Glenfield Middle School Principal Resigns Over BB Gun Incident

An investigation into a student found with a BB gun at Glenfield Middle School last week has led to the resignation of the school's principal. 

Principal Charles Miller will resign immediately from Glenfield Middle School, Superintendent Penny MacCormack announced Thursday in a press release. An investigation by the Montclair School District into the BB gun incident on April 24 led the district to make this "unexpected" administrative change at the school, added MacCormak.

“The Glenfield community is a strong, cohesive and vibrant one," wrote MacCormack in the press release. "I am confident that we will weather this unexpected transition, continuing to keep the needs of our children as our top priority."

Miller was removed from the school on April 29 during the investigation and replaced by Katherine Martinez, district interim assistant superintendent of instruction. Martinez will continue to act as interim principal through Friday.

Starting Monday, Victoria Skopak will take over as interim principal of Glenfield Middle School until the end of the school year. Skopak's career in the district spans more than 20 years, where she was an assistant principal of Mt. Hebron Middle School and later an administrator, among other things. 

Linda Mithaug, district director of pupil services, was also appointed assistant principal of Glenfield Middle School last month. The school's current assistant principal Cenithia Bilal has been on medical leave since mid-April and is expected to return soon. 

Mithaug will remain at Glenfield as interim assistant principal until Bilal returns.

A search for Glenfield’s new principal will begin immediately, wrote MacCormack in the press release. 

Board of Education President Robin Kulwin commended MacCormack's decision and handling of the investigation.

“The safety of our students and staff is paramount," wrote Kulwin in a press release. "... Difficult — and frightening — situations arise in every district from time to time, unfortunately. Dr. MacCormack acted quickly to initiate this investigation while maintaining the safety of our students and preserving the due process and confidentiality to which every student and district employee is entitled."