CHS Principal: Threat Made to Staff Members

Kirk E. Smith, the interim principal of Columbia High School in Maplewood, sent the following letter to parents on Monday after 4:00pm:

"Shortly before dismissal I was made aware of an unsubstantiated comment involving a threat to staff members at CHS. This comment was very vague and most likely not real. However; in today's world I must take comments very seriously. I am currently working with the Maplewood Police Department to make the last two school days safe for students and staff. I deeply regret that this matter has occurred given the great school year that we have had. Thank you."

This story will be updated later today.

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Maplewood Company Cited by OSHA

A Maplewood bottling company was cited by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. NJ.com reports that Maplewood Beverage Packers, LLC received over 20 violations, totaling over $175,000 in fines. Maplewood Beverage Packers is located in the Olympic Industrial Park on Camptown Road, and bottles and distributes Arizona Iced Tea products.

The Maplewood Township Committee approved a proposal to connect two parking lots in Maplewood Village. The Village Green reports that the parking lot of the former Maplewood Women's Club building, now known as The Woodland, will be connected with a parking lot on Highland Place, creating eight new parking spaces. An original plan called for approximately 30 parking spaces, however that plan was met with opposition because it would have required removal of trees. In an email to Essex County Place, resident Jonathan Poor, who advocated against the original plan, called the vote a "sensible decision".

If the South Orange Maplewood School District Board of Education needs to consult with current SOMSD superintendent Dr. Brian Osborne in July regarding the transition to an interim or acting superintendent, Osborne will be paid $740 per day. Earlier this month, it was announced that Osborne will be leaving SOMSD on June 30 for the New Rochelle School District in Westchester County, NY  .

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Elizabeth Aaron Selected as New CHS Principal

Elizabeth Aaron, a current assistant principal at Columbia High School in Maplewood, has been unanimously selected to become the principal of the school by the South Orange Maplewood Board of Education. According to the SOMSD, Aaron will start her new role on July 1st. Kirk E. Smith, who is currently the interim principal at the school, will retire from the SOMSD on June 30th. Smith had been named interim principal after the retirement of Dr. Lovie Lilly.

Aaron was not immediately available for comment.