2019-2020 Media and Press Coverage
Murphy Readies Plan for Reopening Schools Minus Critical Team Member
NJ Spotlight
June 22, 2020
“They usually play this pretty close to the vest, so this is not that unusual,” said Richard Bozza, executive director of the state’s superintendents association. “Last time around, who would have thought Lamont?”
Still, Bozza was among those who said the continuity of leadership from the state is critical at this time, and he hoped it would be resolved soon. The departure of Eno and Hassan, among others, only adds more flux. “For districts, (the assistant commissioners) played a big role, and that’s a pretty big vacuum to fill,” he said.
Morris County Superintendent Of The Year Is Mendham Boro's Own
Patch.com
May 26, 2020
Dr. Mitzi Morillo has been selected as the Morris County Superintendent of the Year by the Morris Co. Association of School Administrators.
Old Bridge schools’ David Cittadino named Middlesex County Superintendent of the Year
mycentraljersey.com
Bridgewater Courier News
May 20, 2020
Big school cuts may be coming. Here’s where N.J. districts will slash first.
NJ.com
May 18, 2020
“The last thing you want to impact is the required part of your program, which is instruction for kids. Districts are simply running out of things to cut after a decade of difficult decisions. There is no easy area, you already see districts that are cutting staff members based on the budgets they have” Bozza said.
COVID-19 Layoffs Are Coming for N.J. Teachers. How Bad Will It Get?
NJ.com
May 15, 2020
Facing a Friday deadline to notify those teachers who won’t be brought back next year, many districts have already told non-tenured educators they won’t be offered a contract for the fall until schools know just how badly their finances will be hurt by COVID-19, said Richard Bozza, executive director of the New Jersey Association of School Administrators. And those decisions might only be a precursor to a summer of painful budget cuts forced by an almost certain decrease in state funding. “I think any significant cuts are going to be severe (for schools), and roughly 80% of school district budgets are people costs,″ Bozza said. “Nobody wants to be a doomsdayer, but there is only so much you can do.”
A ‘kick in the stomach’ — NJ won’t allow gatherings for graduation
NJ 101.5
May 11, 2020
"I think it was the right decision to suggest that we not bring students and their families together, although it is very disappointing," New Jersey Association of School Administrators Executive Director Richard Bozza said.
"We had hoped to conduct some type of in-person, socially distance modified graduation ceremony for our seniors, but unfortunately, the latest guidance from the state has eliminated that as an option. Instead, our six high schools will have virtual ceremonies on June 24," Freehold Regional Schools Superintendent Charles Sampson said.
"Personally, I am against it and it feels like another kick in the stomach for the 'Class of 2020.' We will move forward with the virtual graduation so we have something, but I am still hoping restrictions get loosened," Central Regional Schools Superintendent Tom Parlapanides said in a written response to New Jersey 101.5, adding that the executive and administrative orders that indefinitely postpone any in-person events are "devastating to the 'Class of 2020,' parents, and myself."
"This specific state directive leaves administration, staff, students and parents without their last chance to say their goodbyes in person to the Class of 2020 as they move on to their future endeavors. The poignancy and stark reality of this directive do not go unnoticed," a statement from South Hunterdon Regional High School Interim Superintendent Charles Shaddow reads.
Bozza said the school year has a cadence to it, marked by holidays and recesses and "as we get to May and June, all the celebrations of student accomplishments and milestones — so staff are really as disappointed as the students and families are, since it's tradition that has gone on for so many generations."
N.J. towns and schools brace for economic pain that could force layoffs, property taxes hikes
NJ.com
April 24, 2020
“Having the budget and having the money may be two [different] things,” said Richard Bozza, the executive director of the New Jersey Association of School Administrators. “Who knows what dire straits we may be in."
N.J. kids may wear masks in schools. How would that change the classroom?
NJ.com
April 20, 2020
Still, the mask talk is hypothetical. Murphy has ordered all schools closed until at least May 15, and about half of all states have closed for the remainder of the academic year. Education experts, including Richard Bozza, the executive director of the New Jersey Association of School Administrators, have expressed doubt that schools will reopen before September.
With NJ Schools Shut for Another Month, Lessons Learned, Advice from Front Lines
NJ Spotlight
By John Mooney
April 17, 2020
“The inequity of our poorer communities to use digital resources for students and families to connect with schooling and even their families has been bared wide open,” said Richard Bozza, a former superintendent and now executive director of the state’s superintendents association.
Gov. Murphy orders N.J. schools closed until May 15 to slow coronavirus spread
The Philadelphia Inquirer
April 16, 2020
NJASA Executive Director Dr Richard Bozza, said the announcement that schools would remain closed was no surprise. "What I’m surprised at is that he hasn’t closed schools for the remainder of the year, frankly. People are beginning to worry about even opening in September." Uncertainty breeds anxiety, Bozza said. “People are looking for as much structure as they can, he said, noting questions about how end-of-year activities like proms and graduations would work.
Gov. Murphy left N.J. schools in limbo. Was it the right decision?
NJ.com
April 16, 2020
Despite Murphy’s optimistic tone, it still seems unlikely schools will reopen, said Richard Bozza, the executive director of the New Jersey Association of School Administrators.
“I think he’s trying to hold out, but most of us think it’s inevitable that the school year, in terms of getting back into buildings, is just over,” Bozza said.
Bozza noted that Pennsylvania and New York City have already said their schools will not reopen.
Will N.J. schools reopen this year? And other burning education questions tackled.
NJ.com
April 9, 2020
“What you will see is more conversations about moving to pass/fail," predicted Bozza, the school administrators association head. "And the pushback will be from parents worried about their kid’s GPA and class rank.”
Black kids in N.J. schools are suspended at a higher rate than white kids, data shows
NJ.com
December 2, 2019
Richard Bozza, the executive director of the New Jersey Association of School Administrators, said his organization also supports the proposed investigation and expects to have one of its members on the task force.
He said New Jersey schools and districts are beginning to have “frank conversations” about students of color being disciplined more harshly. In addition, Bozza said, the group is surveying its members about existing discipline policies to help guide the inquiry.
Verona Resident Named 'Essex County Superintendent of the Year'
Patch.com (Veron-Cedar Grove)
July 3, 2019
North Brunswick superintendent receives county-wide recognition
CentralJersey.com
July 2, 2019