Dear South Orange Maplewood School District Families and Community Members:
It is with
tremendous pleasure and excitement that the South Orange Maplewood Board
of Education announces the appointment of Dr. Thomas Ficarra as Interim
Superintendent of Schools. We will be approving Dr. Ficarra’s
appointment tonight in a Special Meeting of the Board, which is
scheduled to take place at 7 p.m. in our District Meeting Room, at 525
Academy Street, Maplewood. The meeting will also be livestreamed via the District’s website, and broadcast on SOMATV channels. All are welcome and invited to attend.
As an Interim
Superintendent, Dr. Ficarra will lead our district in moving forward the
important work we have started and continuing to strengthen the
district’s operations while we prepare for and conduct a search for a
permanent superintendent. As you know, Dr. Ramos has indicated his
desire to retire and his last day will be on August 24, 2017. Dr.
Ficarra’s contract is for a one-year period, with the option of
extending for a second year, if needed, as the search for the next
permanent superintendent takes place.
“We wholeheartedly
welcome Tom Ficarra to our school district. Dr. Ficarra is a dedicated,
student-focused educational leader, who is committed to equity and
opportunity for all students. Together with this commitment, he brings
to our district four decades of experience and the proven leadership
skills to move our district forward and improve the learning experience,
school climate, and outcomes for our students, while we conduct a
search for a permanent superintendent,” said Elizabeth Baker, President
of the SOMSD Board of Education.
Dr. Ficarra’s
experience in public education spans more than four decades, 39 years of
which he served in only three districts. Dr. Ficarra spent 20 years
in Elizabeth, where he started his career as a teacher and was promoted
to a Principal-ship, and eventually to several Central Office positions,
culminating in an Assistant Superintendent role. He spent the next six
years in Mount Arlington as Superintendent, and served for over 12 years
as a Superintendent in Morris, a complex regional district that
includes both Morristown and the Township of Morris, with many of the
same opportunities and challenges as our school district here in South
Orange and Maplewood.
During his time in
Morris, Dr. Ficarra’s leadership led to the establishment of a
state-of-the-art STEM Academy at Morristown High School, a fundraising
campaign for the High School turf field and major school renovations and
expansions. Morris BOE member Nancy Bangiola, who served as the Morris
BOE President during Dr. Ficarra’s tenure, described his leadership
style well in her recommendation of him: “We were able to accomplish all
this because Dr. Ficarra's leadership style is transparent and
inclusive, and as a result, the Board, staff, parents and administration
all worked together toward the same goals under his great direction.”
Most recently, Dr.
Ficarra spent 20 months as an Interim Superintendent in Hamilton
Township, a diverse district of over 11,000 students. During this time,
he was able to reorganize central office, undertake a major facilities
planning process and guide administrators toward stabilizing the
district. This stability enabled the Hamilton Board to attract a large
pool of candidates and unanimously select a highly
qualified permanent superintendent.
Hamilton BOE President Pam Kelly
describes how their district benefited from Dr. Ficarra’s leadership and
experience as they prepared for and conducted their successful search
for the permanent superintendent. Dr. Ficarra “supported
us as we took some hard, honest looks at where we were and began to lay
groundwork for where we wanted to be. He knew how to keep us moving
forward, but at the same time understood that some of our bigger
initiatives would be best set in full motion once the superintendent who
would see them to completion was chosen."
In describing his leadership philosophy, Dr. Ficarra said, “My
overarching belief as to what makes a school district successful is
connectedness. An organization can only be successful if
the intelligence, talent and commitment of people at all levels of an
organization are tapped and allowed to develop. Success happens through
collaboration and respect.
Creating a "learning environment" based on
safe and healthy relationships is the most important aspect of
organizational leadership.”
During this
transition and moving forward, the Board of Education will continue to
build on the foundational work that began during Dr. Ramos’ tenure,
including the implementation of the Access and Equity Policy and
recommendations that emerged from the strategic planning work in which
many staff and community members participated. The Board of Education
is also committed to keeping the public apprised of our efforts to
secure a permanent Superintendent for the district, and will ensure
community participation in the search process.
In the meantime, we ask
the community to join us in welcoming Dr. Ficarra to the South Orange
Maplewood School district in August, and we look forward to a successful
2017-2018 school year for all of our students.
Thank you for your
commitment to the wellbeing of our students and your partnership as we
move forward in this transition and prepare for the coming school year.
The South Orange Maplewood Board of Education
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