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The search for a high school principal in Asbury Park will continue, as board members did not approve the appointee recommended by Superintendent Denise Lowe [above, right]. That was the second time board members overruled Lowe on a personnel matter during Wednesday’s meeting, as they also voted to keep a teacher Lowe had recommended they terminate.

Lowe recommended Dr. Charles Cunningham for the position at a salary rate of $124,728, effective May 30 of this year through June 30, 2013. During the vote on that agenda item, three board members — Angela Ahbez-Anderson, Gerard Dalton and Barbara Lesinski — abstained. Gregory Brewington, Shelia Brazile and Kevin Michel voted in favor of the appointment and Rev. Geneva Smallwood voted against it. The motion did not carry due to lack of quorum.

The district had five applicants for the position and interviewed two of them, officials said. The job opening was advertised on the school website and in the Asbury Park Press newspaper for one month.

“The fact that we only had five applicants tells me we didn’t recruit widely enough,” city resident Nora Hyland said.

An English teacher from Asbury Park’s Alternative School who also works as a liaison to the state courts said she has worked with Cunningham.

“Dr. Cunningham has been and is functioning as a principal in [Titusville Academy] for nine years,” she said. “He is a fine candidate to come to Asbury Park.”

Titusville Academy serves the needs of students with learning and behavioral difficulties, according to its website. The site lists Pedro Samuel as principal of the school. Samuel declined to comment as to whether Cunningham is still employed there. Asbury Park Sun is awaiting a call back from another representative of that school.

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