14-year business administrator of school district going to Paramus in September West Milford West Milford school district’s longtime business administrator, Steve Cea, resigned his position Tuesday, effective Aug. 31. Cea, 47, has served under four superintendents during his tenure here in West Milford. “The opportunity arose in a district and I thought this is going to be something I just couldn’t pass up,” said Cea on Wednesday. “I thought I’d spend the rest of my career in West Milford. I looked at it from all angles and think this is best for me.” The Paramus School Board met on Monday night and hired Cea, the same night that the West Milford School Board had its meeting. He officially tendered his resignation with Superintendent Bernice Colefield on Tuesday. But rumors of his departure were floating a full week before. Paramus is a district similar in size to West Milford, a point brought out by current board of education president David Richards during his campaign this spring when he compared testing scores of the two districts. Paramus has a slightly higher budget-$80 million-than West Milford and a larger student body with 4,300 children. There are five elementary schools, two middle schools and one high school. With so many similarities, what are the differences? “They pass their budget on a regular basis,” said Cea. “It is a very supportive environment.” The same can’t be said right now in West Milford. The school board has a new majority since May and passing the school budget is not nearly a given each year. There has been much turmoil on the board and between the board and the administration, staff and public. But that is not what Cea cites as his reason for leaving. He said he’s dealt with difficult people and situations in the past. “I wouldn’t allow people who are negative to chase good people away,” he said. He has stood up for employees in public because he knows what good, dedicated employees they are. “I’ve hired many of the people I work with. They are hard-working, dedicated individuals who care about West Milford,” Cea said. “I feel that sometimes things are said and cast a shadow over things and I feel I have to set the record straight.” Cea said he gets notices on a regular basis about openings in different districts. He reads them primarily to keep up on his colleagues. But when he received this notice, he thought it might be an opportunity for him both professionally and personally. Personally, it will bring his work closer to home. This Nyack, N.Y., resident will shave 40 minutes from his daily commute. “I think West Milford is an outstanding school district,” said Cea. “And I think Paramus is too. There’s a certain notoriety there. It’s an advancement opportunity for me.” And a big loss to West Milford. “Quite frankly it’s a big loss to the district,” said Superintendent Bernice Colefield. “School district administrators of his caliber are hard to come by.” Colefield said Cea isn’t just a numbers person. He has the unique combination of understanding the importance of both education and the bottom line. “Steve understands the importance of supporting our educational vision here, not just finance. It’s the meshing of the two,” Colefield said. Cea started his career at in the Ho-Ho-Kus school district, spending four years there before coming to West Milford in 1996. He earned a bachelor’s degree in computer science from Columbia University and a master of business administration from the Walter A. Haas School of Business at the University of California at Berkeley. He is also actively involved in several professional organizations including the Passaic County Association of School Business Officials, the Education Council of Passaic county and the Bergen County Association of School Business Officials. And as Cea looks forward, he also looks back with gratitude. “I really consider West Milford a home and I’m comfortable in staying. I’m moving because it’s a good opportunity, a good district and a good match,” Cea said. “The people and the community have been excellent to me. I have no regrets.” Colefield said Cea is one of a kind. “He is my partner,” said Colefield. “I’m happy for him but I’ll miss him. People have no idea what they’re losing.” I’m moving to a new opportunity. I’m not running away from anything.” Steve Cea