IT’S OFFICIAL: Board of Education Announces Appointment of New Superintendent

As first reported on Talk of the Sound last week…

NEW ROCHELLE, NY — The City School District of New Rochelle Board of Education announces that Brian G. Osborne, Ed.D., will be appointed Superintendent of Schools on Tuesday, June 3, 7:00pm at City Hall, according to David Lacher, Board President. Osborne is currently the Superintendent of Schools in the South Orange-Maplewood School District in New Jersey, a position he has held since 2007. The appointment will be effective July 1. Dr. Osborne will begin his transition into the District at that time and will be fully available starting August 1.

On behalf of the Board, Lacher stated: “Dr. Osborne is an exceptional educational leader. We have no doubt he will foster a new era of inclusion and community in our District and drive the kind of challenging educational programs we have come to expect. Dr. Osborne’s vision, innovative thinking, and deep commitment to classroom rigor reflect his belief in achievement for all students.”

Osborne is looking forward to the new post. “I began my career as a fifth grade bilingual Spanish teacher and am thrilled to have the opportunity to continue work in a district that is so rich in diversity and dynamic educational programming,” said Osborne. “Together with the dedicated staff and Board of Education, I will keep an unwavering focus on providing a strong foundation for all students, supporting struggling learners, offering additional challenges and enhancement activities for advanced students, and better preparing all students for postsecondary success.”

Prior to his tenure as Superintendent at the South Orange-Maplewood schools, Osborne was Chief of Staff, Teaching and Learning at the New York City Department of Education (2004-2007). His previous positions include New York City Department of Education Director of Instructional Technology; Plainfield, New Jersey Public Schools Supervisor of Evaluation, Assessment and Research and Special Assistant to the Superintendent; Co-Founder of New School for Arts and Sciences in the Bronx; and fifth grade Spanish bilingual teacher at Public School 28M in Washington Heights.

Osborne holds doctoral (2011) and master’s (2001) degrees in Administration, Planning, and Social Policy from Harvard Graduate School of Education, as well as a Master of Arts degree in Teaching (mathematics – 2000) from New York University.

He obtained his bachelor’s degree with high honors in Philosophy and Religion from Colgate University (1991).

The multi-month search to fill the Superintendent vacancy commenced after the retirement of Mr. Richard E. Organisciak in October 2013. Since then, Dr. Jeffrey Korostoff has ably served as Interim Superintendent of Schools.

The Board engaged the services of Hazard, Young, Attea & Associates (HYA) to conduct the superintendent search. Working with HYA, the Board solicited input via forums, surveys, and dozens of community conversations, and then adopted a comprehensive profile for the new superintendent.

“The search process worked well and brought us to a very favorable conclusion,” stated Mr. Lacher. “Dr. Osborne is the right choice for our district, and we look forward to every student benefiting from his proven track record and leadership capacity.”

The Board of Education Welcome Reception for Dr. Osborne will be held Tuesday, June 17, 2014 – 7:30pm, at New Rochelle High School in the House IV Cafeteria (new wing, off Braemar). Members of the community are invited and encouraged to attend.

UPDATE 6/3/14 – Osborne Farewell Letter to SOMSD Community June 2 2014

RELATED: New Rochelle Expected to Name Brian Osborne as new Schools Superintendent

I have an interview scheduled with Dr. Osborne tomorrow. If there is a question you would like asked, you can send it to robertcox@talkofthesound.com. No promises but we will try to ask as many questions as time permits.