Glen Rock Public Schools welcomes Mr. Kenneth Rota as its new Interim Superintendent, following his appointment by the Glen Rock Board of Education at its July 27, 2026 meeting.
Rota officially began his tenure with Glen Rock Public Schools on September 1. He will serve until January 1, 2027, or until a permanent superintendent is appointed. He succeeds Acting Superintendent, Mr. Gregory Van Nest, who has returned to his previous role as Assistant Superintendent.
With more than three decades of experience in public education, Rota has served in virtually every level of school leadership, beginning his career as a teacher and coach and advancing through roles as a vice principal, assistant principal, middle and high school principal, and superintendent.
He has spent the majority of his career in Bergen County, where he also coached football, wrestling, and baseball. His administrative career has included positions in Fair Lawn, Kinnelon, and Glen Ridge, followed by superintendent roles in East Rutherford, Paramus, and Fort Lee, from where he retired. Rota said he’s been “very lucky to work with some really strong, intelligent people” who have taught him a lot.
Throughout his career, Rota said mentorship has played an important role in his development as an educator and leader. As a superintendent, he benefited from the guidance of experienced colleagues and later made it a priority to mentor others entering school administration. He has helped nine aspiring administrators earn their administrative certifications in New Jersey.
“I received help and support from veteran colleagues, when I was new,” he said. “I felt it was my duty to help others when it was my turn. It’s been one of the most rewarding things I’ve done.”
Rota said the opportunity to serve Glen Rock appealed to him because it gave him a chance to use his experience to help a district during a period of transition. “I’ve served in a few interim roles now, and my feeling is, if I can go and help someone, I’m in,” he said. “I’m not quite ready to ride off into the sunset. I still enjoy the work.” His family, he added, has jokingly noted that he has failed at retirement.
For Rota, leadership is fundamentally about supporting others. He describes his leadership style as similar to that of a coach, which he applies to all parts of his life; he strives to encourage people, assist in keeping them focused, and help them move forward.
“I’ve always considered myself to be a coach, and that’s my job—to support and encourage people and keep them focused and headed in the right direction,” Rota said.
During his time in Glen Rock, Rota said one of his primary goals will be to help maintain the district’s momentum while supporting the Board of Education through its search for a permanent superintendent. While he will not be involved in the search itself, he will work to ensure a smooth transition for the eventual permanent superintendent.
“Glen Rock is a strong district with a lot of positives,” Rota said. “My goal is to keep the district moving in the right direction and keep those things going until someone permanent is here. It’s a high-performing, high-student-achievement district, and its reputation certainly precedes it. My experience so far has reinforced that,” he continued. “There is a dedicated staff and administration team leading the process.”
In a letter to the community, Dr. Damali Robinson, Glen Rock Board of Education President, noted how impressed the BOE trustees were with the experience, perspective, and leadership approach Rota brings to the District.
“We are confident that he possesses the skillset necessary to support our administrators and staff, maintain organizational stability,” she continued, “and help ensure that our students continue to learn and achieve at the high level our community expects.”
Outside of education, Rota enjoys spending time with his family, including his wife, Jill, who is also a career educator; his son, Christian, and daughter-in-law, Allison; his daughter, Amy; and his two granddaughters, Callie and Quinn. He also enjoys cooking, reading and, as he readily admits, enjoying a good meal.
After decades in education, Rota said one lesson continues to stand out to him: no school leader succeeds alone. He emphasizes the importance of finding good mentors, learning from experienced professionals, and building relationships with people who understand the challenges and rewards of educational leadership.
Now, Rota brings that experience and collaborative approach to Glen Rock. As he begins his tenure, he looks forward to getting to know the district, working alongside its dedicated staff and administration, and supporting Glen Rock’s students and families as the district builds on its strong foundation and looks ahead to an even brighter future.