Community Invited to Welcome New Point Borough High School Principal

The administration of will soon see a new addition to its ranks, with Kurt Karcich taking the reins as the school’s principal on Aug. 1, replacing the retiring Linda Rocco, according to a press release.

Rocco had that she would step down as of Sept. 1 of this year.

According to a press release from school district official Jacquelyn Goss, Karcich was selected from a class of over 50 applicants and is uniquely qualified to step in as the school’s administrative leader.

“An alternate route educator, Karcich’s unique skill set is the result of a professional history that includes careers in both the private and public sectors,” Goss said in the release. “After earning a Bachelor of Arts in International Business and Economics from Lehigh University, Karcich excelled in the business world, ascending the ranks of sales management.”

However, it was not until Karcich completed his alternate route certification and accepted an initial post as a seventh-grade math teacher at Roy W. Brown Middle School in Bergenfield, that he called the classroom home, according to the release.

“I had never student-taught, so my first time in the classroom, as an educator, was the first day of school. It was thrilling and invigorating and I loved it,” said the 41 year-old Karcich in the release.

The following years saw Karcich pursue a master’s degree in Educational Leadership at Fairleigh Dickinson University, with stops as the dean of students at Hackensack Middle School, assistant principal of Hawthorne High School and finally, becoming principal of Paramus High School in 2009 — a position that he held until his arrival in Point Pleasant Borough, according to the release.

“I was immediately struck by the sense of community in Point Pleasant, and felt that the district philosophy matched both my personal and professional ideals,” Karcich said in the press release. “I am very excited to begin this new chapter of my life and my career, and I am grateful to have been given the opportunity to become a member of such a welcoming, tight-knit community.”

Point Pleasant Borough’s Superintendent of Schools Vincent S. Smith also welcomed the new administrator to the district, praising his credentials and anticipating what Karcich will bring to Point Pleasant Borough High School, according to the release.

“The State’s impending reforms to teacher evaluation systems, new school improvement programs as well as the stringent anti-bullying and harassment laws, require school administrators be equipped with superior leadership and management skills,” said Smith, according to the release. “The Board of Education and Central Administration agree that Mr. Karcich has the experience, skills and passion to not only maintain, but also enhance the tradition of excellence that Point Pleasant Borough High School has established.”

In that spirit, the community of Point Pleasant is cordially invited to meet and welcome Karcich, through an informal event being held at the high school’s media center on Monday evening, Aug. 13, from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m., according to the release.

In the release, Smith concluded, “I encourage all high school parents, staff and members of the PTO or Booster Clubs to come and meet the newest member of Point Pleasant Borough Schools’ Administrative team.”