Valley View to search for new superintendent

Sarah Hofius Hall, The Times-Tribune, Scranton, Pa.
·2 min read

May 11—Valley View needs a new superintendent.

Superintendent Michael Boccella, Ed.D., informed school directors Wednesday that he will depart from the school district in August for an opportunity in the private sector.

Boccella's replacement will be the fifth superintendent over the last decade. The board has not yet announced details for a search.

"This has been my dream job in public education. I wouldn't leave Valley View for another school district or for any job in education," he said Thursday. "I'm proud of what we accomplished while I've been at Valley View, both as superintendent for the past four years and during my five years before that as director of curriculum."

Boccella became superintendent in 2019, and soon after began leading the district through unprecedented virtual learning during the COVID-19 pandemic.

"He navigated us through the most difficult situation that educators have been through in any of our lifetimes," school Director Curt Camoni said. "He did it very well and consistently with the sole focus of the health, safety and well-being of our kids and our district."

Under Boccella's leadership, the district bolstered its Advanced Placement offerings, earning a spot on the College Board AP School Honor Roll in the process. The STEM Innovation Center opened this year, and dual enrollment opportunities increased. The district has also added autistic support, emotional support and partial hospitalization programs and expanded access to counseling and support options.

The district has also turned around its finances, erasing a more than $1 million deficit in 2017, to having a positive fund balance of about $3.5 million today.

"Mike was the right guy at the right time," said Director Joseph Mondak, who served as board president through many of the tough decisions during the pandemic.

Boccella said his opportunity, in real estate/investments, will allow him "carefree time and adventures" with his daughters, Aly, 8, and Lexy, 7, and his wife, Diana.

"Whoever gets to be the next superintendent is very lucky," Boccella said. "Valley View is a special place."

Contact the writer: shofius@timesshamrock.com; 570-348-9133; @hofiushallTT on Twitter.