Salvatore Replaces Ferraina as Long Branch Schools Superintendent

Assistant schools superintendent Michael Salvatore will succeed Joseph Ferraina in the district's top role on April 1.

Salvatore was sworn in as the new superintendent at Wednesday's Board of Education meeting, where Ferraina announced his long-anticipated retirement. Salvatore's contract is effective as of April 1.

Salvatore has 14 years of experience in Long Branch schools and has been serving as assistant superintendent for the current year. It had been announced last June that he would eventually follow Ferraina as superintendent.

Ferraina was first hired as a Long Branch teacher in 1973. After serving as assistant principal at the middle school, he was promoted to principal, in 1982, and held that post for 10 years. He has been superintendent since 1994. For his final year, Ferraina will receive a salary of $242,550.

In July, Salvatore begins a three-year contract, at $170,000 for the first year, and $175,000 for each of the remaining two. Until July, he will continue working at his current salary of $141,780.

Thanking all the staff and board members, past and present, who had made his job “a lot easier,” Ferraina expressed pride and confidence in the Long Branch school system.

“This district is second to none in serving children,” he said.

Stepping down after 17 years as superintendent, Ferraina noted that he had first announced his intention to retire four years ago, then repeated it last year.

“People started wondering: is he really going or not?” said Ferraina, explaining his mixed signals. “I just wanted to leave when I absolutely loved my job.”

No Tax Increase in 2011-12 Budget

Also at Wednesday’s meeting, the board released its budget plan for the 2011-12 school year.

As anticipated, the plan calls for no increase in property taxes. The local tax levy is expected to account for $31,570,923 out of a total $90,033,244 in district revenues. Most of the balance will come from state sources.

Long Branch Schools received $37,558,629 in state aid for the 2011-12 school year, an increase of $760,185 from the current school year.

In reviewing the plan for the public, Ferraina pointed out that, as a percentage of the budget, “the district has one of the lowest administrative costs in the area.”

On April 27, district voters will have the opportunity to approve or reject the proposed budget.