October 27, 2010 THE VILLADOM TIMES II • Page 7 Glen Rock Verducci is Northern Regional Superintendent of Year Glen Rock Superintendent of Schools Dr. David C. Verducci has been named the 2011 New Jersey Association of School Administrators Northern Regional Superintendent of the Year. NJASA’s other regional winners include: central regional winner Dr. Marilyn Elgart Birnbaum, superintendent of the North Plainfield public schools, and southern regional winner Dr. Mark J. Raivetz, superintendent of the Haddon Township public schools. NJASA Executive Director Richard G. Bozza said, “Dave Verducci is a dedicated, hard-working chief education officer who continually strives to improve the quality of education for all students. His leadership provides the foundation that continues to move education forward for all the students of the Glen Rock district.” Verducci is currently overseeing the completion of a $45 million referendum construction project that includes Glen Rock High School’s new science and performing arts wings, which opened to students in September 2010. The state-of-the art facilities comprise two thirds of the total project, which is currently five months ahead of schedule and almost $5 million under budget. Some of the new classroom and laboratory spaces have been given over to the district’s K-12 pre-engineering program. One of the first of its kind in the nation, the program has received significant media attention, most notably a recent front page story in The New York Times. Highly respected in the local, state, and national educational communities, Verducci is a member of the American Association of School Administrators, a two-term member of its governing board for region six, and a past president of the Bergen County Association of School Administrators. In 2010, he was a recipient of the BCASA Distinguished Service Award. This is the most prestigious award conferred by BCASA upon its members. This recognition honors a BCASA member for outstanding contributions to education, dynamic leadership, and service to the students of New Jersey. Verducci began his professional career as an educator in 1975. During his 30-plus-year career, he has served as superintendent of three districts in Bergen County. Verducci stated that he “was deeply appreciative of the fact that all three boards of education passed resolutions supporting (his) nomination for the award.” He added, “Any success I’ve had is due to the fact that I have always held to one guiding principle: ‘Every child. Every chance. Every day.’” In addition to his service as a school superintendent, Verducci has experience teaching every level from kindergarten through graduate school. He also served as an adjunct associate professor at New York University’s Steinhardt School of Education for almost a decade. Verducci remains “close to the classroom” and recently wrote a book for his students. Based on his belief that children should “develop an understanding of other cultures in order to be able to compete in an age of globalization,” the book has proven to be immensely popular with children of all ages. Entitled “Travels with Sebastian,” the book was photographed on six continents and details the adventures of a precocious teddy bear named Sebastian on his sojourns around the world. NJASA Executive Director Richard G. Bozza said, “All three regional superintendents are remarkable educational leaders with vision, imagination, and compassion for the students they serve. Their accomplishments exemplify what every chief education officer should achieve.” Candidates for this recognition must have a minimum of five years of experience as a chief education officer, a record of service within their respective county affiliate and NJASA, and a distinguished record as an educator. The NJASA program, part of the AASA National Superintendent of the Year Award, was established in 1988 and is sponsored by ARAMARK Education, ING Foundation, and AASA. It is open to all public school superintendents in the United States and overseas. The selection qualifications for the Superintendent of the Year include: meeting the needs of their students, demonstrated communication strength, commitment to professional development and growth, and significant community involvement. Additionally, at the state and regional levels, NJASA has a fifth qualification that addresses service to the association. AASA will announce the National Superintendent of the Year at its Annual Conference on Education in February 2011. The recipient of this prestigious honor will receive a $10,000 college scholarship for a student at the high school from which the superintendent graduated. Dr. David C. Verducci Sun et Orch s Sunset Orchards Snacks • Candy • Nuts • Seeds • Seafood Zaloom Marketing Corp. 51 James St. S., Hackensack, NJ 201-488-3535 Company Store Exit 65 off I 80. 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