Dr. Fishbein, Superintendent of Schools, retirement resignation in a letter to the Ridgewood school community on Friday, September 11, 2020

September 11, 2020

Dear Ridgewood School Community,

The past six months have tested all of us in extraordinary ways, and I am honored and proud to have been at the helm of this district as we navigated such a challenging time. I have had the pleasure of serving as the Superintendent of the Ridgewood Public Schools for twelve years, and throughout my tenure, my commitment to the children and families of Ridgewood has never wavered.

The mission and vision of the district have always guided my leadership, and I have sought to uphold the tradition of excellence established by the distinguished leaders that came before me. While my dedication to the district remains steadfast, I have made the difficult decision to announce my retirement resignation, which will appear as an agenda item on the September 14, 2020 Ridgewood Board of Education Meeting Agenda. The Ridgewood Public Schools are blessed with outstanding administrators, stellar teachers and support staff, and simply wonderful students.

Over the years, I have had the opportunity to work with staff across the district on many projects and initiatives and to experience firsthand their devotion to the success of our students, as well as to their own professional growth. Through collaboration and respect of differing opinions and ideas, the foundation of our culture, we have accomplished many goals and made advancements to enhance the educational experience. I have watched the children of Ridgewood flourish, not only academically, but also socially through their exploration of service and what it means to be a responsible, contributing member of the community.

I have also spent many evenings and weekends at sporting events, concerts, plays, community presentations, and more, not because I felt obligated to do so, but because it was a joy to share in these experiences, triumphs, and defeats. It has truly been a privilege to serve the families of the community that I call home. I want to express my sincere appreciation to the parents, the entire community, and the Ridgewood Board of Education for their support over the years.

I look forward to working with the Ridgewood Board of Education to ensure a smooth transition with the next leader of this great district.

Sincerely,

Daniel Fishbein,
Ed.D. Superintendent of School