Montclair School Superintendent Dies; Jonathan Ponds Mourned (UPDATED)

MONTCLAIR, NJ — Montclair is mourning the passing of Jonathan Ponds, superintendent of the local public school district, who died on Friday.

Damen Cooper, the district’s director of secondary education, announced news of Ponds’ passing in an email to the school community:

“It is with a sad and heavy heart that we inform you of the sudden passing of Montclair Public Schools Superintendent, Dr. Jonathan Ponds. We were informed today by his wife that Dr. Ponds passed away this morning. Please join us in extending our heartfelt sympathy and condolences to his family, especially his wife and three sons. Dr. Ponds served the Montclair community as Superintendent for the last four years.”

After he was first appointed to the job in 2020, Ponds lent some much-needed stability to the head of the Montclair Public School District, which saw a steady stream of superintendents over the past few years before he took the helm.

The Montclair Board of Education approved a new five-year contract for Ponds in May. It took effect on July 1 and was slated to run through June 30, 2029.

A fundraiser has been launched in his name, which can be seen here.

SCHOOL BOARD: 'KIND, CARING, THOUGHTFUL'

The school board issued a joint statement about Ponds' passing on Friday:

"The Montclair Board of Education is deeply saddened by the sudden and devastating passing of Dr. Jonathan Ponds. Dr. Ponds gave countless hours of his life to the children of Montclair. He worked tirelessly to improve our schools with the goal of making sure that all the children of Montclair left school with the tools they needed to live lives of independence, fulfillment, happiness and success - however that may have looked for them.

"Dr. Ponds was at his core a kind, caring and thoughtful human being who committed his life to the education of children. We were honored to have had the privilege to have known him and worked with him. He gave so much to our community at great personal sacrifice, never asking for fanfare. No matter what he faced, he always kept going for the good of our district.

"Dr. Ponds always said, 'keep the main thing, the main thing.' And he lived every minute of his tenure here in Montclair personifying that ideal. Every single thought, word, action. It was all always about doing what is best for the students of Montclair. In his memory, the Board of Education will continue this work and honor his legacy. This is a tragic loss for Montclair and the world in so many ways.

"We will be forever grateful for all that he gave to our schools in the four years of his tenure. We have come so far and are committed to continuing this path of progress in his honor. Our deepest condolences to his wife and three sons. Please hold them in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time."

MESSAGES OF MOURNING

Several community leaders have issued messages of mourning in the wake of Ponds' unexpected death.

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