Former Acting Superintendent Dr. Gilbert Thanks Everyone

SOUTH ORANGE, NJ – Dr. Kevin Gilbert was appointed to the position of Acting Superintendent during a firestorm that included the Board of Education placing Dr. Ronald Taylor on administrative (terminal) leave, the Intentional Integration Initiative’s review, severe budget issues, and other difficult situations.

Dr. Rachel Goldberg, the Superintendent of the Springfield school district and SOMA resident, began her public comment praising Gilbert for how he handled his tenure as the acting superintendent. “I would like to say thank you to Dr Gilbert. You have taken more than most superintendents see in their whole careers in a very few months. You have done it with grace and kindness, and I don't know that there has been a statement that you've made that doesn't include a true belief in love for students. Thank you.”

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Gilbert later said that he hadn’t planned to speak because he knew the meeting was going to be long, but he wanted to thank Goldberg and stated that she moved him to speak. “Dr. Goldberg was one of several superintendents who I leaned on when I became the acting superintendent of this district. I'd just like to take the opportunity to thank her, to thank Dr. Gerald Fitzhugh, who is the superintendent in Orange. Also, Dr. April Vauss, the superintendent of Irvington, and Mr. Hayden Moore, the superintendent in West Orange, provided me with guidance and direction for someone coming into this position, green.”

He thanked Kaitlin Wittleder and Dr. Qawi Telesford, who both served as BOE presidents while he was acting superintendent. “They supported me, guided me and helped me to kind of steer this ship as best as I could. I want to thank you, the members of the board, for your support,” Gilbert stated.

He continued to say that there were disagreements, but everyone agreed to disagree, found commonality and found out how to lead together in one direction. He also thanked the teachers, staff, students and families of the community. “I thank you for your embrace. I thank you for your support. I thank you for your guidance and helping a green person in this chair to kind of navigate us through some of the challenging waters that we had,” Gilbert commented.

Gilbert thanked the principals and vice principals and said he greatly appreciated his partnership with ASCA and SOMEA. He thanked the senior leadership team for their help and guidance and the attorney for legal advice and guidance.

Gilbert expressed gratitude towards the staff members who are leaving the district. “Ms. Budine, Mr. Brubaker, Mr. Mullen, Mr. Burnside and Mr. Profeta — you are leaving us, but please know that you are instrumental in helping guide us and direct us and helping me to be the very best that I could be. You will be missed, and I'm forever grateful for you.”

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He mentioned that there have been many challenges since November 3. “I did not get everything right, but I hope what you all found in me is a leader who could steady the ship, to keep the ship sailing until it's time to go on that next journey.” Gilbert added some optimistic words, “I still believe we're going to be all right as a district. I know we're going to be all right. Change is not easy, and I still believe that this is part of the greatest story that's ever going to be told.”

Gilbert then addressed the new superintendent, “Mr. Bing, I know you're out there listening. I want you to know that I am docking this ship. It is in good condition, and it is ready for you to take the helm.”

He finished his speech, “Thank you all. I appreciate this opportunity, and I look forward to the work ahead in the school district of South Orange and Maplewood.” Adding, “I have a little five-year-old daughter who's ready to have her daddy back. She's looking forward for that.”

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