Lopatcong Twp. superintendent takes new job Mike Rossi hired by Roxbury School district. He earns $128,000 now; Roxbury paying $168,000. Wednesday, May 07, 2008 • By ANDREA EILENBERGER • The Express-Times LOPATCONG TWP. | After three years as the Lopatcong Township School District's top administrator, Mike Rossi is planning to take the helm of the Roxbury School District. The Roxbury School Board appointed Rossi to a three-year term as superintendent Monday night. Rossi said Tuesday he is grateful for his time at Lopatcong. "I just want to express my gratitude to all the individuals that comprise the Lopatcong Township School District," Rossi said. "All of them will always have a very, very special place in my heart." Rossi, 43, will leave Lopatcong sometime after this school year ends, but a definite date has not been determined. He will earn $168,000 a year at Roxbury. His salary at Lopatcong is $128,000 plus an $8,000 annuity. Rossi is leaving a pre-kindergarten through eighth-grade district of about 900 students for a K-12 district of about 4,500 students. Lopatcong has two schools and Roxbury has seven. "My interest in Roxbury is that it represents an opportunity for me to lead a program from kindergarten through high school graduation," Rossi said. That was a career step he had been interested in pursuing, and the Roxbury position presented an opportunity that seemed to be a good match, he said. His career includes experience as a middle and high school teacher, a Centenary College professor, a supervisor of curriculum, a district supervisor and an elementary principal. Rossi said he will miss the Lopatcong students and school community. He discussed his departure with faculty members Tuesday and planned to send a letter home to parents. Some of his proudest accomplishments at Lopatcong include helping to reduce class sizes, to enhance programs through the way reading is taught and how students are assessed. The next school board meeting is scheduled May 20. Reporter Andrea Eilenberger can be reached at 610-258-7171 or by e-mail at aeilenberger@express-times.com.