Dr. Barry Galasso Appointed As Princeton Interim Superintendent

PRINCETON, NJ — Dr. Barry Galasso was appointed as the new Interim Superintendent of the Princeton Public Schools by the Board of Education on Tuesday.

Galasso will take over on July 1 for current Superintendent Steve Cochrane, who is retiring at the end of this school year. Galasso will serve for the next six to 12 months while the Board searches for a permanent replacement.

"We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Galasso to Princeton," said Beth Behrend, President of the Board of Education. "He brings deep experience and expertise from his decades of work with multiple school districts. Dr. Galasso's skilled leadership will serve PPS well as we keep the focus on our mission and navigate the challenges ahead, including meeting the diverse needs of our students in the evolving pandemic environment and beyond."

Galasso has more than 50 years of public education experience. Galasso served for a total of 21 years as a superintendent in three different New Jersey districts until his retirement, when he then spent eight years as executive director of the Bucks County Intermediate Unit in Doylestown, Pennsylvania.

Most recently, Galasso served for six months as interim superintendent of the Voorhees Public Schools in 2019.

"Dr. Galasso's prior experience with remote learning and innovative solutions in Bucks County will be particularly helpful in the uncharted territory of the months ahead. We will be rethinking the effective delivery of public education while staying focused on equity, wellness and balance," said Behrend.

Galasso has served as president of both the New Jersey Association of School Administrators and the Pennsylvania Association of Intermediate Units. He also served as a governing board member of the national organization, the American Association of School Administrators.

For the past 25 years, Dr. Galasso has taught curriculum, leadership and administrative courses at institutions of higher learning including Gwynedd Mercy University, Rutgers University, Rowan University and Fairleigh Dickinson. He has facilitated and led numerous school board/superintendent retreats as well as superintendent searches.

He received the President's Award from Rowan University for the development of an in-district master's degree program. Galasso received his Doctorate in Education from Rutgers University and lives with his wife in Sewell.

The Board will begin the search for a permanent superintendent in the weeks ahead.

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