Lamont repollet Trailblazer Award

Lamont Repollet

Trailblazer Award Winner

2019

Dr. Lamont O. Repollet was appointed Acting Commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Education by the New Jersey State Board of Education on January 29, 2018. As Commissioner, Dr. Repollet has worked to redesign the Department of Education to what he calls “DOE 2.0.” He is transitioning the agency to become a model organization that strengthens teaching, leading and learning, and increases educational equity for students across New Jersey. During his tenure as Commissioner, the state high-school graduation rate increased to 90.9 percent last year: the highest level since states began using a federally mandated methodology for calculating graduation rates in 2011.

In the past year, Dr. Repollet has also worked to move the Department of Education toward the next generation of assessments, proactively soliciting input from stakeholders around the state. In addition, he and his team have worked to expand early childhood education; promote a school culture that embraces social and emotional learning; and strengthen STEM opportunities for students, including a focus on “Computer Science for All,” which has led to 29 schools across the state receiving $29 million in state funding.

From 2014 to 2018, Dr. Repollet served as superintendent of the Asbury Park School District. As a transformational leader, he implemented new instructional and organizational approaches in the district including the introduction of a pre-K to grade 12 Literacy Intervention and Leadership Development Initiative. Setting a culture of high expectations for the district, along with other innovative programs, helped increase the graduation rate by 30%.

*Biographies are considered current for the submission year only.