Ridgewood Eyeing Tom Gorman as RHS Principal

After a several-month long search, the Ridgewood school district may have found the man it wants to lead one of the county's largest .

According to a letter sent by Superintendent Daniel Fishbein to parents on Friday (attached), the district is recommending that the school board hire Thomas Gorman, the current prinicipal of .

A Ridgewood resident with children in the district, Gorman could be approved for hire on April 2 when the school board meets, with a work start date slated for July 1, Fishbein said.

Gorman told Patch he intends to accept the position if the board approves him. He has not resigned from Westwood yet.

"I've lived in the community most of my life," Gorman said, referring to Ridgewood. "It's an opportunity for me to give back to a community which has given me so much. I'm very excited."

He's a well-known educator in the area, having worked as a history teacher in Teaneck and administrator at Midland Park High School and Ramapo High School before becoming the principal of Westwood Jr./Sr. High five years ago.

Gorman, who's spent 14 years in education, holds a Doctorate in Education from Rutgers, a Masters from Montclair State University and undergraduate degrees from Muhlenberg College.

Gorman went through , comprised of residents, teachers and administrators.

"We found Dr. Gorman through a rigorous process that required a great deal of volunteered time and effort from teachers, parents, administrators and students," Fishbein wrote. "We were fortunate to have some strong candidates from whom to choose; and the input of our committee members about them was thoughtful and astute."

Fishbein said Gorman throughout the process has shown himself to be a "knowledgeable and insightful educator who cares deeply for his students, understands the value of a rich, engaging 'total school' environment that promotes both academic and social-emotional learning, and balances vigorous engagement and collaboration with an ability to set goals and exercise leadership in their pursuit."

in December after with top administrators. Assistant principals Basil Pizzuto and Jeff Nyhuis since January.

If Gorman's appointment is approved, a "meet and greet" with the community will be set up, Fishbein said.