Maplewood Superintendent's New $226K Contract Up For Board Vote

MAPLEWOOD, NJ — The South Orange-Maplewood Board of Education has reached an agreement in principle with Superintendent Ronald Taylor for his next contract, said the board president Friday. The agreement will be up for a vote at the board meeting in September.

The updated salary is $226,051 with annual 2 percent raises, said a district spokesperson. The three-year contract will be backdated to July 2021 upon board approval. There is no merit pay.

Taylor began his job in July of 2019.

Board of Education President Joshua Thair released a statement Friday evening explaining how the board arrived at the salary amount.

He wrote:

"When Dr. Taylor came to our district with previous experience as a superintendent leading construction projects, New Jersey school superintendent’s salaries were capped at approximately $190,000."

Thair noted, "Shortly after his arrival, the state lifted the salary cap, and many New Jersey superintendents renegotiated their contracts. Dr. Taylor opted to defer that opportunity to renegotiate as he was new to the district. By the end of his first year, we were deep in the global pandemic, so again, the Board and the Superintendent did not renegotiate."

Thair said, "The board has now negotiated a new contract that reflects current market rates, including the removal of merit pay, while ensuring stability and the continuity of leadership our district needs. This contract will allow us to continue our forward movement on the district’s commitment to equity and excellence in education."

He referred to initiatives such as:

• Intentional Integration Initiative expansion;
• Physical improvement of our elementary schools, including over 45 new classrooms;
• Development of secondary school construction plans;
• Columbia High School, which will include 9 new classrooms
• Renovation projects at both middle schools
• Further investment in technology, both hardware and software;
• Transforming the climate and culture in school buildings through a commitment to restorative justice and crisis intervention teams; and
• Continual curriculum revision to reflect our student population and to manifest true inclusion for all students and families
• Community access to all curricula through Atlas

"I am proud of the work the district is doing," Thair wrote, "and I look forward to Dr. Taylor continuing to lead our important work for the children."

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