Linden taps familiar face for interim schools superintendent
LINDEN – The city Board of Education has turned to a familiar face to lead its schools.
Rocco G. Tomazic, who served as the city’s superintendent of schools from 2009-13, was appointed Linden’s interim superintendent last week through the end of this school year.
Tomazic, who is making $900 per work day, according to Acting Business Administrator Pam Caporale, replaces Marnie Hazelton, whom the district settled out of a five-year contract that ran through the 2024-25 school year.
Tomazic said he is optimistic about what he and the school community can accomplish together, and looks for understanding, patience and support as he and the district navigate through the leadership transition.
"My priorities will be straightforward," he said. "I will endeavor to ensure all our students can learn and work in a safe environment. Key emphasis will be placed on a post-pandemic return to normal teaching and learning. I will work with the Board of Education to fill a number of vacant executive level positions in the district, and I will initiate the detailed staff work leading up to the preparation of the 2023-2024 budget. I will work closely with our administrators, faculty and staff to make this leadership transition as smooth as possible for our students and our organization."
Assistant Superintendent Denise Cleary, who previously served as principal of Linden High School, had been serving a second stint as Linden’s interim superintendent since July 21.
In a statement on the district's website, Tomazic said he was appointed to oversee district operations until the school board can hire a new, permanent superintendent.
Also see:Head injuries back in focus after Linden football player dies. Should kickoffs be eliminated?
Tomazic came to Linden Public Schools as an ROTC instructor at Linden High School from 1996 to 1999, became vice principal at the high school for a year and was named assistant superintendent in 2002.
He was appointed superintendent in 2009 before leaving the district in 2013 to become the superintendent in Freehold where he served until September 2021.
He also served as interim superintendent for the Monmouth Beach School District from April through August of this year.
email: cmakin@gannettnj.com
Cheryl Makin is an award-winning features and education reporter for MyCentralJersey.com, part of the USA Today Network. Contact: Cmakin@gannettnj.com or @CherylMakin. To get unlimited access, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.
This article originally appeared on MyCentralJersey.com: Linden schools names Rocco Tomazic interim superintendent
