By Colleen Reynolds / Reporter

EAST RUTHERFORD (Nov. 25, 2009, 12:40 p.m.) — A lengthy search for a full-time superintendent culminated with the East Rutherford Board of Education’s unanimous appointment of Kenneth Rota as superintendent of schools at its public meeting, Thursday, Nov. 19, following the recommendation of the district’s personnel committee.

“I have a high level of comfort in turning over the reins,” interim Superintendent of Schools Daniel Swirsky said in a phone interview. “(Rota) certainly has an outstanding record.”

Rota, the current principal of Glen Ridge High School in Essex County, will replace Swirsky Jan. 1, to lead the two-school district, which enrolls 397 students in pre-kindergarten through fourth grade at McKenzie School and 313 students in the fifth through eighth grades at Alfred S. Faust Intermediate School. He will assume control at a time when the district has been craving stability with its leadership, after having had three superintendents in short succession. The district also continues to seek ways to streamline services with its related single-school districts covering Carlstadt Public School and Henry P. Becton Regional High School.

“I’m very excited to get started,” Rota told The Leader. “I’m looking forward to a great career in East Rutherford,” withholding comment on specific goals until he familiarizes himself better with the schools.

Although he served a stint as interim superintendent in Glen Ridge, Rota will step into his first role as a permanent superintendent when his initial contract period in East Rutherford commences this January. His contract, which was approved by Aaron Graham, the executive county superintendent, extends through June 30, 2013. His salary was set at $170,000.

“Mr. Rota stood out amongst the candidates due to his accomplishments during his eight years as principal of Glen Ridge High School. Glen Ridge is rated the number five school in the State of New Jersey. I believe this says a lot about Mr. Rota’s commitment to the education of our youth,” Board President Dennis Monks stated in an e-mail.

During his leadership post in Glen Ridge, where he has served as principal since July 2001, Rota said he is especially proud of increasing the number of opportunities for students in terms of community service.

He has also been responsible for supervising all aspects of high school and middle school program operations in Glen Ridge, including overall responsibility for facilities and maintenance. In addition to assisting in the supervision of a building expansion project at the high school and being responsible for the creation of the school’s annual budget, Rota also oversaw changes in curriculum, instruction and facilities utilization as student enrollment increased.

Rota holds a master’s degree in administration from St. Peter’s College and a bachelor’s degree in psychology from St. Bonaventure University in western New York.

His professional résumé includes a post as vice principal of Kinnelon High School in Morris County and teaching posts in English and psychology at Bergen Catholic High School in Oradell, where he also served as a guidance counselor.

In one way, being selected as East Rutherford’s superintendent represents a homecoming for Rota, who was born in the borough, but moved at the age of six months to New Milford, where he was raised.

Rota now lives in Ridgewood with his wife, Jill, an elementary school teacher, and his two children, who attend Ridgewood High School.

To initiate Rota as an “official Wildcat,” Monks presented him with a maroon “Wildcats” visor on behalf of the board, following the official vote.

“We welcome Mr. Rota and look forward to a long-lasting relationship,” Monks stated.

Also at the Nov. 19 meeting, the board accepted Swirsky’s resignation, with regrets.

In a later interview, Swirsky named the implementation of a nine-period day with block scheduling at Faust School, which increased the amount of instructional time for mathematics and language arts, as one of his proudest accomplishments since he took over Sept. 1, 2008.

His interim term was set to expire Aug. 30, 2010. He is undecided about what he will do next.

In an effort to ease the transition of superintendents, the East Rutherford schools will schedule “meet and greet” sessions for the public throughout December.