As Charles Ezell watched from the audience, the Caldwell West Caldwell Board of Education (BOE) unanimously approved his appointment as the new vice principal at James Caldwell High School.

Ezell replaces James "Jim" Brown who was appointed at a previous board of education meeting to become the new principal at Grover Cleveland Middle School. 

Ezell, a Maplewood resident and currently a history teacher at Orange High School, called the Caldwell-West Caldwell school district a "tight-knit community". 

"People here are focused on the success of the children. Everyone I have met is very friendly and inviting.  I am excited to be here," Ezell added.

Ezell's appointment as vice principal will begin once he is released from his contract with the Orange School district.  The Board approved his appointment at an annual salary of $90,000, to be prorated once his term begins.

Ezell received his bachelor's degree from Rutgers University in 1999 with a dual major in history and philosophy and earned his masters degree in Educational Leadership from the College of St. Elizabeth this past year.

Before beginning his teaching career, Ezell served eight years in the US Army and National Guard.  While in the Army, Ezell served as a paratrooper on special operations teams.

In addition to his teaching responsibilities at Orange High School, Ezell also ran the school's Peer Group Connection and ran a cross curriculum thematic planning group for over 20 teachers.

Ezell was elected by other teachers to the school's management team.  In 2006 he was honored as the Orange District's Outstanding Teacher of the Year.