For the past 23 years, James Gleason has began every autumn ready to start a new school year as the principal of Communications High School. This September marks the last year he will hold that title. According to a statement sent out on Tuesday, Aug. 15, Gleason is set to retire on Jan. 1, 2024.
“After 32 years of working in education for the Monmouth County Vocational School District I have made the decision to retire effective January 1,” Gleason wrote. “I am looking forward to the start of this school year and providing a smooth transition for the staff, students and the next principal.”
The announcement is the most recent in a barrage of retirements that have greatly changed the CHS landscape and leaves only two founding staff members with history teacher Sharyn O’Keefe and head custodian Ray Petersen.
His retirement came as a shock not only to the CHS community but to High Technology High School and the Academy of Allied Health and Science where he also taught.
“I was a technology teacher at both schools,” Gleason said. Confirmation has yet to be given to students as to who will replace Gleason as the next CHS principal, but students can rest that the application process was vigorous and students’ needs were at the forefront of the panel’s mind.
“I have a lot of confidence in handing the school off to another administrator,” Gleason said. “It’ll be fun to see what happens with Communications High School in the future.”
