ABERDEEN — Soon after the Matawan-Aberdeen Regional School District Board of Education meeting began last week, parents stood up to ask the board not to accept the resignation of Tyler Blackmore, principal at the Matawan Aberdeen Middle School.
During the April 16 meeting, parents told the board that Blackmore is an asset to the district whose leaving would disrupt the success of the middle school.
“I feel this is a tremendous blow to our district as a whole. Why he left, I don’t know. We have heard many things, but none of that matters. Mr. Blackmore has shown tremendous dedication and caring to the MAMS family as a whole,” Andrew Ginsburg, an Aberdeen parent, said.
“I really think that his leaving us is a significant loss. I hope the board would do everything they can to try to get him to change his mind and to stay.
“To not have him here would leave a tremendous hole. Even if someone comes in after him, the hole is tremendous. It is not Mr. Blackmore.”
Blackmore submitted a letter of resignation on April 5, citing personal reasons, according to Superintendent David Healy.
“He is resigning for personal reasons. I don’t want to speculate what those personal issues are,” Healy said in an interview on April 20, adding that Blackmore would remain through June.
“We have every intention to keep him until the end of the school year.”
Joelle Nappy, parent of a sixth-grader, told the board that Blackmore made strong academic improvements at MAMS and instituted positive behavioral supports.
“The students respect Mr. Blackmore, as does this community. It is my opinion that Mr. Blackmore possesses the knowledge and the ability to lead that is necessary for a great school,” she said.
Nappy also acknowledged the board’s support of Blackmore’s “no hugging” statement in March, which gained nationwide media attention.
Blackmore had instructed students that the school was a “no hugging” school in response to incidents of prolonged physical contact between students.
The board had issued a statement in support of the principal’s decision, stating that the policy was addressing physical behavior not appropriate in middle school.
“I was impressed by the board and superintendent’s recent comments in support of Mr. Blackmore’s decision surrounding the hugging incident, as it has become known,” Nappy said.
“I thought it was the right thing to do to support him. It showed fortitude and strength of character.”
She asked the board to consider the negative results that would occur in the school if a new principal replaces Blackmore.
“The upheaval that occurs in a school when there are frequent and abrupt changes in leadership can set a school’s progress back years, not to mention the damage it can do to the morale of the staff,” Nappy said.
“This community is well aware [the direction in which] its district is heading and is very concerned that it continue to be headed in a positive direction where decision making [is done] around what is best for the kids.”
Tara Martinez, PTO member and parent of a student at MAMS, focused on the relationship with the students and staff, referencing the rollout of the Olweus Anti-Bullying program.
“When he talks to the staff, he motivates them to do the task because it is the right thing to do, not because they have to do it but because they want to do it,” she said.
“He is wonderful with the kids. Knowing that all the kids don’t take this as seriously as they should, he has such patience and took the time to explain to them why, and he talked to them on their level.”
Martinez also explained that when a bullying incident occurred, Blackmore responded immediately.
“My daughter had an issue with bullying at the beginning of last year, and I called him to ask him for advice. He said that he would handle it and made a phone call to the parents and the girls. He nipped it, and it was done and over with.
“I know that my children are safe under his watch at all times. I admire his dedication to his job and the kids in this district. I think we are losing the best administrator that we have seen.”
Blackmore, a California native, grew up in the San Francisco Bay area and has worked in educational administration for more than 10 years.
He has worked in urban public schools on both the East and West coasts.
Prior to coming to the Matawan-Aberdeen school district in 2010, Blackmore spent three years as principal atAsbury Park High School.
During that time, Blackmore implemented a new Arts and Humanities Career Academy, providing more options for students eager to study English, theater, dance, music and fine arts.
He also made connections with agencies such as the Prevention Coalition of Monmouth County and 180 Turning Lives Around in Hazlet to provide greater social and emotional support for students.
Alarge group of parents and high school student athletes also came to the meeting to show support for wrestling coach Jess Monzo, who they said was not asked to return for the next school year. Monzo confirmed that he has not resigned his position at the high school.
According to Healy, the resignation of Blackmore will be an action item on the agenda for the April 30 meeting.