RICHARD TOMKO

Dr. Richard Tomko has had numerous administrative responsibilities during his 26-year career in educational administration. He has been a building administrator at the middle and secondary levels and has been responsible for district-wide curriculum, assessment, innovative program initiatives, technology, and professional development while serving in central office positions for the last 17 years. Before he arrived in the Garfield N.J. Public Schools District, Dr. Tomko held the positions of Director of Athletics, Assistant Principal, Principal, Assistant Superintendent, and Superintendent of Schools in several public school districts in multiple counties in New Jersey. He also began to research the achievement gaps between learners and the learning trajectory of students, making changes to programs and strategic planning to help individuals be successful in their academic pathway and gain early access to community college programs and post-secondary opportunities while still in high school.

Since he was appointed Superintendent of Schools in Garfield, N.J. in 2024, Dr. Tomko has worked with his Board and leadership team to ensure that content curriculum area scope-and-sequences are updated to enhance academic rigor; advanced exit skills have been infused to challenge students at every grade level; and a district-wide effort to promote equity in access was started to ensure learners from diverse backgrounds and with different needs are receiving specialized programs tailored to the demands of every individual. 

Dr. Tomko continues to work with his Board in monthly committees to lead the district mission and ensure the vision of the district that all students can learn is being supported by all aspects of the school community. Academically, the district continues to focus on learning regression with the expansion of summer bridge programs and increased tutoring sessions for students at all grade levels. The school year also saw the creation of the Junior ROTC and Student Ambassador programs; EZ Ride-4-Lyfe Club; the addition of Women’s Lacrosse; formation of Academies in Business, Criminal Justice & Law, Health & Medical, and Media & Communications; and the return of PowerBack, a comprehensive outreach program designed to support teen victims, raise awareness, and empower young people to end dating abuse. Along with the oversight of the building of a new elementary school, facility additions included upgraded Professional Development areas and an English Language Learner Family Orientation and Welcome Center. During his first year as Chief Education Officer, the Garfield Public Schools showed exponential growth where district scores in both Mathematics and ELA increased throughout the district, and the Garfield graduating class spotlighted 26 seniors who earned an Associate’s Degree from Bergen County Community College alongside their high school diploma. 

While Superintendent of the Belleville Public Schools District from 2015 – 2023, Dr. Tomko and his Board successfully authored and implemented an action plan to remediate fiscal concerns and eliminate a $4.2 million deficit, ending the 2015 – 2016 school year with a financially sound projection and budget that addressed the needs of all students. A district-wide 1:1 Chromebook initiative soon ensued while new elementary, middle, and high school textbook series and e-texts were also adopted. A new administrative realignment for greater support and oversight was implemented, and Board policies were updated to enhance grade point average equity and district procedures. Dr. Tomko and his district curriculum team worked to create the Leadership Academy, the Academy of Criminal Justice, and the Ralph Vellon Academy of Engineering and Medical Sciences while partnering with Clara Maas Medical Center to reflect Academy STEM standards and surpass the expectations of the science core. A Junior ROTC program was also established for students in grades 9 through 12. 

During his tenure with the Belleville Public Schools, Dr. Tomko spearheaded a campaign to promote and gain community support in passing a $48 million construction referendum by a large margin. The completion of these projects has led the school district to meet full ADA compliance, allowing students, staff, and community members to gain access to all district buildings and common areas. In working with the state department of education, Dr. Tomko secured 50% funding for the taxpayers of the community through construction aid. A second project ($4 million) to rebuild the athletic complex at Clearman Field was also designed and approved to help improve athletic facilities for all students and members of the township. 

Under Dr. Tomko’s leadership, the Belleville Public Schools were recognized as a District of Distinction (DA) for their R.I.S.E. and Shine program and a “High Performing District” by the New Jersey Department of Education for raising the percentages of the Quality Single Assurance Continuum (QSAC) by 53% in the Instruction and Program category and 54% in Fiscal Management. The district expanded its life skills program with the addition of two houses to assist special populations with programs necessary for transition beyond graduation, and received approximately $16 million in preschool expansion aid which, along with the creation of the Hornblower Early Childhood Center (HECC), led to the preschool “universe” in the township reaching 93% where it was less than 10% before Dr. Tomko’s arrival. He was also instrumental in creating the Belleville Aerospace Program, where students could earn a pilot’s license by graduation, and the Culinary Arts Academy, to include operations of the Galleon Restaurant by senior students earning credit through a capstone experience. 

The 2022-2023 school year included the opening of the Belleville Middle School South Annex and the new 25,000 sq. foot indoor training facility. Stakeholders also recognized Dr. Tomko’s commitment to sustainable energy with the construction of solar and wind projects around the district campuses, the mobilization of electric school buses, as well as a teaching greenhouse that hosts a horticultural center.
  
Dr. Tomko obtained his principal license and School Administrator certificate after earning his Master’s Degree in Educational Administration (M.A.E.), and he has attained the degree of Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) with a concentration in Higher Educational Leadership, Management, and Policy from Seton Hall University. Dr. Tomko has also earned a Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.) from The Johns Hopkins University; a Master of Jurisprudence (M.J.) Degree in Children’s Law and Policy from Loyola University of Chicago School of Law; the Certificate in Advanced Educational Leadership (CAEL) from Harvard University; a Certificate in Accelerated Management from the School of Management at Yale University; a Graduate Certificate in Community and Economic Development from The Pennsylvania State University; a Graduate Certificate in The Brain, Teaching, and Learning from The Johns Hopkins University; a Certificate in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion from Cornell; and a Certificate in Transformational Non-Profit Leadership from the University of Notre Dame Mendoza College of Business.  

Dr. Tomko currently serves as an adjunct professor in the Educational Leadership and Marriage and Family Counseling graduate programs at Manhattan University, Montclair State University, Seton Hall University, and Centenary University. He was also an adjunct instructor in the English Department for 7 years at Bergen County Community College. Dr. Tomko was appointed by the last two New Jersey Governors to serve as a Commissioner on the School Ethics Commission and was recently appointed by Governor Murphy to serve as a State Task Force Member on Teacher Shortages. Dr. Tomko has served on a municipal Environmental Commission, as a Trustee on the New Jersey Educational Services Commission (NJESC), is a founding Trustee of the New Jersey Association of Educational Leaders (NJAEL), and currently serves as a Board Trustee on The Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey and EZ Ride, an influential non-profit organization that partners with school districts and government entities to provide programs and resources for safe routes to schools and reliable transportation for commuters and individuals in need of assistance.   

Dr. Tomko continues to research the “expectations gap” and lack of articulation between secondary schools and institutions of higher education with the hope of improving student readiness for post-secondary instruction. He is an advocate for growing partnerships between school districts and community colleges to provide middle college opportunities and post-secondary experiences for students during high school. 

Past formal research endeavors and publications have included student achievement gaps on statewide assessments; student safety; early childhood literacy; guidance and counseling influence on student application to post-secondary education; bullying; student perceptions of remedial English; and student readiness for college. Dr. Tomko has authored four books (Calling a Snow Day: How Local Politics Influence School Decisions; Navigating the Workplace: What School Executives Should Know about Labor Relations; Perception is Key: How Leaders Today Can Navigate Workplace Politics; Child Law, Policy, and the School Superintendent: A Handbook for New and Aspiring Chief School Administrators) that are used by professors and academic leaders to advance knowledge in the field and supplement learning for future industry professionals. 

Dr. Tomko is a graduate of the National SUPES Academy and participated in the Harvard Graduate School of Education Leadership Institute for Superintendents: Systematic Reform in School Districts and Schools.  Dr. Tomko is a change agent for creativity and problem-solving and works with his administrative teams to decrease achievement gaps between demographic subgroups of learners. He has a proven record of effecting change in his current and past districts by involving families, stakeholders, and community groups in the restoration of student engagement, leading to overall student success.  

Dr. Tomko was spotlighted in Education Week as one of eight Leaders to Learn From in 2023 for exhibiting innovative solutions to fix some of the most pressing challenges facing K-12 schools in this critical period of our history. He was named Essex County, New Jersey, Superintendent of the Year in 2020 for exhibiting leadership for learning, communication, professionalism, and active participation in community involvement with an understanding of regional, national, and international issues. He has been honored with receiving the New Jersey State Governor’s Jefferson Award for volunteerism and recognized by the United States Department of Defense with his receipt of the Patriot Award in 2018 and the Above and Beyond Award in 2019.

Dr. Tomko is married, has four children, and has dedicated his spare time to volunteering as a coach for local recreation sports teams and other non-profit organizations.