Long Branch Public Schools is a comprehensive community public school district that serves students in pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade in the city of Long Branch, in Monmouth County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey.Long Branch Board of Education District Policy 0110 - Identification, Long Beach Public Schools, adopted August 18, 2010. Accessed February 26, 2025. "Purpose: The Board of Education exists for the purpose of providing a thorough and efficient system of free public education in grades Pre-Kindergarten through twelve in the Long Branch School District. Composition: The Long Branch School District is comprised of all the area within the municipal boundaries of Long Branch." The district is one of 31 former Abbott districts statewide that were established pursuant to the decision by the New Jersey Supreme Court in Abbott v. BurkeWhat We Do: History, New Jersey Schools Development Authority. Accessed March 1, 2022. "In 1998, the New Jersey Supreme Court ruled in the Abbott v. Burke case that the State must provide 100 percent funding for all school renovation and construction projects in special-needs school districts. According to the Court, aging, unsafe and overcrowded buildings prevented children from receiving the "thorough and efficient" education required under the New Jersey Constitution.... Full funding for approved projects was authorized for the 31 special-needs districts, known as 'Abbott Districts'." which are now referred to as "SDA Districts" based on the requirement for the state to cover all costs for school building and renovation projects in these districts under the supervision of the New Jersey Schools Development Authority.What We Do, New Jersey Schools Development Authority. Accessed March 1, 2022.SDA Districts, New Jersey Schools Development Authority. Accessed March 1, 2022.
As of the 2022–23 school year, the district, comprised of eight schools, had an enrollment of 5,494 students and 495.0 classroom teachers (on an FTE basis), for a student–teacher ratio of 11.1:1.District information for Long Branch Public School District, National Center for Education Statistics. Accessed February 1, 2024.
The district had been classified by the New Jersey Department of Education as being in District Factor Group "B", the second lowest of eight groupings. District Factor Groups organize districts statewide to allow comparison by common socioeconomic characteristics of the local districts. From lowest socioeconomic status to highest, the categories are A, B, CD, DE, FG, GH, I and J.District Factor Groups (DFG) for School Districts, New Jersey Department of Education. Accessed December 1, 2024.
Schools Schools in the district (with 2022–23 enrollment data from the National Center for Education StatisticsSchool Data for the Long Branch Public Schools, National Center for Education Statistics. Accessed February 1, 2024.) are:Leadership Team, Long Branch Public Schools. Accessed February 26, 2025.County School List L-M, Monmouth County, New Jersey. Accessed March 1, 2024.School Performance Reports for the Long Branch Public Schools, New Jersey Department of Education. Accessed April 3, 2024.New Jersey School Directory for the Long Branch Public Schools, New Jersey Department of Education. Accessed February 1, 2024. Early childhood learning centers Lenna W. Conrow SchoolLenna W. Conrow School, Long Branch Public Schools. Accessed October 21, 2024. (with 298 students; in grades PreK–K) Bonita Potter-Brown, principal Joseph M. Ferraina Early Childhood Learning CenterJoseph M. Ferraina Early Childhood Learning Center, Long Branch Public Schools. Accessed October 21, 2024. (291; PreK–K) Laura Bland, principal Morris Avenue SchoolMorris Avenue School, Long Branch Public Schools. Accessed October 21, 2024. (310; PreK–K) Kimberly Walker, principal Primary schools Amerigo A. Anastasia SchoolAmerigo A. Anastasia School, Long Branch Public Schools. Accessed October 21, 2024. (587; 1–5) Michelle Merckx, principal Laura Widdis, principal George L. Catrambone Elementary SchoolGeorge L. Catrambone Elementary School, Long Branch Public Schools. Accessed October 21, 2024. (712; 1–5) Nicole Carroll, principal Jessica Sargent, principal Gregory SchoolGregory School, Long Branch Public Schools. Accessed October 21, 2024. (600; 1–5) Nicholas Greenwood, principal Stephanie Dispoto, principal Middle school Long Branch Middle SchoolLong Branch Middle School, Long Branch Public Schools. Accessed October 21, 2024. (1,108; 6–8) Christopher Volpe, lead principal High school Long Branch High SchoolLong Branch High School, Long Branch Public Schools. Accessed October 21, 2024. (1,548; 9–12) Vincent Muscillo Jr., lead principal Alternative Audrey W. Clark School / The Academy of Alternative Programs, an alternative education programAudrey W. Clark School / The Academy of Alternative Programs, Long Branch Public Schools. Accessed October 21, 2024. Kristine Villano, principal
George L. Catrambone Elementary School was constructed at a total cost over $40 million for a facility that was designed to house 800 students in a facility covering for which construction began in 2012."Groundbreaking of Catrambone Elementary School Continues New Era of Efficient and Cost-Effective School Construction Under Governor Christie", State of New Jersey press release, September 24, 2012. Accessed August 20, 2014. "Terminal Construction Corp. of Wood Ridge, New Jersey was awarded a $27.5 million contract for the construction of the new school.... The total estimated project costs are $40.1 million." With the start of the 2014-15 school year, a realignment of the district closed West End School, converted Morris Avenue School for early childhood use and repurposed Audrey W. Clark School for alternative education.Sheldon, Christopher. "Long Branch Will Realign Elementary Schools After West End School Closure; The Audrey W. Clark School will also have a new purpose after redistricting.", Long Branch - Eatontown Patch, September 6, 2013. Accessed August 20, 2014. "Kindergarten classrooms will be pulled from the district's current elementary schools and placed into the Joseph M. Ferraina Early Childhood Learning Center and Lenna W. Conrow School, which are currently preschools. The Morris Avenue School will also become an exclusive early education center after serving as a home for pre-kindergarten to third grade students."
Superintendent pay In March 2006, the New Jersey State Commission of Investigation issued a report to Governor Jon Corzine specifically and to the public in general that addressed "Questionable and Hidden Compensation for Public School Administrators". The report disclosed that the Long Branch school district had reported to the New Jersey Department of Education that Superintendent of Schools Joseph Ferraina (who retired in 2011) was receiving a base salary of $193,149 when, as the Commission of Investigation stated, he was actually receiving a total compensation of $305,099, some 58% higher than the amount reported to the State."Taxpayers Beware: What You Don't Know Can Cost You", New Jersey State Commission of Investigation, March 2006, pp. 24–25. Accessed April 4, 2011. By 2011, Ferraina was earning a base salary of $242,550.
After three years as chief school administrator, Michael Salvatore accepted a contract in August 2014 under which he would earn less in base pay due to the state's superintendent salary cap. The school board approved a $165,000 annual base salary for Salvatore in a contract that expired in June 2019, which is a $10,000 reduction from his previous salary with the district. However, Salvatore's newest endeavor will supplement the contract with $10,000, which entailed governing the Deal School District as a shared service superintendent.Williams, Carol Gorga. "Long Branch educator takes on Deal school", Asbury Park Press, August 7, 2014. Accessed August 20, 2014. "The school board recently approved a $165,000 annual salary for Salvatore in a contract that expires in June 2019. Salvatore, however, will pick up an additional $10,000 a year as the superintendent for the Deal school district."
Administration Core members of the district's administration are:New Jersey School Directory for Monmouth County, New Jersey Department of Education. Accessed February 1, 2024. Francisco E. Rodriguez, superintendentSuperintendent's Message, Long Branch Public Schools. Accessed February 26, 2025. Matthew E. Johnson, Ed.D., business administrator and board secretaryBusiness Office, Long Branch Public Schools. Accessed February 26, 2025.
Board of education The district's board of education, comprised of nine members, sets policy and oversees the fiscal and educational operation of the district through its administration. As a Type II school district, the board's trustees are elected directly by voters to serve three-year terms of office on a staggered basis, with three seats up for election each year held (since 2012) as part of the November general election. The board appoints a superintendent to oversee the district's day-to-day operations and a business administrator to supervise the business functions of the district.New Jersey Boards of Education by District Election Types - 2018 School Election, New Jersey Department of Education, updated February 16, 2018. Accessed January 26, 2020.Annual Comprehensive Financial Report of the City of Long Branch School District, New Jersey Department of Education, for year ending June 30, 2024. Accessed February 26, 2025ti. "The Long Branch School District is a Type II district located in the County of Monmouth, State of New Jersey. As a Type II District, the School District functions independently through a Board of Education. The Board is comprised of nine members elected to three-year terms. The purpose of the District is to educate students in grades Pre K - 12. The operations of the District include one preschool, five elementary schools, one middle school, and a senior high school located in the City of Long Branch." See "Roster of Officials" on page 14.
The current members of the Long Branch Board of Education are:Board of Education Members, Long Branch Public Schools. Accessed October 21, 2024. Joseph M. Ferraina, Board President (term expires December 2027) Violeta Peters, Board Vice President (2027) Armand R. Zambrano Jr. (2026) Tasha Youngblood Brown (2026) Sofji "Tony" Valdiviezo (2026) Dominic R. Sama (2028) Sandra Giordano (2028) Cipora Winters (2028) Raymond Garland Jr. (2026; appointed to fill a vacant seat)
References
External links Long Branch Public Schools
School Data for the Long Branch Public Schools, National Center for Education Statistics New Jersey State Commission of Investigation Report