Princeton High School Principal Jessica Baxter has resigned from the top administrative post at the high school to accept the principal’s post at Randolph High School in the Randolph Township Schools.
Baxter, who has served as the principal at Princeton High School since July 2019, will assume her duties at Randolph High in mid-January, Princeton Interim Superintendent of Schools Barry Galasso said. The Morris County school district is closer to her home, he said.
Meanwhile, Princeton High School Assistant Principal Jared Warren has been recommended to serve as the acting principal at Princeton High while the district searches for a permanent principal, Galasso said.
The Princeton Public Schools Board of Education is expected to take action at its Dec. 15 meeting.
“We have put procedures in place to select a permanent principal. I will share the methodology with the public at the December school board meeting,” Galasso said.
“The Princeton Public Schools has been fortunate in the past to attract qualified candidates, and we anticipate doing so again,” he said.
Baxter was appointed to become the Randolph High School principal by the Randolph Township Schools Board of Education in November. She was chosen from among a field of 30 candidates, Randolph Township school district officials said.
Baxter began her career in the East Hanover Township Public School District as a Spanish and English as a Second Language (ESL) teacher. She was named assistant principal of Princeton High in February 2012, and appointed principal in July 2019 to succeed former Princeton High School Principal Gary Snyder.
Galasso praised Baxter for guiding Princeton High through the initial outbreak of COVID-19 “in uncertain and difficult times with grace, compassion and insight.” She led the high school staff with confidence as it shifted to remote learning, he said.
Working in conjunction with Dean of Students Diana Lygas and other high school staff members, Baxter created the first-ever virtual graduation ceremony for the Princeton High School Class of 2020, Galasso said.
More recently, Baxter worked to enable Princeton High School to open for hybrid learning in October.
Colleagues at Princeton High have praised Baxter for being warm, proactive and a strong advocate for students, Galasso said.
Warren, who is expected to be named as the acting principal, has served as one of three assistant principals at Princeton High for the past seven years. He came to Princeton High School from Hunterdon Central Regional High School, where he was a special education teacher.
“Our primary goal during this transition is to make sure that our high school students receive the traditional, outstanding Princeton High School academic and social experience as they move toward graduation,” Galasso said.
“Mr. Warren will make that a top priority and will continue the innovative and student-centered approach to learning that is a hallmark of a Princeton High School education,” he said.
Galasso said he is confident that Warren will do an “excellent job” with the support of his outstanding administrative team, and that Warren will be a strong advocate for students while continuing to develop relationships with the community.
Warren earned a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Widener University and a master’s degree in special education from The College of New Jersey. He also holds a certificate in educational leadership.
