Brick Schools Chief Honored As County Superintendent Of Year

BRICK, NJ — Brick Township Schools Superintendent Thomas G. Farrell has been named Ocean County Superintendent of the Year by his peers in the Ocean County Association of School Administrators.

Farrell, who had been the superintendent at Shore Regional High School, took over as leader of the Brick Township Schools in March 2020. Within days of starting, he was faced with having to lead the district through the COVID-19 pandemic while also contending with the financial crisis of the S2 budget cuts.

He is in his fifth year with the Brick Township Schools and received a new contract earlier in 2024, and serves as vice president and president-elect of the Ocean County Association of School Administrators.

"Over the past five years, Dr. Farrell has demonstrated exceptional leadership and dedication while serving the Brick Township Schools," said Vanessa Pereira, president of the administrators organization as she announced the award. "Despite navigating through several challenging budget cycles, Dr. Farrell's unwavering commitment to prioritizing students' needs has been evident in every decision he makes. His steadfast focus on student success and well-being has made a profound impact on his entire school community, earning him the respect and admiration of both his colleagues at OCASA and the families and students of Brick Township Schools."

"Dr. Farrell truly embodies the qualities of an outstanding superintendent and is highly deserving of this prestigious recognition," Pereira said.

Farrell met the dual challenges of the pandemic and the S2 state aid cuts "with courage, resilience, and positivity," the district said in a news release. "Dr. Farrell is a proven strategic leader in education, whose leadership skills translate organizational strategies into results that are in the best interest of all stakeholders. ... (and) truly believes people create excellent school districts and great schools."

"Relationships, in particular, student-teacher relationships, is what impacts students," Farrell has said. "Great schools need to help create a learning environment where healthy student-teacher relationships happen. Young people thrive when adults care about them on a one-to-one level and when they have a sense of belonging to a caring community."

"The Board of Education congratulates Dr. Farrell on this most prestigious and well-deserved honor," said Stephanie Wohlrab, president of the Brick Township Board of Education. "We look forward to your continued work with the BOE and your leadership team in the best interest of our students, parents, staff, and community."

Farrell gives credit to the collaboration with his Central Office and building-based administrative teams and the school board in the district's operations, and he and his team "are focused on providing supports for faculty and staff in their efforts to ensure that all students have an opportunity to achieve and succeed," the district said.

"Brick Schools is committed to providing student-centered instruction through teacher-led practice in a learning environment that fosters academic growth and interpersonal relationships. Through strong community connections, the district’s mission is to promote student success by cultivating their unique talents that will help prepare them for their future, and empower them to assume altruistic roles and embrace lifelong learning," the district said.

"Brick Schools is a proud extension of the community," the district said.