Cappello joined the district in 2016 and also serves as the anti-bullying coordinator
Cinnaminson Township Public Schools Director of Curriculum and Instruction Stephen Cappello is Cinnaminson’s next superintendent, the Board of Education announced last week.
Cappello, who also serves as the district’s anti-bullying coordinator, joined the district just last year. According to current Superintendent Salvatore Illuzzi, he has already made an impact.
“In appointing Steve as the next school superintendent, the board recognized that he has the vision and skills to take the district to the next level,” Illuzzi said. “In his year in Cinnaminson, he very quickly established himself as a team player working for the best for all of our students and staff.”
Illuzzi will retire this year after 18 years with the district. He had originally planned to retire in 2014 but extended his contract to assist with the renovations the district needed, despite being required to take a $60,000 pay cut following Gov. Christie’s superintendent salary cap.
With the bulk of the renovations complete, board president Jean Cohen tearfully announced Illuzzi’s retirement at the December board meeting.
To recognize Illuzzi’s service, the Cinnaminson Middle School Unity Club recently arranged to have an American flag flown over the U.S. Capitol building on the school’s annual Unity Day in his honor. Board of Education middle school representative Lily Nichols presented Illuzzi with the flag at the board’s most recent meeting, leaving Illuzzi speechless.
“In my rather humble opinion, the board could not have done any better,” Illuzzi said on selecting Cappello. “He is an excellent choice.”
Cappello, who will assume his role of superintendent beginning July 1, graduated from The College of New Jersey in 2001 with a M.S. in technology education and a computer science minor. He attended Rutgers School of Law where he graduated with a J.D. in 2005. In 2007, he earned his M.Ed. in educational leadership at Wilmington University.
Cappello is a member of the Medford Board of Education and serves on the board of directors for the New Jersey Principals and Supervisors Association. He was a teacher at Shawnee High School, the director of technology at Maple Shade School District as well as the principal of Howard Yocum Elementary School in the district, and served as an adjunct professor at Camden County College.
“Having served in a number of capacities, I feel as though I can leverage my experiences for the challenges of this new position,” Cappello said. “I think in any new leadership position, it is important to have a comprehensive understanding of the jobs of the other members of the team.”
Cappello comes from a family of educators, with both of his parents, his brother and his wife serving as teachers. He is a father to four boys who take up the majority of his time outside of work.
“They keep us extremely busy with a variety of athletic and creative ventures,” Cappello said. “My children are musicians and we enjoy spending time together discovering and playing music.”
Cappello always knew serving as a superintendent was his long-term objective, and upon arriving at Cinnaminson, he was sure this was the place he wanted to pursue his goals.
“Cinnaminson is a special place, as our students, parents and staff know. The district is in a true Renaissance, having just completed construction and renovations, the facilities are an exceptional physical plant for our students to learn,” Cappello said. “Likewise, student achievement, both in and out of the classroom, is extremely high and continues to trend in a positive direction.”
Now that he has been named superintendent, Cappello’s goal is to continue to foster a positive relationship between the school system and the community, while continuing to keep the public informed. He also looks forward to using his technology background to build the capacity of students and staff to infuse technology tools into the classroom.
“I am extremely humbled by the trust and support that the Board of Education has given to me as a result of this process,” Cappello said. “I am truly looking forward to continuing to work alongside such a positive, supportive group of professionals.”
