Superintendent

Dr. Richard A. DiPatri, Superintendent

Dr. Richard A. DiPatri
Superintendent of Schools

2700 Judge Fran Jamieson Way Viera, FL. 32940
631-1911, ext. 402
FAX: 633-3432

Dr. Richard A. DiPatri is the Superintendent of Schools for Brevard County, Florida, home of Kennedy Space Center and the U.S. space program. In his position, he is responsible for over 75,000 students, approximately 10,000 school board employees, and 85 schools, 8 charter schools and 17 special centers in a county that encompasses some 1,300 square miles. Due to Brevard’s unique geographical footprint, Brevard’s district stretches 75 miles from the most northern school, Pinewood Elementary in Mims, to the most southern school, Sunrise Elementary.

Dr. DiPatri was selected by Phi Delta Kappa as Educator of the Year in 2004 and was named in 2005 as one of the three “Citizen of the Year” finalists by Florida Today newspaper. In 2006 Dr. DiPatri was recognized as the Florida Superintendent of the Year. He was also selected as the Music Administrator of the Year by the Florida Music Educator’s Association and the Don Juan Ponce de Leon Educational Leader of the Year. In the fall of 2006, he was honored by the Art Educators’ Association (FAEA) as the Florida Superintendent of the Year. He is the immediate past President of the Large City Schools Superintendent’s Association. Under his leadership, Brevard Public Schools was recently awarded the coveted 2007 Governor’s Sterling Award which recognizes organizational performance excellence. His district is only the second school district in Florida to win this award in 15 years. In October 2007, Dr. DiPatri was named the inaugural recipient of the Thomas E. Gamble Excellence in Education for Economic Development Award presented to an individual who has improved the field of education in regards to economic development and/or the way students are served.

Dr. DiPatri launched the “First in Florida” plan which measures and evaluates the district’s accountability in terms of ranking in the state. Currently, Brevard boasts 74 A schools; 97% received either an A or B grade. Brevard has 11 A high schools of 69 in the state. No other district has more than seven. Every middle school earned an A the last two years.

Dr. DiPatri holds a doctorate in educational administration and supervision from Rutgers University. He earned his undergraduate and masters degrees from Rowan College. He began his career as a teacher in Voorhees, NJ, in 1970 and served as a teacher, school principal, and superintendent of schools in Rumson, NJ. He was appointed to the position of Special Assistant to the Commissioner of Education followed by an appointment as Assistant Commissioner of Educational Programs.

A career educator in New Jersey for 30 years, he was the State District Superintendent of Schools for Jersey City, NJ. The Jersey City district includes a student population of 32,000 students attending 40 schools. Prior to being appointed superintendent for Jersey City schools, he was Deputy Commissioner of the New Jersey State Department of Education, serving as the chief operating officer of the department. In that position, he was responsible for the department’s operations and served as Acting Commissioner of Education during the Commissioner’s absence.