South Orange-Maplewood School District Names New Superintendent

MAPLEWOOD, NJ - The mystery is solved. Dr. Ronald Taylor has been named the new Superintendent of Schools for the South Orange-Maplewood School district effect July 8. The announcement was made at a special Board of Education meeting Thursday night.

"Dr. Taylor is an exceptional leader with extensive experience, proven results, and outstanding listening and communication skills. Throughout the search process, the Board focused on finding an educational leader who is unwaveringly student-focused and has a track record of results which match our immediate and long-term needs," said Board of Education President Annemarie Maini. "Dr. Taylor will be an asset to our community as we work to deliver on major initiatives including a $145+MM bond, a complete elementary reconfiguration, and continue to move our district toward deliberate monitoring and oversight using QSAC.”

Taylor started his career as a kindergarten teacher. During his years as an educator he was an assistant principal, as well as an award-winning principal, before moving to a Regional Superintendent role in Newark. He joined Willingboro as Superintendent eight years ago where his research-based, data-driven approach resulted in bringing academic and operational stability to Willingboro, according to officials.

Taylor was selected in a robust search process led by Dr. Bill Librera, our search consultant, from West Hudson Associates, which began in August 2018, officials said. The search included community meetings and a survey to craft a leadership profile, selection of candidates to be interviewed in a first round with the Board of Education, second round interviews with three finalists. Taylor emerged as the leading candidate, and subsequent in-depth interviews, including a conversation with the student representative to the Board, background and reference checks, and a site visit by two of the three Board officers confirmed the Board’s conviction that Taylor is the right educational leader for district, officials said.

According to officials, Taylor’s eight years of experience as the Superintendent of Willingboro have provided an excellent foundation for him to lead the work to address SOMSD’s current priorities:

• Infrastructure: Successfully led the implementation and completion of a $67 Million facilities bond referendum under budget and ahead of schedule.
• Schools Reconfiguration: Led successful implementation of reconfiguration of elementary schools.
• Preschool Expansion: Facilitated the creation of two District Early Childhood Development Centers using $4+ Million in competitive grant funding.
• QSAC Monitoring: Improved Willingboro’s performance by 55 percent points in Curriculum and Instruction and improved district operational processes.
• Equity: “Dr. Ron Taylor is serving as a strategist on the NJASA Equity for Students Committee because of his courageous and effective efforts in addressing student equity matters in his School District” according to Dr. Kathleen Taylor (no relation) on behalf of the NJASA Equity for Students Committee. At Willingboro, he successfully implemented student Chromebook “1 to 1” initiative grades 3rd-12th.

In a press release officials asked that the community join them in welcoming Taylor to South Orange-Maplewood School District, as they work together to build the infrastructure, systems and educational program which will help all of our students master the skills and knowledge they need to be successful.

"Dr. Ficarra, the Senior Leaders of Central Office, and the Board of Education are committed to ensuring a smooth transition to our new leadership," the release said.

The community will have an opportunity to meet with Taylor in a series of meet and greet events. The first is scheduled to take place on Tuesday, April 30 at 7:30 p.m. in the Columbia High School Library.

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