Matt Kukoda Named New Holmdel High School Principal

HOLMDEL, NJ - Following a successful vote of approval from the Holmdel Township School Board, current district athletics supervisor Matt Kukoda has been selected to be new principal of Holmdel High School amid the departure of current principal Brian Schillaci.

Kukoda will assume his new position on July 15.

The incoming administrator has previously served as Supervisor of Curriculum and Instruction in the Wall Public Schools before becoming the Supervisor of Athletics, Health & Physical Education at Holmdel High School in 2020. He holds a master’s degree in education from Seton Hall University and is currently a doctoral candidate at the same school. Read more: Holmdel School District Welcomes New Athletic Supervisor

Thank you! Let's get to work! https://t.co/9Zudq8hqrt
— Matt Kukoda (@Matt_KUkoda) July 15, 2021

“Since joining the district, Mr. Kukoda has distinguished himself by demonstrating highly effective leadership and professionalism. Matt’s leadership skills were particularly impressive given the challenges presented by the Coronavirus pandemic over the last year,” said School Board President Vicky Flynn. “He brings a new level of energy and competence to this position and we are confident that Mr. Kukoda will continue to meet our high expectations.”

Effective July 1, Brian Schillaci, who formerly served as the Principal at both the Village and Indian Hill Schools, will move from his current position as Principal of the Holmdel High School to become Principal of Indian Hill Elementary School and implement a new math program. Lisa Vitale, Principal at Indian Hill Elementary school, will now serve as co-principal (alongside current principal Art Howard) at Village Elementary School for the 2021-22 school year, where she will work to implement a new reading program.

In a news release, the Holmdel school district noted that Interim Superintendent Lee Seitz personally reviewed resumes of dozens of candidates for Kudoka’s position, but was continually drawn-back to Mr. Kukoda’s integrity, intelligence and energy, and his established reputation as a leader within the Holmdel school community.

“I’ve hired dozens of principals over the years, and rarely do you see someone so prepared to take the next step in his or her career,” said Seitz. “His strong grasp of educational issues, his experience working in Holmdel, and his willingness to make tough decisions made Matt the right candidate to lead the high school into its next half century of existence.”

The district has begun a search for a new Supervisor of Athletics, Health and Physical Education.

The district's recent reorganization reportedly aims to close the gap on learning loss related to school disruption caused by the ongoing pandemic, according to an emailed statement from the school district. New initiatives for the upcoming school year include a reading program, the step-up program, a science program, programs for gifted and talented students and additional special services.

“There is no question that some students have experienced varying degrees of learning loss over the last year due to pandemic-related school interruptions. The district is committed to ensuring that any student who fell behind over the last year will get the specialized attention they need in order to catch up,” said Seitz.

“Mr. Schillaci and Mrs. Vitale have demonstrated leadership abilities and the district believes their experienced leadership is crucial to the successful implementation of our new programs and, more importantly, restoring the learning loss that our students encountered as a result of the pandemic.”