West Orange BOE OKs Jeffrey Rutzky as School Superintendent

Last evening the West Orange Board of Education appointed Mr. Jeffrey Rutzky by a unanimous vote, as Superintendent of the West Orange Public Schools commencing on July 1, 2014.  The Board's four year contract was approved by the Essex County Executive on April 21, 2014.

Mr. Rutzky is currently the Superintendent of the Roseland School District. His previous experience includes as middle school principal in the Parsippany Troy Hills School District, as elementary school principal in the Ridgefield School District and as assistant high school principal in the Teaneck School District. Mr. Rutzky's many strengths include the positive impact he has made on NJASK scores in the districts he has served, as well as his understanding of the strong relationship between parent involvement and student success.

“We believe Jeffrey Rutzky is the right choice for West Orange at this time,” says West Orange Board of Education President Sandra Mordecai.  “He brings the curriculum leadership that we need to increase student achievement as we continue to implement new curricula, the PARCC assessment, and teacher and principal evaluations.  His experience in diverse districts such as Teaneck and South Orange/Maplewood will also be of added value to West Orange”. 

“I am honored to be the next Superintendent of the West Orange School District and to work with the exemplary administrators, teachers and support staff to be found here,” said Mr. Jeff Rutzky during his introductory remarks. “To have knowledge and experience in all three levels of education, elementary, middle and high school is an important part of what I bring to the table,” Rutzky continued. “ My most important job is to remind everybody that our job is about the students first ….. and helping them transition from secondary school to great success in life.”

Board member Michelle Casilino noted Mr. Rutzky’s integrity, hard work ethic. Board member Laura Lab called the hiring of Mr. Rutzky a ‘new era’ for the West Orange schools and said Mr. Rutzky ‘stood out heads and shoulders above the other candidates’. Board member Ron Charles noted Mr. Rutzky’s strong curriculum experience, zero budget philosophy and was impressed by the long hours he commits to his work. Board member Mark Robertson added that he is impressed by Mr. Rutzky’s teacher development and accountability focus, his strength on budget issues and technology.

On Wednesday April 30th Mr. Rutzky is scheduled to meet administrators beginning at 2:00PM, and teachers and staff at 3:00PM at Liberty Middle School. In the coming weeks information on meetings with the district’s Parent Teacher Associations and community leadership will be made available. 

 “We welcome Mr. Rutzky to West Orange and would like all of you to join us in making him feel at home,” concluded Mordecai.