Superintendent
promises accessibility
Lopatcong school district leader
owns long record of public education service.
Sunday, May 01, 2005 • By LINDA LISANTI •
The Express-Times
LOPATCONG TWP. -- Approachable,
accessible, knowledgeable and flexible.
These are characteristics Michael Rossi
says the school district community can come to expect from
him as its new superintendent.
Rossi, 40, was selected this week to
succeed Superintendent Albert Purdy, who is retiring July 1
after nearly two decades at the helm of the Lopatcong
Township School District.
The role of superintendent is one that
Rossi has always known he wanted to fill.
"It's something I slowly but steadily
aspired to," the lifelong Warren County resident
said.
Rossi comes from a long line of
educators. Both his brother and sister have been teaching
for 25 years. And his role model, his father, is embarking
on his 54th year in education.
They have been his
inspiration.
"They just exhibited a joy in helping
others succeed, and I have been among those they helped
succeed," he said. "I try to repay that debt by helping
others achieve their goals."
Rossi has done so thus far as a middle
and high school teacher, a Centenary College professor, a
supervisor of curriculum, a district supervisor and, most
recently, an elementary school principal with the
Hillsborough School District.
He has a bachelor's degree from Moravian
College, master's degrees from Tufts University and
Montclair State University and a doctorate from Seton Hall
University.
He said his experience makes him a good
match for Lopatcong Township, where he believes there is a
strong dedication to success for all children, a good
relationship between the teachers and administration and a
sense of commitment to the community.
Rossi's self-professed leadership style
is to work collegially and cooperatively with all the school
district's stakeholders -- teachers, parents, students and
school board members.
The strength of any school district, he
said, "comes from having a shared governance and commitment
to student achievement."
Rossi was chosen by the school board over
Beth Godett, of Clinton, the director of education in the
South Amboy School District.
After observing Rossi in his own
district, school board President Ernie Gallant said, it was
clear he was the right person for the job.
Everyone they talked to -- teachers,
administrators, specialists, secretaries -- gave Rossi a
glowing review, Gallant said.
"I was skeptical at first, but I couldn't
find anybody who had a bad thing to say," he said. "They all
loved working with him."
Rossi's experience as an elementary
school principal and father of three, ages 10, 8 and 4, also
worked to his benefit because he will double as Lopatcong
Elementary School principal.
"We're looking for him to move us
forward," Gallant said. "We're relatively strong as it is,
but we're always looking to improve."
Rossi will join the district July
1.
His three-year contract includes a salary
of $112,500, which will increase by 3 percent each
subsequent year. Purdy's salary is $130,500.
The new superintendent said his immediate
goals are to get to know the district well, do a lot of
listening and earn trust and respect. He also wants to learn
as much as can from Purdy.
"I plan to honor his service by
capitalizing on all the things he has accomplished," he
said.
Reporter Linda Lisanti can be reached at 610-258-7171 or
by e-mail at llisanti@express-times.com.
© 2005 The Express-Times. Used with
permission.
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