Today families and staff in the South Orange-Maplewood School District received a letter from Acting Superintendent of Schools Kevin Gilbert advising them that Columbia High School Principal Frank Sanchez is on leave. Assistant Superintendent Ann Bodnar will temporarily fill the slot at the district’s largest school.

Districts (and other organizations) place staff on administrative leave while they investigate an incident or series of incidents. Sanchez will continue to get paid but won’t have access to the school building.

South Orange-Maplewood has been much in the news lately. In November the local school board put Superintendent Ronald Taylor on leave after votes of no-confidence from the local teachers union and the Black Parents Workshop. Taylor was replaced by Dr. Gilbert, former Assistant Superintendent for Equity and Access.

This is a developing story.

Here is the letter from Gilbert

January 2nd, 2024

Dear Columbia High School Families,

This morning I informed Columbia High School faculty and staff that Mr. Frank Sanchez is presently on leave as principal of Columbia High School. At this point, no one in the District is at liberty to share any details pertaining to his absence.

Effective immediately, Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction Ann Bodnar will serve as acting principal of Columbia High School  until further notice.

We will provide updates to you as soon as we can.

Sincerely,

Dr. Frank Gilbert

Acting Superintendent of Schools

The School District of South Orange and Maplewood