Robert Kravitz appointed new Jericho schools superintendent

The Jericho school district has named a longtime school administrator from suburban New Jersey as its new superintendent, succeeding Hank Grishman, who recently announced plans to retire at the end of this school year.

Robert Kravitz has served as superintendent in Fort Lee, N.J., since 2021, and has more than 20 years’ experience as an educator, the Jericho school board said Tuesday. Kravitz’s appointment in Jericho was unanimously approved by the board at a special meeting Monday night, according to a press release from the district.

Kravitz’s salary will be $315,000 a year, under a three-year contract approved by the board Monday, local officials said. The board spent six months and interviewed multiple candidates in its search for a new leader of the 3,200-student system, which is widely recognized as one of the top-achieving in the nation.

Jericho's board president, Christopher Foresto, described Kravitz during a phone interview as having "a long history of success as a school administrator who is known to be innovative." 

He added, "We look forward to continued success in the future and ensuring the finest education for Jericho's children." 

Kravitz formerly served as superintendent of the Englewood and Englewood Cliffs school districts in New Jersey. Before that, he was principal of an elementary school that won a National Blue Ribbon designation under his leadership — an experience detailed in a book he wrote entitled “Blue Ribbon Story: An Entrepreneur’s Success in Education."

Kravitz will take on his new job on July 1, the board said. Over the next three months, he will be visiting his new district to meet with students, parents, faculty and others.

“When you see Dr. Kravitz in our buildings during these visits, feel free to say hello and introduce yourselves,” the board said in its release.

Kravitz holds a doctorate in educational leadership from Seton Hall University. He received both a master of arts in educational leadership and a master of business administration from Saint Peter's University. 

"I am honored to be the next superintendent in Jericho, following on the career of a phenomenal administrator like Hank Grishman," Kravitz told Newsday. "Jericho values education and my entire career is guided by the same idea: Every child can learn and every child deserves an opportunity." 

The Jericho district has long ranked high academically at regional, state and national levels. The district's high school was one of only 17 on Long Island to achieve "platinum" status in the 2024 Advanced Placement Honor Roll. Platinum is the highest level listed in the annual roll, which is based on student scores on college-level AP courses and tests. 

Grishman, who is completing his 30th year as district superintendent, furthered Jericho's progress in AP coursework by opening enrollment in such courses to all students about 20 years ago. On Tuesday, Grishman told Newsday that he welcomed Kravitz's move to Jericho. 

"I know he will continue to lead Jericho on a path of excellence," Grishman said. 

By John Hildebrand

john.hildebrand@newsday.com@johnhnewsday

John Hildebrand is Newsday's senior education writer and has covered school news and policy issues affecting Long Island for more than 40 years.