Ed. Note: Yesterday South Orange-Maplewood Superintendent Dr. Kevin Gilbert notified families that Columbia High School principal Frank Sanchez was placed on administrative leave. While no details have been shared about the reasons for this action, today the Black Parents Workshop, which works to fight discrimination against Black students who attend district schools, released this statement:

Several months ago, the Black Parents Workshop, Inc., became aware of an incident involving a female student at Columbia High School and the school principal, Frank Sanchez. Our concerns regarding Principal Sanchez were expressed by BPW Chairman James Davis when the matter of Principal Sanchez’s contract renewal came before the Board in May 2023. 

As a result of our concern, BPW is now providing legal representation to the student and her family under the counsel of BPW Legal Counsel Robert Tarver and attorney James H. Davis III. If you are aware of any student that has possibly had a physical interaction or had some other negative interaction with Principal Sanchez or if you ever filed a complaint against Principal Sanchez and received no follow up or a conclusion to a complaint that you disagree with, we want to hear your story.  Please contact us at tarverlawoffice@gmail.com or jhdavis@calldac.com.

As BPW approaches its 10^th anniversary, we continue to work to make certain that the rights of Black children are protected. Our history is rooted in the civil rights complaint brought by BPW Founder Walter Fields and his spouse on behalf of their daughter against the South Orange-Maplewood School District, the federal lawsuit against the school district on behalf of Black students, and the representation of Black children assaulted by the Maplewood police after an Independence Day fireworks event. 

We will continue to remain vigilant to make sure Black children are safe in the school and community environments in Maplewood and South Orange.