Business administrator joins Freehold schools

Patrick DeGeorge FREEHOLD — When Patrick DeGeorge was in high school, he brought home an assignment that involved organizing a large packet of invoices, records and financial journals. He realized then that he had found his niche in life.

DeGeorge, who is the Freehold Borough K-8 School District's new business administrator, has a long history of working with figures. He started his position in Freehold on Dec. 1.

DeGeorge graduated from St. Peter's College, Jersey City, and earned his master's degree at Seton Hall University, South Orange.

His professional career includes working in the fast-paced world of Wall Street for companies such as the Bank of New York/Mellon in Jersey City, and at Price Waterhouse, Goldman Sachs, Ernst & Young and J.H. Cohn, New York. He worked as a chief financial officer of smaller companies such as CGS Technology Associates, Iselin, and at DeCarlo Schmitt Associates, Red Bank.

After years spent working in the private sector, DeGeorge, 48, of Barnegat, said he felt the need to move in a different direction. Although he said he enjoyed working in private industry, he decided to take his skills and move into the field of education.

He said his wife, Patricia, who he called his "driving force," was a great influence in helping him make that decision. His wife has been working in the education field for many years and is the supervisor of early education for the Little Egg Harbor School District.

"I wanted to combine my skill set with my love for children. This along with my wife's influence helped me know this was the right decision. I trust her," DeGeorge said, adding that his wife is a "life role model. She keeps me grounded."

DeGeorge, who married Patricia nine years ago, is a stepfather to three grown children, Daniel, 29, Timothy, 27, and Katherine, 25. He is a stepgrandfather to Daniel and his wife Leslie's two young daughters.

"I believe that as parents we are the stabilizers of our kids," he said.

DeGeorge began his work in education as the business administrator for the Bass River School District in Burlington County, which he said was a small, rural school district. He said it was time to move on to a larger district, which he said "seemed like the next logical step."

DeGeorge said he evaluated at least a half-dozen districts and settled on the Freehold Borough School District, which he said "felt like a very good place."

"I was comfortable with the administration and the environment," he said. "I'm a Jersey City native and I like the idea of a multicultural, multiethnic district. I have an affinity for that. It seemed to be the best move."

DeGeorge said the biggest challenge he sees in his position as the district's business administrator is the school budget.

"We have to make sure we have enough to take care of our children in the safest way, but not too much to put an unnecessary burden on our taxpayers. It's a delicate balance," he said.

DeGeorge said the use of the buildings is an important issue, as is the expansion of the district's facilities so that "each student has a chance to have the best education possible— and to do that in an efficient manner."