Roxbury Schools Announces New Superintendent
ROXBURY, NJ (May 9, 2023) – The Roxbury Township Board of Education is very pleased to report that at the Monday, May 8th Board of Education meeting it unanimously passed the appointment of Dr. Frank Santora as the district’s next Superintendent of Schools.
Roxbury Board of Education President Leo Coakley in his announcement cited Dr. Santora’s educational experience and expertise.
“Dr. Frank Santora has broad and deep experience as an educator, with a focus on expanding and maximizing learning opportunities for all students. His work has included bolstering support for both special education and general education students. Dr. Santora has expressed that he sees potential in every person, works on consensus building, believes that accountability starts with clarity and support for staff and students, and he practices transparency and visibility to the students, staff, and public.”
In his current district, Dr. Santora created increased opportunities to engage and inform the broader school community on key issues, including the importance of meeting the social-emotional needs of students both in and outside of the learning environment. He has worked diligently to enhance the emotional health and well-being of students. Under his leadership, that district significantly increased both the frequency and intensity of the mental health services and support offered to the students.
Dr. Santora currently serves as the Assistant Superintendent for Pupil Personnel Services in the Madison School District. Prior to arriving in Madison, Dr. Santora served as the Director of Special Services and Building Principal in the Saddle Brook School District. At the onset of his career, Dr. Santora served as a School Psychologist and member of the Child Study Team in the Westfield Public School District.
In 2014, Dr. Santora earned his doctoral degree in Educational Leadership from Saint Elizabeth University. Dr. Santora’s research focused on examining the impact district-run training programs have on the daily practice and procedures of parents and staff affiliated with in-district Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) programs.
“The Board is grateful that the district could attract such an accomplished educator. That is due in no small part to the excellent reputation of our current administration and staff, particularly our teachers, and the dynamic, innovative, and goal-oriented accomplishments of the Roxbury school community. Dr. Santora will formally assume his duties on or about July 1, 2023. Please join us in welcoming him to Roxbury,” said Coakley.
With the pending retirement of Dr. Loretta Radulic at the end of the school year, the Roxbury Township Board of Education launched and completed a rigorous Superintendent search.
The search program, under the guidance of the New Jersey School Boards Association (NJSBA), included provisions for students, parents, staff, and the community at large to have a voice in defining a vision for the district and in establishing the criteria that were used to evaluate candidates for Superintendent.
Applications were screened at the end of March and confidential interviews were held on several dates in April. This process was conducted in a strictly confidential manner to protect the personal interests of the applicants.
There will be an introduction of the new superintendent to the school community and public in May/June on a schedule to be determined.
The Strategic Plan update, incorporating the vision for the future of the Roxbury District, based on public input, will be completed in the summer.
PHOTO ATTACHED (courtesy of Roxbury Schools)
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