Replacement Chosen For Late Montclair Superintendent: Damen Cooper

MONTCLAIR, NJ — The Montclair Board of Education has chosen a temporary replacement for recently departed superintendent Jonathan Ponds.

The board voted to appoint Damen Cooper as interim superintendent of Montclair Public School District at its meeting on Monday. Cooper, currently the director of secondary education, will assume his new role immediately.

According to a statement from the board, Cooper showed a “collaborative, problem-solving skillset” and a “commitment to students, their families and school staff” in his former position.

The board noted that Cooper was part of Ponds’ senior leadership team, who worked closely with him and was actively involved in all major district initiatives during that time.

“Having a solid strategic plan in place, one that was conceived with robust community involvement, will be a significant tool by which to implement the necessary changes and measure outcomes,” Cooper said.

“I thank my colleagues and the entire community for their support during this transition. I will lead with resolve and determination to support the legacy and high ideals of Dr. Ponds,” he added.

Board President Melanie Deysher welcomed Cooper to his new post at the head of the district.

“Mr. Cooper has been an integral part of developing our community partnerships and the five-year strategic plan,” Deysher said. “Having a vision and a road map to propel the district to new heights was a goal of Dr. Ponds, and we, as a board, are eager to continue the good work established in the strategic planning process.”

“The district is indeed fortunate to have someone at the ready with the experience and knowledge of Mr. Cooper who can immediately take on this key role,” Deysher added.

Cooper will also continue with his responsibilities of the director of secondary education. Here's what will happen in the meanwhile, administrators said:

"The board has decided it will utilize a search firm in the hiring process for a permanent superintendent. To do that, an RFP for a search firm will be advertised in the coming weeks and a contract may be awarded to the most responsive respondent (price and other factors considered) at the September 16 board meeting. The board, through the auspices of a search firm, will seek community input as the process gets underway. After assessments of candidates, initial interviews, community input, final interviews, and contract negotiations, the process will extend through the winter with a target for appointing the finalist in the spring."

TOWN MOURNS LATE SUPERINTENDENT

The change in leadership comes on the heels of Ponds’ unexpected death, which took place earlier this month. See Related: Montclair School Superintendent Dies; Jonathan Ponds Mourned

After he was first appointed to the job in 2020, Ponds lent some much-needed stability to the head of the Montclair Public School District, which saw a steady stream of superintendents over the past few years before he took the helm.

The Montclair Board of Education approved a new five-year contract for Ponds in May. It took effect on July 1 and was slated to run through June 30, 2029.

A fundraiser has been launched in his name, which can be seen here.

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