October 26, 2011 THE VILLADOM TIMES IV • Page 3 Ramsey Montesano named NJASA 2012 Superintendent of Year Ramsey Superintendent of Schools Dr. Roy R. Montesano has been named the 2012 New Jersey Association of School Administrators Superintendent of the Year. Dr. Montesano was selected as the state’s overall winner after earning the title for the northern region. His fellow regional winners included Metuchen Superintendent Theresa J. Pollifrone-Sinatra and Lindenwold Superintendent/ Director of Curriculum Geraldine Carroll. As New Jersey’s top honoree, Montesano will now be eligible for the AASA National Superintendent of the Year Award. Born and raised in Hackensack, Montesano attended Cook College at Rutgers University, where he received a bachelor’s degree in environmental studies. He received his master’s degree in administration from Seton Hall University and earned his doctorate in education in administration from Fordham University. He currently resides in West Orange with his wife Lisa, who is an elementary school principal in Randolph. Montesano has two children, Matthew, 21, and Bryan, 15, and two step children, Jillian, 23, and Jerry, 20. Montesano has 25 years of experience as a school administrator. He is highly respected in the state and local educational communities and is known as an effective spokesperson. He joined the Ramsey Public School District in 2006, having previously served as superintendent of the Westwood district for six years. He is president of the Bergen County Association of School Administrators. In addition, he is the recipient of the Bergen County Elementary and Middle Schools Adminis- trators Association Administrative Excellence Award. “It is with great pride and humility that I was selected as the New Jersey State Superintendent of the year,” Dr. Montesano said. “While I am thrilled with this honor, it is not about just one person. I am blessed to work with such excellent professionals. This award is something I hope we can all share and take pride in. It is a reflection of the special things we are able to do as a community that makes Ramsey one of the top districts in the country.” NJASA Executive Director Richard G. Bozza said, “Roy is a top-notch chief education officer. His proven track record of meeting the needs of the students and the communities has won him numerous accolades from his peers. He is a results-oriented educator who continually strives to improve the educational quality for all students through his knowledge and experience.” Under Montesano, Ramsey’s school district has: launched a successful 21st century learning initiative that emphasizes skills that prepare students for the future, and developed an in-house Professional Development Academy, the Ramsey Education Academy of Learning, to ensure that staff members receive training on current research-based strategies to improve student success. The district maintains a high level of student success with test scores that are consistently above state and DFG levels. Ramsey consistently has more than 90% of its district high school graduates continue their education. The district also has a vibrant co-curricular program with student (continued on page 14) Ramsey Superintendent of Schools and 2012 New Jersey Superintendent of the Year Dr. Roy Montesano.