River Vale School District

609 Westwood Avenue

River Vale, New Jersey 07675

www.rivervaleschools.com

CONTACT: Margie Druss Fodor

(201) 358-9260

mfodor@rivervaleschools.com

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

RIVER VALE TO SEARCH FOR NEW SCHOOLS SUPERINTENDENT

RIVER VALE, NJ, AUGUST 5, 2003 -- River Vale Schools Superintendent Dr. Frank Alvarez today announced that he’s resigning from the district to accept the position as superintendent of the Montclair Public Schools.

Dr. Alvarez will stay on in River Vale until Nov. 1. The district is expected to hire an interim superintendent to replace him while they search for a new superintendent.

“I wasn’t actively looking to leave River Vale at this time. However, when I was sought out for this position, I felt it was a wonderful opportunity for me,” said Dr. Alvarez, who lives in River Vale. “I’ve seen the River Vale School District grow so much over the years and I’m proud to have been part of the process. I will definitely miss being here.”

Dr. Alvarez will help run Montclair’s 11 schools, comprising of seven elementary schools, three middle schools and one high school.

He worked as a principal for the Montclair Public Schools from 1989 to 1994. He then became the superintendent of the North Caldwell Public Schools before coming to River Vale in 1997. Dr. Alvarez had also worked as a program coordinator for the NJ State Department of Education from 1986 to 1989.

In River Vale, Dr. Alvarez helped coordinate the $18.5 million construction project to expand the district’s three schools to improve the learning environment, address growing enrollment and increase technology. He also created opportunities for public involvement including a Superintendent’s Focus Group, a quarterly community newsletter and monthly parent seminars on school-related issues.

Dr. Alvarez helped introduce a formal instrumental music program and French language studies at Holdrum Middle School, a restructured gifted and talented program in the district, a districtwide technology initiative, as well as a television production class.

He came to River Vale with an extensive background. He received his masters and doctorate degrees from Teachers College at Columbia University, after graduating magna cum laude from Montclair State University in 1976. In 2003 and in 1991, he received certificates of completion for the Superintendent’s Summer Institute and Institute on Diversifying Student Assessment at Harvard University.

He was awarded $200,000 from the U.S. Department of Education for the design and implementation of a program for bilingual gifted youngsters while a teacher and director of special projects for the Union City Board of Education from 1976 to 1984.

Dr. Alvarez is currently an adjunct professor for the Department of Educational Leadership at Montclair State University and he is past president of The Gifted Child Society in Glen Rock.

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