Joe Batory was superintendent of schools in the Upper Darby School District (the largest school system in Delaware County, PA) from 1984 until he retired in 1999. In that role, Batory had CEO oversight over 12,500 pupils, 1000 employees and an annual budget of more than $85 million. He presided over $40 million of construction projects as the school district experienced rapid growth in its pupil population. The District had three different labor unions and never experienced a work stoppage or job action during Batory’s 15 years at the helm.

Batory’s tenure produced numerous significant accomplishments for the Upper Darby School District. Six of the District’s 12 schools were cited with the prestigious National Blue Ribbon of Excellence from the United States Department of Education. The school system won awards from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania for its extensive program of business partnerships (90), its substance abuse prevention initiatives, its comprehensive program in the arts, and its parent involvement programs. A very successful program of corporate sponsorship of needy students for college education was also put in place.

Batory established effective supportive partnerships for Upper Darby schools with NBC Channel 10 and the Boeing Corporation that still exist today. In addition, a private foundation set up during Batory’s administration has netted hundreds of thousands of dollars for educational endeavors. Upper Darby’s Teacher Center, created during Batory’s term, remains today a “cutting edge” model for professional development among area school districts.

In the mid 1990’s, Batory was cited by Executive Educator magazine and IBM educational systems as one of the Top 100 practitioners among the 300,000 school leaders in North America. When he retired, he was honored with the prestigious Lifetime Distinguished Service Award from the American Association of School Administrators. The National School Public Relations Association honored Batory with its Certificate of Excellence in 1990. He was selected by the Pennsylvania Music Educators’ Association as Superintendent of the Year in 1998 and also received the Commonwealth’s Friends of Journalism Award in 1999. The White House, the United States House of Representatives, the Pennsylvania legislature, and Delaware County Council each formally saluted Batory’s career accomplishments as he retired.

Batory has written numerous articles on education many of which have been published nationally. He is also the author of a sequential trilogy on school leadership published by Rowman and Littlefield (Lanham, MD and Oxford.UK)

Prior to his arrival in the Upper Darby School District in 1975, Batory has a very successful stint as a public affairs administrator at La Salle University (1970-75). He began his career at a teacher of English and Reading with the Camden (NJ) Public Schools (1964-70). There he eventually advanced to respective posts as Language Arts department head and Headstart principal.

Batory’s undergraduate degree is from La Salle University. His master’s degree is from Rowan University. His advanced graduate work for Pennsylvania Superintendent’s Certification occurred at the University of Pennsylvania. He has been a guest lecturer in education leadership and the politics of education at numerous universities as well as at professional association meetings.