9 Years In Belleville: School Superintendent Prepares To Pass Reins

BELLEVILLE, NJ — When Richard Tomko first took the helm as superintendent of Belleville’s public schools in 2014 – appointed by the board of education and a state monitor – he inherited a $4 million deficit, 70 audit findings and a failing score on the New Jersey Quality Single Accountability Continuum (NJQSAC).

Things have changed in the past nine years, he says.

On June 30, Tomko – a previous “Superintendent of the Year” award recipient in Essex County – will be leaving his post as Belleville school superintendent to take a new job in Garfield. He will take the reins there on July 1.

Patch recently asked Tomko to reflect on Belleville’s successes – and future challenges. He said there are lots of reasons for Belleville residents to be optimistic about the past decade:

“The district's greatest accomplishments are arguably the passing of a necessary construction referendum to enhance ADA compliance, repair aging buildings, and a failing infrastructure; the expansion of preschool enrollment from 7.8% in 2018 to over 90% in the current school year; the addition of the Hornblower Early Education Center (HECC) on Main Street which houses 275 students; and an indoor training facility and tutoring center for district students and families.”

The district currently has a 93 percent graduation rate and students in seven out of eight schools either met or exceeded the expected growth rate on the mathematics section of the New Jersey Student Learning Assessments (NJSLA).

According to Tomko, other positive achievements over the past nine years have included redistricting to combat overcrowding at the middle school, the district’s R.I.S.E. program and Community Outreach Partnerships in Education (COPE), and additions such as school playgrounds and outdoor pizza kitchen and student lounge.

And those NJQSAC scores? They’re much better, with Belleville rating as a “high-performing district” for its scores over the last two cycles, he said.

• See Related: Belleville Voters Approve $48.5M School Renovations
• See Related: Belleville School District Finishes Long-Awaited ADA Renovations
• See Related: Gov. Murphy Praises Belleville’s Growing Preschool Program

Tomko also pointed to the district’s finances as a sign of progress.

Although Belleville homeowners are facing a potential tax increase under the current proposed budget, the district has set a goal of keeping tax hikes to $100 or less for the average homeowner during the majority of Tomko’s tenure – a goal that it has been hitting, according to figures presented at a school board meeting last year.

“From $4.7 million in deficit to where we are now is an incredible success story,” Tomko said, adding that the financial progress has taken place despite a budget that is still millions of dollars “under adequacy.”

• See Related: Belleville Schools ‘Back In Black’ Under Tomko, Town Council Says
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For now, Tomko said he is focused on helping to pass the reins to the next superintendent, giving them a running start at the helm of the district. Other remaining goals include “ensuring that the parking garage project is awarded to the lowest responsible bidder, opening the Center for Academic Success and Achievement (CASA), and continuing the transparent process of bringing awareness of upcoming challenges to all stakeholders and members of the community.”

When asked what those “challenges” might be, Tomko pointed to a looming spike in student enrollment – and balancing a budget that is still “several million dollars” short of what’s needed.

“The desire to keep the budget impact under $100 on the average home over the last seven years has caused the district to still be several million dollars under adequacy,” Tomko told Patch.

Another hurdle the next superintendent will have to put on their priority list? Making room for hundreds of new students over the next decade, Tomko said.

“Current increases in enrollment along with future building developments and other multi-family units will ultimately attract more families and students to the Belleville Public School District,” he continued. “The potential spike to enrollment over the next seven years will find the school needing more instructional space, teachers and supports in order to maintain the positive trend of progress over the last several years.”

• See Related: Belleville Schools May See 625 New Students In 10 Years, Official Says

It will be crucial for the board of education to work with the town council – which will see an overhaul in this year’s municipal election – in order to find a sweet spot for both government bodies, Tomko said.

“The ability of the board to work with a newly reorganized municipal council is crucial in ensuring a sustainable future of the district and the most optimal learning experience for Belleville students,” he added.

But ultimately, Tomko said he has faith that the Belleville school community is moving towards a brighter future.

“I had an incredible nine years here in this amazing district,” Tomko said. “This is a community that comes together to ensure that its children continue to move forward and become strong leaders. I’m proud that I was able to lead such a dedicated group of teachers, administrators and support staff and create programs to prepare the youth of Belleville for their futures.”

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