Richard Tomko

Superintendent of Schools

Richard D. Tomko, Ph.D., M.B.A., M.J.

Dr. Richard Tomko has had numerous administrative responsibilities during his 23-year career in educational administration. He has been a building administrator at the middle and secondary levels and responsible for district-wide curriculum, assessment, innovative program initiatives, technology, and professional development while in central office positions. Prior to his arrival in the Belleville N.J. Public Schools District, Dr. Tomko held the positions of Director of Athletics; Assistant Principal; Principal; Assistant Superintendent; and Superintendent of Schools in several public school districts in multiple counties. He also began to research the achievement gaps between learners and the transition of students from 8th to 9th grade, making changes to programs and personnel to help students be successful in their classes.

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 Business Administration (M.B.A.) from The Johns Hopkins University; a Master of Jurisprudence (M.J.) Degree in Children’s Law and Policy from Loyola University of Chicago School of Law; a Certificate in Advanced Educational Leadership (CAEL) from Harvard University; a Graduate Certificate in Community and Economic Development from The Pennsylvania State University; a Graduate Certificate in The Brain, Teaching, and Learning from The Johns Hopkins University; an Executive Certificate in Transformational Non-Profit Leadership from the University of Notre Dame Mendoza College of Business; and a certificate in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion from Cornell University.

Dr. Tomko currently serves as an adjunct professor in the Educational Leadership/School Counseling graduate programs at Manhattan College, Montclair State University, Seton Hall University, and Centenary University. He was appointed by the Governor to serve as a Commissioner on the School Ethics Commission and has also served as a 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 his administrative teams to decrease achievement gaps between demographic subgroups of learners. He has a proven record of effecting change in his current and past districts by involving families, stakeholders, and community groups in the restoration of student engagement leading to overall student success.

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. Most recently, Dr. Tomko was recognized by Education Week as a 2023 Leader to Learn From.

Dr. Tomko is married, has four children, and dedicates his spare time volunteering as a coach for local recreation sports teams and other non-profit organizations.

He has been the superintendent of schools for the Belleville Public Schools District since February of 2015.