Dr. Brian Latwis, left, is congratulated by Board of Education President Kevin Barnes on his appointment as Ocean City's new superintendent of schools. (Photo courtesy of Ocean City School District)
Dr. Brian Latwis was hired as the next superintendent of the Ocean City School District at the Board of Education meeting on Thursday.
Latwis, an experienced school administrator, has been the superintendent of the Barnegat Township School District for eight years.
He was selected after a rigorous two-month process that involved applicant screenings and multiple rounds of interviews with board members.
Latwis will start the position this summer, following the retirement of current Ocean City Superintendent of Schools Christian Angelillo.
“Dr. Angelillo has done a great job,” Latwis said in a news release Friday announcing his appointment. “I look forward to working with him and the administrative team during the transition and developing relationships with the staff and this highly engaged community.”
Latwis describes himself as a lifelong learner. His most recent professional development experience was earning a National Superintendent Certification from AASA, the School Superintendents Association. He participated in the two-year program with fellow superintendents from across the country.
With a strong background in special education, Latwis regularly leads professional development. Prior to serving as Barnegat’s superintendent, he was the district’s director of special education and held the role of director of student services in the Keansburg School District.
Latwis earned a bachelor’s degree in special education from New Jersey City University, a master’s degree in administration and supervision from Georgian Court University, and a doctorate in educational leadership from Rowan University.
He said he was drawn to Ocean City because of the district’s academic strengths and community connections. He is also impressed by the rate of teacher retention.
“Ocean City has a great reputation. They have a strong community. Everyone roots and rallies for the district,” he said. ‘The board is super-motivated to see the district do well.”
Latwis also said he appreciates how the shore environment plays an integral role in student experiences in the Ocean City School District.
“There are amazing opportunities for education and activities in this unique shore community,” he said. “I am excited to work in a district where we can easily connect students to both nature and their neighborhoods.”
Kevin Barnes, president of the Ocean City Board of Education, said he and the other members look forward to working with Latwis.
“Brian brings an impressive background and energy and enthusiasm for education to this role,” Barnes said in the release. “We look forward to collaborating on ways to continue the Ocean City School District’s tradition of academic excellence while offering students a wide range of opportunities.”
Dr. Brian Latwis, an experienced school administrator, has been the superintendent of the Barnegat Township School District for eight years.Achievements in Barnegat:
Over eight years in Barnegat, Latwis has overseen achievements in academics and activities, and facilities improvements.
He said he is proud of the competitive esports team and award-winning arts program, which includes a recording studio. Barnegat has been named one of the “Best Communities for Music Education” by the National Association of Music Merchants Foundation for seven consecutive years.
The district’s pre-kindergarten program earned a four-star rating from Grow NJ Kids, a state-sponsored initiative to raise the quality of early learning and childcare throughout the state.
“There is not one single thing that really stands out," Latwis said of his career in district leadership. "It is the tangible evidence that you are putting students in a place to succeed day after day and year after year.”
Leadership style:
A sign hanging in Latwis’ office bears a quote from Babe Ruth: “Every strike brings me closer to a home run.”
It is a testament to both Latwis’ love of sports and his growth mindset.
He recalls that when he was first working as a superintendent, the role can feel daunting and even isolating.
“However, I always have been a team guy, and I quickly learned that you do not have to tackle every situation that arises by yourself,” he said. “If you trust and empower your team, everyone works together to find solutions."
Latwis describes his leadership style as “building relationships with accountability.”
“I have high standards for myself and others,” he said.
He believes the Ocean City School District has a solid and proven framework for continued success.
“The staff is really invested, the board is invested and the community is invested. When everyone is working together in the same direction, special things come out of that,” he said.
