New Jersey Superintendent Receives 16th Annual Save The Music Foundation Award for Distinguished Support of Music Education

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

Award Presented During AASA’s Virtual National Conference

Alexandria, Va. – February 19, 2021 – Roger León, superintendent of the Newark Board of Education in Newark, N.J., is the 2021 recipient of the Save The Music Foundation’s 16th annual Administrator Award for Distinguished Support of Music Education.

This prestigious award was presented at the virtual National Conference on Education, hosted by AASA, The School Superintendents Association.

This award recognizes one superintendent or school district CEO who has exhibited outstanding commitment to restoring music education in his or her school district. León was chosen for his deep commitment to providing students across the city of Newark with a well-rounded education that includes music.
 
Since 2017, the Save The Music Foundation has donated nearly $1.26 million worth of new musical instruments and equipment to 33 Newark schools and has committed to providing instrumental music grants to approximately 45 schools by this fall. In addition, it has provided more than 20 professional development opportuntities to music teachers across the district and other program support to foster the growth of music programs.
 
“Superintendent León has been a champion of bringing more music education to Newark,” said Chiho Feindler, senior director of programs and policy for the Save The Music Foundation. “The district added more music teachers to meet the demand of growing music programs under his leadership.”

Born and raised in Newark, León has dedicated 25 years of service to the children in his hometown, a district serving more than 35,000 students in 64 schools.

Under his leadership, Newark Board of Education has expanded musical programming opportunities district-wide.

 “I am incredibly appreciative of the relationship with the Save The Music Foundation,” said León. “The partnership we have has been absolutely transformative and aligned our with vision to ensure that we provide every opportunity for our students to succeed musically, as well as academically.”

Past recipients of this award include: Keely Roberts, superintendent, Zion Elementary District 6 (Ill.); Francisco Escobedo, superintendent, Chula Vista Elementary School District (Calif.); Nancy Sarra, superintendent, Consolidated School District of New Britain (Conn.); Kevin George, superintendent, St. John the Baptist Parish (La.) Public Schools; Russell Freitas, superintendent, Firebaugh-Las Deltas Unified (Calif.) School District; Kristi (Sandvik) Wilson, superintendent, Buckeye (Ariz.) Elementary School District; Reginald Mayo, retired superintendent, New Haven (Conn.) Public Schools; Rita Bishop, superintendent, Roanoke City (Va.) Public Schools; Kathy L. Kelly, superintendent, Columbia Heights (Minn.) Public Schools; Duncan N. P. “Pat” Pritchett Jr., former superintendent, Indianapolis (Ind.) Public Schools; John Lange, former superintendent, Adams County (Colo.) School District 14; Carol Johnson, former superintendent, Memphis City (Tenn.) Schools and current superintendent, Boston (Mass.) Public Schools; Richard Kaplan, superintendent, New Brunswick (N.J.) Public Schools; Eugene White, retired superintendent, Indianapolis (Ind.) Public Schools; and  James A. Williams, former superintendent, Buffalo (N.Y.) Public Schools.

The National Conference on Education routinely convenes the most prominent education thought leaders addressing the most pressing issues in the education landscape. The ongoing challenges brought on by the public health crisis escalates the importance of a national conference where the leaders of our nation’s public school districts are attending.

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About Save The Music Foundation
The Save The Music Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that helps students, schools, and communities reach their full potential through the power of making music. Founded in 1997, Save The Music partners with school districts and raises funds to restore music programs in public schools. Since inception, the organization has donated over $60 million worth of new musical instruments, equipment, and technology to 2,201 schools in 277 school districts around the country–impacting the lives of hundreds of thousands of students. Learn more about Save The Music and its efforts at www.savethemusic.org.

About AASA
AASA, The School Superintendents Association, founded in 1865, is the professional organization for more than 13,000 educational leaders in the United States and throughout the world. AASA’s mission is to support and develop effective school system leaders who are dedicated to equitable access for all students to the highest quality public education. For more information, visit www.aasa.org.

About Newark Board of Education
The Newark Public Schools District, with 66 schools and a student population of more 35,000, is the largest and one of the oldest school systems in New Jersey. Its origin dates back to 1676. Barringer High School, in Newark’s North Ward, is the third oldest public high school in the nation. The ethnic diversity of the city provides a rich educational experience for pre-kindergarten to secondary school students. The district continues to revise its services to meet the changing needs of students

Contact:  
Save The Music Foundation
Lia Peralta
P.O. BOX 2096 New York, NY 10108-2096
Office (212) 846-1891
lia.peralta@savethemusic.org

AASA, The School Superintendent Association
James Minichello
Director, Communications & Public Relations
1615 Duke Street
Alexandria, Va. 22314
Office (703) 875-0723
Cell (703) 774-6953
jminichello@aasa.org

Newark Board of Education
Nancy Deering
Interim Executive Director Communications
765 Broada Street
Newark, NJ 07102
973-733-6265 (Office)
973-477-1475 (Mobile)
ndeering@nps.k12.nj.us