A new superintendent has been appointed in the South Orange-Maplewood School District, seven months after the previous superintendent was removed amid complaints from families, teachers and education advocates.
The school board voted Tuesday to name veteran educator Jason Bing as the Essex County school district’s superintendent under a four-year contract.
Arun Vadlamani, the school board’s first vice president, described Bing as “a lifetime educator.”
Bing will be paid $250,000 a year, said district communications director Paul Brubaker.
The district began its search for a superintendent in January after board members voted in November 2023 to place Superintendent Ronald Taylor on paid administrative leave until June 30, when his contract expires. The board named Kevin Gilbert, the district’s former assistant superintendent of access and equity, as acting superintendent.
Taylor’s removal came after the South Orange-Maplewood Education Association, the union representing teachers, announced a no-confidence vote against Taylor, who earned $226,000 a year in the post. He was criticized for everything from failing to close achievement gaps in the district to canceling Halloween events in schools.
Officials received input from over 2,000 community members through surveys, focus groups and public meetings before selecting a new superintendent, said Qawi Telesford, the school board president.
The board received over 40 applications for the position, which was narrowed down to a short list of candidates who interviewed with the board over a two week period, officials said.
Telesford said board members were impressed most with Bing’s “profound understanding of education topics.”
Bing began his career as an elementary teacher in the North Plainfield School District before transitioning to administration in the Phillipsburg School District as a K-8 supervisor, according to a district press release.
Bing then went to the Great Meadows Regional School District in Warren County, where he served as director of curriculum/special education and then as superintendent, the district said. Bing continued his administrative career in the Barnegat and Bloomfield, serving as superintendent in both districts.
Bing was the chief academic officer in Jersey City Public Schools from 2013 to 2021, according to his LinkedIn profile. Since then, he has served as a superintendent in Dutchess County, New York.
Bing inherits a school district that has had a controversial school year. In late March, the South Orange-Maplewood School District was added to a growing list of universities and districts under investigation by federal officials for alleged discrimination.
Earlier that month, district officials issued an apology to community members for an “inflammatory document” about Ramadan containing antisemitic language that was sent to all high school staff.
The same day officials issued that apology, the principal of Columbia High School was arrested and charged with second-degree endangering the welfare of a child and simple assault for an alleged incident that occurred last year.
“We are in a period as a district of change and, at times, turmoil,” said school board member Elizabeth Callahan.
“This period of transition is an opportunity for us to come together to support one another and allow our superintendent time to acclimate by fostering an environment of understand and patience,” said Callahan.
Bing said he was “honored and humbled” to take on the position.
“We’re looking to do a lot of face-to-face meetings and get to know everybody and move forward as we come into South Orange-Maplewood School District,” said Bing.
Bing added community members should expect town hall meetings on the calendar in the near future.
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Jackie Roman may be reached at jroman@njadvancemedia.com.
