Dr. Richard Tomko
Chief Executive Officer

Dr. Richard Tomko has had numerous executive leadership positions during his 21-year career in administration. 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 Educational Leadership, Management, and Policy from Seton Hall University. Dr. Tomko has also earned a Master of Jurisprudence (M.J.) Degree in Children’s Law and Policy from Loyola University of Chicago School of Law; a Graduate Certificate in Community and Economic Development from The Pennsylvania State University; a certificate in Leadership for his professional studies at Harvard University; a Graduate Certificate in The Brain, Teaching, and Learning from The Johns Hopkins University; and an Executive Certificate in Transformational Non-Profit Leadership from the University of Notre Dame Mendoza College of Business.  He is a product of the Master of Business Administration (MBA) program at The Johns Hopkins University Carey Business School and is earning a Certificate in Advanced Educational Leadership (CAEL) from Harvard University. Dr. Tomko currently serves as an adjunct professor in the Educational Leadership/School Building Leadership graduate programs at several colleges and universities in New York and New Jersey, and he mentors newly appointed administrators statewide for licensure through the New Jersey Department of Education.  He was appointed by the Governor to serve as a Commissioner on the School Ethics Commission, sits as a member on the Sussex County Planning Board, and also serves as a Board Trustee on the New Jersey Educational Services Commission (NJESC).  

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.  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 is a 2012 cohort 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 administrative teams to decrease achievement gaps between demographic subgroups of learners.  He has a proven record of effecting change by involving families, stakeholders, and community groups in the restoration of student engagement leading to overall student success and community growth.   

Dr. Tomko was named Essex County 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 and recognized by the United States Department of Defense through his receipt of the Patriot Award in 2018 and the Above and Beyond award in 2019.  Dr. is married, has four children, and dedicates his spare time volunteering as a coach for local recreation sports teams and other non-profit organizations.