over his 22-year career in public education. Currently, he serves as an executive board member of the Northern Region Educational Services Commission and the Passaic County Superintendents Association. His service, as a member of the U.S. Coast Guard Reserve, is noteworthy from his participation in the Coast Guard’s response to the attack on September 11, 2001 in New York City to, most recently in 2022, being selected by the Departments of State, Defense, and Homeland Security to lead the K-12 educational program for over 1,600 Afghan child evacuees who were living in the Safe Haven at Joint Base McGuire, Dix, Lakehurst in New Jersey.

    Region II recipient Dr. Rubin has a solid history of forming strong relationships with school community partners, collaboratively working towards a common vision, and promoting a culture of honest reflection where ideas are sincerely considered and valued. The outcomes of this team-oriented approach yield a supportive and engaging environment where everyone has equitable access to opportunities and resources and is empowered to thrive. Dr. Rubin joined the Cranford Public School District as the chief education officer in 2017. Currently, he serves as President of the Union County Superintendent’s Roundtable (UCSR). Prior to his presidency, he served as the UCSR Treasurer. Dr Rubin additionally represents Union County on the NJASA Professional Development Committee.

    Mrs. Norcia, Region III recipient, has been a leader in Teen Mental Health for the last several years. The Maple Shade School District was one of the first New Jersey school districts to provide Youth Mental Health First Aid to adults in the school community, and beyond, and has accepted several grants in the teen Mental Health First Aid (tMHFA) program. Governor Murphy, in February 2020, visited Maple Shade to see the lessons in practice and to announce new initiatives to support youth mental health. Mrs. Norcia is a member of the task force to develop the NJ Comprehensive School-Based Mental Health Resource Guide. Additionally, she was selected to present with the Rutgers Northeast and Caribbean MHTTC School Mental Health Initiative on Suicide and Substance Use Risk and Assessment.

    The next step in the process for the three regional recipients 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 and former Regional Superintendents of the Year will select the 2024 New Jersey Superintendent of the Year. Now in its 37th year, the National Superintendent of the Year® Program pays tribute to the talent and vision of the men and women who lead our nation's public schools. This program is sponsored by First Student, Corebridge Financial and AASA.

    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.

    AASA will announce the National Superintendent of the Year at its Conference on Education in February 2024.

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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 at 920 West State Street, Trenton, New Jersey 08618-5328. For more information -- PH: 609.599.2900 / Fax: 609.599.9359 / website: www.njasa.net.