2025-2026 News Releases

Press Release:
Contact Anne H. Gallagher
NJASA Director of Communications
agallagher@njasa.net

NJASA Announces 2026 New Jersey Superintendent of the Year

The 2026 New Jersey Superintendent of the Year Dr. Raymond A. González, Chief Education Officer, Westfield Public School District, is available to comment on Education-Related Issues.

Trenton, NJ, November 11, 2025…. Dr. Raymond A. González is designated New Jersey's 2026 Superintendent of the Year by the New Jersey Association of School Administrators (NJASA) and is now a contender for the National Superintendent of the Year Award by the American Association of School Administrators (AASA). In September, NJASA also recognized Dr. González, as a New Jersey Region Superintendent of the Year. The other regional honoree included Dr. John R. Giacchi, Chief Education Officer, Franklin Borough School District.

The AASA will celebrate each state representative and announce the National Superintendent of the Year at its National Conference on Education in February 2026 in Nashville TN. This prestigious award, now in its 39th year, honors the talent and vision of educational leaders across the U.S.

“NJASA is proud to see a leader of this caliber receive such well-earned recognition - Dr. González’s breadth of knowledge, strategic insight, and unwavering commitment to excellence continue to advance progress across New Jersey’s public education system,” said NJASA Executive Director Dr. Richard G. Bozza.

In accepting the New Jersey Superintendent of the Year title, Dr. Raymond A. González shared his appreciation. “Being named the New Jersey Superintendent of the Year is an incredible honor,” said González. “This recognition reflects the extraordinary work happening across all our schools. I am profoundly grateful to our students, staff, families, and Board of Education. Together, we remain steadfast in our commitment to fostering inclusive and innovative learning environments where every child can thrive.”

The 2026 New Jersey Superintendent of the Year, Dr. González, is a dynamic and visionary educational leader with more than 27 years of proven success transforming school districts through innovative leadership, strategic planning, and fiscal stewardship.

Throughout his career, he has been recognized for advancing academic excellence, leading multimillion-dollar bond initiatives to enhance facilities and learning environments and championing responsible AI integration to elevate student outcomes and support instructional advancement.

Serving as Chief Education Officer of Westfield Public Schools since August 2021, Dr. González leads ten schools serving more than 5,800 students, supported by 800 staff, with an annual operating budget exceeding $133 million. Under his leadership, the district earned overwhelming voter approval for a historic $225 million bond referendum - the second largest in New Jersey history - developed through a comprehensive, community-driven process to prioritize safety, sustainability, and expanded academic opportunities while enhancing learning environments districtwide.

On the academic front, he has strengthened curriculum coherence, implemented a district-wide DEI framework, and launched a five-year strategic plan focused on safety and wellness, teaching and learning, leadership and governance, community and culture, and finance and facilities. Partnering closely with a largely new Board, he has updated over 100 policies, reorganized committees, and enhanced governance to improve communication, alignment, and decision-making.

From the start, Dr. González has guided the Westfield district through significant fiscal challenges, aligning administrators and the Board to balance non-discretionary expenditures without increasing class sizes or cutting programs. His efforts included shifting the annual budget vote to April, creating a more sustainable financial path for the district. Dr. González frequently presents statewide on strategic approaches to navigating the fiscal cliff and sustaining educational excellence in constrained funding environments.

Prior to leading the Westfield district, Dr. González served as Chief Education Officer of the Westwood Regional School District, Chief Education Officer in Wayne Township, and Interim Superintendent and Assistant Superintendent of Hackensack Public Schools, delivering transformative leadership across all districts while leveraging his expertise in governance, technology, and community engagement. Earlier in his career, he oversaw curriculum, instruction, special education, and assessment in Paterson Public Schools and began his career as a Bilingual/ESL teacher, building a foundation of firsthand experience in education.

A graduate of Princeton University, Dr. González earned advanced degrees from New Jersey City University and Rutgers University, where he also completed his Doctorate in Educational Administration and Supervision.

His professional achievements include recognition as NJALAS Superintendent of the Year (2023), and the Rutgers Graduate School of Education Distinguished Leader in Education Award (2018). Widely respected for his thought leadership, he has authored professional articles and delivered workshops on leadership and innovation, and is recognized statewide for guiding strategic planning, governance, and the responsible integration of AI in schools while maintaining instructional integrity and community trust.

Beyond his professional work, Dr. González is a devoted husband and proud father of three children, committed to family and community.

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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.

NJASA Names NJASA Regional Superintendents of the Year Sept. 2025

NJASA Names NJASA Regional Superintendents of the Year Sept. 2025

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

NJASA Names NJASA Regional Superintendents of the Year

From left, NJASA Immediate Past-President Nelyda Perez congratulates the 2026 NJASA Regional Superintendents of the Year: Dr. John R. Giacchi, Chief Education Officer, Franklin Borough School District; and Dr. Raymond A. González, Chief Education Officer, Westfield Public School District. Looking on is NJASA President Dr. Rick Falkenstein.

Trenton, NJ October 1, 2025…… The New Jersey Association of School Administrators (NJASA) has selected the 2026 NJASA Regional Superintendents of the Year. They are: Dr. John R. Giacchi, Chief Education Officer, Franklin Borough School District; and Dr. Raymond A. González, Chief Education Officer, Westfield Public School District.

The Regional Superintendents of the Year will be introduced at the Annual Fall Workshop in Atlantic City on Tuesday, October 21st. The Workshop is co-sponsored by NJASA, the New Jersey Association of School Business Officials (NJASBO), and the New Jersey School Boards Association (NJSBA).

“On behalf of NJASA, it is an honor to recognize and congratulate New Jersey’s 2026 Regional Superintendents of the Year,” said NJASA Executive Director Dr. Richard G. Bozza. “These outstanding chief education officers exemplify vision, creativity, and compassion in their leadership, making a lasting difference for the students, staff, and communities they so proudly serve.”

"I am honored to be named a Regional Superintendent of the Year,” said Dr. John R. Giacchi. “This recognition reflects the collective efforts of my Board of Education, dedicated staff, and the entire Franklin Borough School community. This shared achievement celebrates our commitment to excellence and to supporting the whole child in every aspect of their growth."

Dr. John R. Giacchi is an accomplished educational leader with over two decades of experience in school administration, curriculum development, and instructional leadership. Currently serving as Superintendent of the Franklin Borough School District since 2016, he oversees a comprehensive PreK–8 program, where he has led transformational initiatives in curriculum innovation, strategic planning, and student-centered instruction. A forward-thinking administrator, Dr. Giacchi has prioritized the social and emotional well-being of students and staff. He has leveraged community agencies and championed initiatives such as universal preschool, NJTSS-ER, PBSIS, the Big Brother Big Sister mentoring program and the Wingman Program.

“Being named a Regional Superintendent of the Year is a true honor,” said Dr. Raymond A. González. “It is truly an honor and a reflection of the extraordinary work happening across all our schools. I’m deeply grateful to our students, staff, families, and Board of Education, as this recognition reaffirms our shared commitment to fostering inclusive, innovative learning environments where every child can thrive.”

Dr. Raymond A. González is an accomplished leader with a distinguished record of service at the school, district, and regional levels. Since joining Westfield in August 2021, he has drawn upon his extensive administrative experience and personal commitment to education to guide the district with vision, collaboration, and innovation. His career reflects a steady progression of leadership roles across New Jersey school systems, including serving as Superintendent of the Westwood Regional School District, Superintendent in Wayne Township, and Interim Superintendent and Assistant Superintendent of Hackensack Public Schools.

The next step in the process for the 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 2026 New Jersey Superintendent of the Year. Now in its 39^th 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 2026.

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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.

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