By Donald Gilpin

Jared Warren

Jared Warren, assistant principal at Princeton High School (PHS) for the last seven years, will be recommended at the December 15 Princeton Public Schools (PPS) Board of Education (BOE) meeting to become PHS acting principal on January 15. Warren will take over from Jessica Baxter, who announced her resignation last month.

A special education teacher at Hunterdon Central Regional High School before coming to PHS, Warren has a B.A. in criminal justice from Widener University and a master’s degree in special education, as well as a certification in educational leadership, from The College of New Jersey.

“I am confident that Mr. Warren will do an excellent job with the support of his outstanding administrative team,” Galasso wrote in an email announcing his recommendation to PPS parents and staff on Monday. “I am confident he will be a strong advocate for students and will continue to develop relationships with the community.”

Emphasizing the goal of maintaining “the traditional, outstanding Princeton High School academic and social experience” during this transition period, Galasso continued, “Mr. Warren will make that a top priority and will continue the innovative and student-centered approach to learning that is a hallmark of Princeton High School education.”

Warren, who has been in charge of facilities at PHS and is currently in charge of the peer leadership groups, has “a great working knowledge of the students, which is very important,” Galasso said in a phone conversation Tuesday. “He also has significant understanding of the traditions and protocols of the school and a good relationship with faculty and staff, which should serve him well in the months ahead.”

Galasso added that at the December 15 BOE meeting he would be discussing the formal process and criteria for selecting a permanent principal for PHS. He suggested that the process should be complete and the new principal in place by July 2021.

Baxter, who was assistant principal for seven years at PHS before becoming principal in the fall of 2019, will be taking over the principal position at Randolph
High School in Northern New Jersey next month, in a district closer to her home.

Baxter “presided over the high school in uncertain and difficult times with grace, compassion, and insight,” said Galasso. She led the PHS staff of more than 200 through last March’s abrupt shift to remote learning, collaborated in the creation of the first-ever virtual graduation for PHS students, and led the PHS phased-in hybrid opening in October.

“She received much gratitude from students and parents of 2020 graduates for her tireless work on their behalf,” Galasso wrote. “Colleagues at the high school praise Ms. Baxter for being warm, proactive, and a strong advocate for students.”