Belleville Schools ‘Back In Black’ Under Tomko, Council Says

BELLEVILLE, NJ — Belleville Superintendent Richard Tomko was recognized with a proclamation at a recent town council meeting for his “excellence and devotion” at the head of the local school district.

The council awarded Tomko a proclamation that noted his “dedication, commitment and perseverance” at the helm of the Belleville Public School District. The March 28 proclamation came after Tomko was selected by Education Week as one of “Eight Leaders to Learn From in 2023.”

According to town officials, Tomko was hired when the school district was under state oversight for long-term financial mismanagement, including the accruement of more than $4 million in debt.

“Dr. Tomko made personal connections with district personnel, earned stakeholders’ trust and leveraged district resources – even reconfiguring the district’s grade levels to free up classroom space at the middle school and repurposing an old factory to create a new community-shared athletic center,” town officials stated in a news release.

“Within four years, the school district was back in the black,” officials said.

“I’m am very grateful to receive this recognition from the township,” Tomko said, praising past partnerships between the town and school district, such as the Winter Festival.

“It’s very humbling that the writers and editors at Education Week chose to focus on me,” Tomko said. “But we couldn’t have made the strides that we’ve made in Belleville without the tireless work and deep dedication of our amazing administrators, teachers, staff members and Board of Education members.”

“Each day we get the chance to make a better future for almost 5,000 children,” he added. “That’s a tremendous responsibility, but I couldn’t ask for a better job.”

The proclamation isn’t the first time in recent history that Tomko has earned recognition for his work in Belleville. He received the Essex County Superintendent of the Year award in 2020-2021.

• See Related: Essex County's School Superintendent Of Year Is From Belleville

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