Maplewood Middle School principal resigns

MAPLEWOOD, NJ — Maplewood Middle School Principal Jerrill Adams has resigned from his position, effective Aug. 31.

The former principal’s name was included on the list of resignations within the personnel fiscal resolutions approved by the South Orange-Maplewood Board of Education at its meeting Monday, June 20. His departure comes less than two years after the board hired him at its meeting Sept. 22, 2014.

At this point, the reasons behind Adams’ resignation are unclear. District spokeswoman Suzanne Turner told the News-Record she has not yet spoken with Adams, but the district is remaining positive, in light of his departure.

“We thank Mr. Adams for his work at Maplewood Middle School and wish him well,” Turner said in an email on Tuesday, June 21.

The outgoing principal did not respond to requests for comment before press time on Tuesday, June 21.

Meanwhile, Turner said the district is already moving forward with the hiring process to find the next principal for Maplewood Middle School. She said the position will be posted this week.

According to a 2014 news release about his hiring on the district website, Adams worked for 12 years in the New York City public school system before joining the SOMA school district. That time included stints as a classroom teacher, kindergarten to grade eight assistant principal and a staff developer. Just prior to taking on the role of Maplewood Middle School principal, he served as a network team manager for the New York City Department of Education central office, working with principals from 20 schools to implement Common Core instructional expectations.

At the time of his hiring, Adams said he was looking forward to heading up Maplewood Middle School.

“I came to Maplewood Middle School to be a part of a vibrant school community that values inquiry-based learning and providing opportunities for students to be successful in the classroom and outside of the classroom,” Adams said. “The students, staff and parents have been really warm and welcoming in my first two days, and I look forward to working together to build on the successes of the previous administration in ensuring that we are engaging all students in challenging work.”

  Maplewood Middle School, South Orange–Maplewood School District