Thirty applications, nine interviewed candidates and three rounds of interviews led the Haddonfield Board of Education to one person: Larry Mussoline.
Thirty applications, nine interviewed candidates and three rounds of interviews led the Haddonfield Board of Education to one person: Larry Mussoline.
“The decision was tough but unanimous,” Board President Adam Sangillo said.
According to Sangillo, it was a combination of “extraordinary experience and accomplishments” that made Mussoline the ideal choice for the superintendent position. For Mussoline, Haddonfield is the latest chapter in his series of notable accomplishments. The integral aspects of Mussoline’s life can be followed back to a simpler time in a small, Pennsylvanian town in the ’60s, which he recalls fondly.
Mussoline reminisced on some of his favorite memories of his younger self riding his bicycle around his hometown of Hazleton, Pa., and playing high school baseball.
“I loved the ability to ride my bike all over town, you could hangout until the sun went down,” Mussoline said.
Although Mussoline enjoyed his childhood, it did not come without significant challenges. A 15-year-old Mussoline stepped up to the plate to be a support system for his mother when his father, a teacher at Hazelton High School, passed away at the age of 46. During this time, he gathered an appreciation for his teachers for lending a helping hand while offering educational assistance.
“I always thought it was a profession where you could do some good and make a difference,” Mussoline said.
Later, Mussoline would go on to make a difference himself. Before stepping into a classroom, his first leadership role came on the baseball field.
Mussoline began his journey with baseball in 1975 after graduating high school. He umpired at the Hazleton Babe Ruth League and AA Eastern League as a substitute umpire for the Harrisburg Senators organization. Mussoline was also chosen to work U.S. Olympic-level baseball tournaments throughout the nation, Little League, Babe Ruth League, NCAA Division I, II and III levels, high school, American Legion and summer semi-pro levels totaling 25 years.
“Baseball was a big part of my life,” Mussoline said. “It teaches you leadership and management skills.”
Mussoline received his doctorate in educational administration from Pennsylvania State University in 1998. He also holds a master’s degree in educational administration from Shippensburg University and a bachelor’s degree in secondary education, comprehensive social studies from Bloomsburg University.
Shortly after graduation, Mussoline would embark on a journey that few 21 year olds face. Upon entering his first job at Bishop Hafey in Hazleton, he discovered he would not only be teaching one course, but an array of materials.
“I taught everything under the sun,” Mussoline said.
Due to a short staff, Mussoline had to wear a multitude of hats, which included teaching psychology, sociology, U.S. history, world geography and two English courses.
In addition to his stint in the classroom, Mussoline also played a major role in the athletic department by taking on the position of head baseball coach for Bishop Hafey, which prepared him for various aspects of interpersonal relationships and leadership skills.
Mussoline was superintendent of schools for the Wilson, Pa., school district for four years, and principal for the Central Dauphin School District, a position he proudly held for nine years.
“Being a high school principal may be one of the toughest jobs in the school system,” Mussoline admitted.
According to a release by the district earlier this month, Mussoline also served as superintendent in the Downingtown Area Public School District in Pennsylvania, where his notable accomplishments as superintendent of the 13,500-student district include opening the Downingtown STEM Academy in the 2011–2012 school year and the Marsh Creek Sixth Grade Center in 2014–2015.
Serving 19 years as superintendent, Mussoline retired from the Downingtown Area Public School District to take a journey to the other side of the river.
Although Mussoline retired from the district, he was open to the idea of looking to use his leadership abilities in other districts.
“I still wanted to make a difference somewhere,” Mussoline said.
After applying for the position, it was clear he was the right person to meet the needs of the Haddonfield school district, officials said.
“We wanted to offer a leader who would encourage our people to look up and out, working with the best education systems in the country to bring a world-class, global learning experience to Haddonfield,” Sangillo said.
The first step for Mussoline when he starts on July 1 will be to “assess” the educational environment of the district before taking strong action.
“You can’t just walk in and say, ‘this is what we are going to do and this is how we are going to do it,’” Mussoline explained. “Until you really get in there and understand that, you can’t make any decision.”
Mussoline looks forward to developing a “sense of community pride” in Haddonfield and exploring the educational climate. His first goal is to get to know the team, community and curriculum while working toward a personalized learning environment for the students.
On July 1, Mussoline will step into the administration building ready to turn over a new page for the district.
