A homecoming for Gagliardi

Former Washington Township superintendent nominated to be state commissioner of education.

By: Frank C. D’Amico
   WASHINGTON — Vito Gagliardi called his Wednesday visit to Sharon Elementary School a "homecoming."
   That’s because Dr. Gagliardi, nominated to be new state commissioner of education by Acting Gov. Donald T. DiFrancesco, worked in the Washington Township School District for 15 years.
   "My first administrative position was here in Sharon School," he told students and reporters gathered in Terri Krisak’s second-grade class.
   Dr. Gagliardi worked in Washington from 1967 until 1981. He spent several of those years as the district’s superintendent.
   Acting Gov. DiFrancesco will submit Dr. Gagliardi’s nomination to the state Senate Thursday.
   If approved, Dr. Gagliardi will take over as acting commissioner Feb. 21.
   Acting Gov. DiFrancesco took over from former Gov. Christie Whitman, who left last month to head the federal Environmental Protection Agency in President George W. Bush’s cabinet.
   "Vito is first and foremost a teacher," Acting Gov. DiFrancesco said Wednesday. "He’s also a first-rate administrator and will bring accountability to the job."
   He said Dr. Gagliardi will "bring a strong classroom focus."
   Most recently, Dr. Gagliardi was a special assistant to the Commissioner of Education. David Hespe, whom Dr. Gagliardi is replacing, also was present at Sharon School.
   Dr. Gagliardi, 62, started his educational career in the Westfield school district.
   He has 37 years of educational experience. In 1982 and 1983, he was an assistant acting deputy commissioner of education.
   From 1983 to 1991, he was the Union County schools superintendent.
   Dr. Gagliardi was an education policy adviser to Acting Gov. DiFrancesco from 1994 until 1997, when the latter was president of the state Senate.
   Acting Gov. DiFrancesco called his new appointee "a friend."
   Dr. Gagliardi, who lives in Scotch Plains, has a doctorate in education from Rutgers University.
   "I welcome this challenge," Dr. Gagliardi said of his new position.