Citing Health Concerns, Toms River Regional Super Announces Retirement

Weeks after suffering a heart attack, Toms River's Superintendent of Schools Frank Roselli announced that he will retire at the conclusion of the current school year due to health concerns. 

Roselli, 61, was hospitalized on March 2 after experiencing shortness of breath and was resting at home a few days after the incident. He submitted a letter of retirement to the Board of Education prior to their March 21 meeting, said President Ben Giovine. 

"I was sincerely looking forward to completing the final two years of my commitment to the school district, however health concerns necessitate my retirement at the end of this school year," reads the letter submitted by Roselli. 

Roselli plans to return to work "pending cardiologist's input" on April 1 after the school district's Spring recess, which begins on March 25 and ends on March 31, according to district spokesperson Tammi Millar.

Roselli served as assistant superintendent for over eight years before being appointed to lead the district in 2011 following the resignation of disgraced superintendent Michael Ritacco.

"Mr. Roselli took over as superintendent in a time of trouble, when this district was rocked by scandal. He helped to bring a sense of normalcy and balance back to this district," board member Alex Pavliv said. "He helped bring this district back to what it should be."

The superintendent said that he has been "blessed" to have been an educator for the past 40 years, 32 of which were spent in Toms River. 

"I will cherish these memories for the rest of my life," he said in the letter, which he closed by writing that the children "always come first."

Board member Joseph Torrone, like President Ben Giovine, said that he accepted the retirement "with regret" and asked that the board consider a forthcoming resolution honoring Roselli for his service.