Marion Alexander Bolden

Feb 24, 2022

in 1930-1959 (Born), African Americans, Born or raised in Newark (high school or before), Education, Museums and Libraries

1946-

Marion Bolden was superintendent of the Newark Public Schools from 1999-2008. In 2009, Marion founded the Newark Public Schools Historical Preservation Committee, to preserve Newark school history.

Marion was born in Newark and is a graduate of South Side High School, where she was president of the National Honor Society and Clinton Place Jr. High, where she was Class President. As a child she lived at 127 Ridgewood Ave (1950). She attended Montclair State University.

Marion taught math at Barringer for 14 years. She then became Chair of Math at Arts for 6 years, followed by the Director of Math for NPS (1989-1994) and an Assistant Superintendent (1994-1999). When appointed superintendent she said, “Because I was born in Newark and raised in Newark and work in Newark I feel very good that I am in a position of leadership to work with the community and the schools and the administration, to make things better.”

Now retired, Marion is a lifelong member of the national NAACP and the National Alliance of Black School Educators. She has served on the Boards of Newark Symphony Hall, Essex County College, the Newark Urban Debate League, the Newark Landmarks and Preservation Committee, the Newark History Society and the Greater Newark Conservancy.

A student center in the North Ward has been named in her honor.