Gary Vitta Distinctions and Honors during his career

Dr. Vitta's Legacy

Professional Educator. Master School Administrator. College Professor. Dedicated Husband, Father, Grandfather, And Loyal Friend To Many

Bump on My Road of Professional Success

“Those Without Sin Cast The First Stone”

Fact: I was charged with Obstruction of Justice/ Witness Tampering

Fact: This happened years after my retirement

Fact: I pled guilty to this offense. There was no arrest or indictment.

Fact: I mistakenly told someone not to tell the truth about a gift(s) given to my daughter at her graduation party at the Madison Hotel in 2007. It should be noted that I had given the gifts back shortly after the gathering in 2007. However, the mistake, error in judgment or offense as it’s called happened in 2013/14. It truly was a mind boggling stupid act on my part. I am not including all the details of this here but the charge was as stated above

Fact: Federal Judge Chesler said if he thought I took a bribe he would be sending me to jail; however what happened here is very unclear and it represented mind-boggling stupidity. There was no restitution of the gifts at all as there was no bribery or corruption.

Fact: I was sentenced to three years of probation with the first year being home confinement. I was also fined $10,000

Fact: I never was charged with bribery or corruption and I never did anything against the law in the past. The word corruption or crooked was never used by anyone other than an article written by a radio station and perhaps some other media outlet. I assume that those words were used to inflame what occurred and to defame my good name

Fact: I am also a very trusting, amiable human being and let many people into my life. I have been told by many this is part of my personality and that I should be far more careful as to whom I call a friend.

Fact: I had over 135 strong letters of support from individuals in all professions including a former Chief of Police, a former Secret Service Agent, Police Officers, Doctors, Detectives, Lawyers, Board of Education Members, Professional Colleagues, Family, Friends, former students and neighbors

Fact: I take full responsibility for my stupidity and for the offense as well as the pain and suffering I caused myself, my family and friends

Fact: About a year after adjudication of the offense, the State of New Jersey filed a civil lawsuit against me claiming that the offense would precipitate a forfeiture of my earned pension and medical benefits and that I should be barred from public employment

Fact: This lawsuit went on for months and a vigorous battle was fought by my attorney and the attorneys for the State of New Jersey

Fact: Superior Court Judge Mary Jacobson ruled and a final judgment was declared with prejudice meaning that this case can never be brought forth again. She ruled that the State of New Jersey failed to prove that what happened touched upon my role as Superintendent and that my pension must be restored immediately and retroactively. She also ruled that I could work in public employment.

Fact: The State of New Jersey filed a motion appealing her decision to the New Jersey Appellate Court. The State of New Jersey then dropped their appeal on August 3, 2016 indicating that upon further review of the record and issues in this case that it was decided that the State should withdraw its Notice of Appeal

Fact: The New Jersey Bureau of Pensions refused to abide by Judge Mary Jacobson’s decision and my attorney had to fight vigorously with the pension bureau

Fact: The Judge had to once again be asked to reissue her order and after more legal briefs and battles my pension was finally restored in late August 2016

Fact: Steve Edelstein, my attorney, is in my humble opinion, the absolute best expert in the field of school law and pensions. The legal briefs and oral arguments were outstanding and truthful. He and his team carefully examined all the issues and provided concrete examples as to why the State was so off base in even bringing forth such a lawsuit.

Fact: This entire ordeal took years off my life and caused so much suffering not only to me but to my wife, children and all my family and friends. I take full responsibility for my stupid ridiculous action.

Fact: There are definitely media outlets that choose words that are inflammatory such as crooked Superintendent and Corrupt etc. These are defamatory remarks that incite the public with information that is totally erroneous.

Fact: In addition, the New Jersey Board of Examiners also did not abide by the Judge’s decision regarding working in public employment and decided to try to revoke my certification. After another legal battle I agreed to settle for a 3 year suspension of my School Administrator’s Certificate.

Fact: I presented above the facts and only the facts. There can be no dispute over what is written here.

Fact: As I said above I was wrong and this was a major blip in my successful career. It will be a stigma I must learn to live with all my life.

It is my hope that others can learn from my mistake

It is also my hope that I can move forward despite fake news and the damage I did to my reputation

It is my hope that whoever lays eyes on this website reads the various pages in total

I plan to post about 25 of the 135 letters of support I received during this life altering crisis

It has been a rough road but with God, Family and Friends I survived

I plan to move forward with integrity and dignity

2017

Honors and Distinctions

Anti Defamation League Aaron Flanzbaum 21st Century Heritage Award for the Reduction of Prejudice

This award above was given to me because I showed the entire student body in two seating’s the movie, Shindler’s List along with pre-determined lesson plans dealing with prejudice reduction. It was given by the NJ Regional Office of the Anti-Defamation League in association with the New Jersey Association of School Administrators in May of 1996.

Viewing of Shindler’s List to the Entire Student Body at West Essex High School

I asked the entire school community to view the move Shindler’s List so as to give each student an overview of what took place during the Holocaust and to remind students never to forget that evil exists and that something like this should never be repeated in history

Hosted Egyptian Ambassor to the USA at my Home

The hosting of the Egyptian Ambassador took place when I was Superintendent of the Carteret Public Schools. I hosted a dinner at my home with the Ambassador at that time along with the Carteret Board of Education President so as to explore avenues of prejudice reduction. The Board President has an affiliation with the Egyptian Ambassador since she herself was born in Egypt and worked with many of the Egyptian Officials. This occurred in and around the year 2001. In addition I was asked to go to the American Egyptian School in Alexandria to assist in the training of their teachers in 2010/2011. It was a wonderful experience and will never be forgotten.

Hosted Students from Other Countries via Rotary Community Service

I hosted a young man from Switzerland during the summer months of 2012 and worked with him in regards to the English Language and American Culture. My family and I took him on various trips in the metropolitan area so he could experience NYC, West Point, Jersey Shore and other sites of interest as well as Broadway Productions etc

In addition, about 10 to 14 years ago my family and I hosted two students from Japan via the Rotary Organization and did the same as the above in promoting and experiencing American Culture and the English Language. We provided much of the funding for shows, trips and family meals.

NJ Joint Legislative Resolution upon Retirement for Outstanding Service

The above award was presented to me at my retirement for Outstanding Service in Education and was very specific and detailed the various educational endeavors during my career. It was signed by the President of the New Jersey Senate and the New Jersey Speaker of the General Assembly in December 2011

Guest Speaker at High School Graduation - Holocaust Survivor – Maude Dahme

Maude Dahme, former State Board of Education Member and New Jersey Hall of Fame Individual was asked by me to speak at the West Essex High School Graduation as a guest speaker. In addition, Maude spoke at my County Superintendent Roundtable Meeting to explain and discuss what happened to her when she was a little girl in Holland during the Nazi Era. There is now a documentary on her life that can be seen online and on TV at various times.

Oxford Summer Workshop for School Leaders in 1999

I attended this outstanding seminar at Oxford for approximately two weeks. It involved school leadership with international aspects. It was an honor to be chosen to participate in such an outstanding event.

Gary Vitta

Distinctions