April 24, 2013 THE VILLADOM TIMES IV • Page 3 Ramsey The Ramsey Board of Education has named Dr. Matthew J. Murphy as the district’s new superintendent of schools. Dr. Murphy, who was appointed at a special meeting last week, is expected to begin his post on or about July 1. Murphy is currently the superintendent of schools in River Vale. Since he stepped into that post in 2010, Murphy has completely revised and implemented a new curriculum, instruction, and assessment plan that infuses 21st century skills into the curriculum and highlights professional development. He also spearheaded the revitalization of the district’s education foundation, helped launch a before- and after-school program, and raised $100,000 in the first year. He also worked to improve communication via a new website, an electronic newsletter, and community forums. Before he arrived in River Vale, Murphy was assistant superintendent of curriculum and instruction in the Westwood Regional School District. In that post, which he held from 2008-10, he developed and implemented a new supervisory process to strengthen and sustain instruction, created a summer enrichment program, and implemented data benchmark assessments. Murphy’s work in Westwood also included serving as that district’s director of elementary education and district technology from 2006-08, and as principal of the Berkeley Elementary School from 1999-2006. Prior to his work in Westwood, the educator was assistant principal, teacher, Murphy named district’s next superintendent and technology coordinator at the Eisenhower Middle School in Wyckoff. He also logged several years of service as a fifth grade teacher at Wyckoff’s Calvin Coolidge Elementary School. The new superintendent is an adjunct professor at Ramapo College in Mahwah and at Fordham University in New York City. He has received several awards, including the New Jersey Principal and Supervisor’s Association’s 2006 Principal of the Year award. He was also a David L. Clark National Graduate Student Research award winner for doctoral research – an honor bestowed upon the top 40 doctoral students selected from nominees representing the United States and Canada. Murphy received his bachelor’s degree in elementary education from the University of Rhode Island and a master’s in technology in education from Long Island University. He received his Ph.D. and his Ed.D., both of which are in administration and supervision, from Fordham University. Murphy will replace Interim Superintendent Bruce W. De Young, who had retired as Ramsey’s superintendent of schools at the end of 2005, but returned to his former post last summer as a temporary replacement for Superintendent Dr. Roy Montessano. Montessano accepted a post as superintendent of the Hastings-on-Hudson School District. In a telephone interview last week, De Young acknowledged that he had known Murphy distantly prior to his retirement, and has recently had more contact with the new superintendent. De Young said Murphy had been the presenter at a program about the new teacher evaluation model. (continued on page 25) The Valley Hospital Auxiliaries from Ramsey and Mahwah will host a Spring Fling Fashion Show at the Ramsey Country Club in Ramsey on May 9. The event will begin at 6 p.m. The cost to attend is $55 and includes a cocktail hour with a cash bar and a four-course dinner. Tickets for the prize basket fundraiser are $15 for 15 Spring Fling Fashion Show slated tickets and one gold ticket when purchased in advance. Proceeds will benefit the Valley Hospital Breast Surgery Program at Luckow Pavilion and Valley Home Care’s Butterflies Program, a palliative care and hospice program for children. For more information, or to purchase a ticket, contact Rosemarie at (201) 825-1350 or Marge at (201) 512-0098.