Battista and Kobza Advance to New Positions

In an anticipated Executive Session, the Monroe Board of Education voted Monday night to hire John Battista, principal of Masuk High School, as Assistant Superintendent of the Monroe School District.

They also appointed Masuk’s Assistant Principal, Joseph Kobza, Interim Principal. Filling Kobza’ former position will be retired Principal, Frank Samuelson, formerly of Oxford High School.

“I hope to make a difference,” said a happy Battista, who will begin his new job Oct. 1 after a minimal transition period.

During an earlier  presentation of the 2010-2011 Student Assessment Results to the Board, he said that he intended to “use the data to work on instruction, curriculum and remediation.”

A dedicated educator Battista began his career as a special needs teacher and soon worked his way up to department head. Since then his experience has been varied and his career path toward administration, though he admits "I love my kids and I love teaching."

Battista  has spent some 29 years in various positions within the Monroe School District gaining in-depth knowledge of the school system and the community.

 He was the principal of Chalk Hill School before moving to Masuk where he has spent the last 11 years. During that period, he led the high school through its accreditation via the New England Association of Schools and Colleges.

Fellow administrators were on hand to wish him well after the announcement.