March 4, 2021
Dear Ridgewood School Community,
I am delighted to announce that Dr. Thomas Gorman has agreed to accept the position as the next Superintendent of the Ridgewood Public Schools, pending a public vote of the full Board of Education. Having served the district for nearly nine years in the capacity of high school principal and currently as acting superintendent, Dr. Gorman has demonstrated outstanding leadership and a progressive vision. His extensive list of achievements includes enhancements to the academic program, significant facilities improvements, management of a large, complex budget, and student-centered programming.
Additionally, Dr. Gorman is both a Ridgewood High School graduate and a long-standing member of this community who understands the value of a Ridgewood education and the strong connections between the district and community. As a parent and an educator, Dr. Gorman is truly dedicated to the mission of the district, the goals of the strategic plan, and the lifelong success of every learner. He recognizes the significant challenges facing the education system and takes a collaborative approach to solving problems and creating a rich and supportive learning environment.
Over the past several months, the Ridgewood Board of Education has been actively engaged in the search for a new superintendent. R-PAT Solutions, LLC was hired by the Board to manage this extensive process to ensure a diverse pool of applicants with various backgrounds and experience, to assist us with gathering valuable input from the community, to review applications and make recommendations, and to guide us through the many layers of this important decision that will shape the direction and future of our school district.
The Ridgewood Board of Education is confident that Dr. Gorman will work with the Board, the staff, and the Ridgewood community to uphold our tradition of excellence and advance our goals. We look forward to formalizing this announcement at the Board of Education meeting this coming Monday, March 8, 2021.
Sincerely,
Michael W. Lembo
President
Ridgewood Board of Education
Good for sports.
Academics, not sure?
The plus side:
Well liked by the community as an entirety
Likely to find no skeletons in his closet
Knows the players
The minus side:
If things go south, he’ll be difficult to dispose of
His friendships with some staff members may hinder his ability to impose disciplinary action when required (example: HEATHER MAILANDER)
Very little chance of innovative ideas being introduced since he comes from within
Congrats Dr. Gorman. First order of business MUST be getting students back in school five days a week!
Isnt he in with the ring leaders of the no need to vote on the school budget and all the high density housing promoters ?
Hey Anonymous, yes he is too “cozy” with the ring leader.
Our schools will now teach 8y olds that being white is a crime and that boys are ok to dress like girls?
I’m a little disappointed, I was hoping there was a groundswell of support for Basil Pizzutto.
Word is that the best candidates didn’t apply- didn’t want to deal with the BoE drama and social media hatchet job that Fishbein received.
Now we have an insider who will just keep spending more for the same results.
“the best candidates” what makes someone the best candidate ?
Is he going to get rid of the Fish lobby?
There are some white elephants who make a ton of money and did not really do much except to suck up to Fishy boy.
I hate to break it too you but Nj has very high taxes, heavy covid restrictions and the quality of life is low …who do you really think you are going to get ????
Two straight hires from Ridgewood.
Then again the abject debacle of “White Flag” Mary Brooks (who quit before starting) may have persuaded the BoE that doing a broader search leads to the same degree of politicized mediocrity so why even bother.
another ‘plus’…
no beard
Another “plus” – his shirt’s top buttons are not open – no showing off of chest hair.
The minus side:
A proven woke ideologue.
Same thing happened in New York City…they promoted from within. Nobody want’s to move here.
Fishbein was a terrible communicator and if he left because people were asking questions ( which only the people who showed up outside the Board Of Ed building to protest believed) then it really was his time to go.
Ridgewood is becoming (became?) a woke agenda driven school system producing unthinking obedient drones with very little in the area of critical thinking skills nor any interest in true freedom of thought or freedom to live a self-determined life for everyone.
This of course will continue and Ridgewood will maintain its decline, both academically and as a desirable place to raise your children.