School district leaders disclose credentials
BY JENNIFER KOHLHEPP Staff Writer

The superintendents of both local school districts have reported on their credentials in compliance with the New Jersey Association of School Administrators (NJASA) full disclosure initiative.

The NJASA, which represents approximately 1,000 school superintendents and administrators in the state, initiated the full disclosure campaign to assure New Jersey residents that their educational leaders are qualified to serve as chief education officers, according to Richard G. Bozza, executive director of NJASA.

Superintendent of Schools Mary Anne Donahue, of the Millstone Township School District, and Superintendent of Schools Richard Fitzpatrick, of the Upper Freehold Regional School District, both released statements last week to provide the community with their educational backgrounds as part of the NJASA initiative.

Donahue earned a Bachelor of Arts in Education from Glassboro State College (now Rowan University) in Glassboro and the following graduate level degrees; both a Master of Arts in Education and a Master of Arts in Administration, Supervision and Curriculum Planning from Georgian Court College in Lakewood, and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

"The combination of Dr. Donahue's education and experience makes her well suited to move education forward in Millstone Township," Bozza said. Fitzpatrick earned both his Bachelor of Arts in Education and Master of Arts in Education from Boston College in Newton Centre, Mass. He participated in an educational administration doctoral program at the University of New Hampshire in Lane Durham, N.H. and was awarded a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study. He also received a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from Nova Southeastern University.

"Dr. Fitzpatrick's 37 years as school administrator include positions in New Jersey, Massachusetts and New Hampshire," Bozza said. "During his career he was named Principal of the Year for the state of Massachusetts and was honored as a National Distinguished Principal by the United States Department of Education."

Fitzpatrick also chaired a number of accrediting committees for the New England Association of Schools and Colleges, conducted numerous in-service training courses for teachers, administrators and superintendents, and has been invited to speak at state colleges and universities and regional conferences, according to Bozza.

As chief education officers, Donahue and Fitzpatrick are responsible for the overall direction of their school districts, including the instruction and safety of school children, the upkeep and expansion of facilities, and the recruitment and retention of the best teachers and staff, according to the NJASA.