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Frank Napier
Born(1935-08-08)August 8, 1935
DiedOctober 28, 2002(2002-10-28) (aged 67)
NationalityAmerican
Occupation Superintendent
Known for1989 film Lean on Me

Frank Napier Jr. [1] (August 8, 1935 [1] – October 28, 2002) [2] was an American former superintendent of the Paterson School District in Paterson, New Jersey. [3] [4] [5] In the 1980s, he received national recognition as superintendent through Joe Louis Clark, the notable and controversial former principal of Eastside High School. It was Napier who asked Clark to be the principal of Eastside High. [6] Napier was portrayed by Robert Guillaume in the 1989 film, Lean on Me. [7] [8] [9]

Biography

Napier graduated from Paterson Central High School (since renamed as John F. Kennedy High School) in 1953. [1] He earned his Bachelor of Science and Master of Arts degrees from William Paterson University and the University of Massachusetts Amherst conferred a Doctorate of Education degree upon him. [1] Napier began his professional career in the Paterson school system as an elementary school teacher and coach. He was later a vice principal and then a principal. [1] In 1972, Napier was appointed Assistant Superintendent of the Paterson school district. [1] In 1976, he became the first African-American to be superintendent of the Paterson school district. [1] [2] He was ousted as superintendent in 1991. [2]

He served as an adjunct professor at William Paterson University. [1] He was also a counselor for the Passaic County Community College EOF Program. [1] Napier was a member of the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development. [1] He was also a member of the William Paterson College Alumni Association. [1] Napier was also a life member of the Paterson branch of the NAACP and the District Chairman of the Passaic Boy Scouts of America. [1]

Napier was Baptist. [1] He was married to Margaret E. Nottingham and they had three children: David, Darren and Dina. [1] Napier died on October 28, 2002, at the age of 67. [2] The cause of death was respiratory failure. [2]

There is a school, Dr. Frank Napier, Jr. School of Technology, that is named after him. [10] [11]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n "Rev. Dr. Frank Napier, Jr". Carnie P. Bragg Funeral Homes, Inc. Retrieved 23 May 2016.
  2. ^ a b c d e Cichowski, John (30 October 2002). "Frank Napier, 67; Paterson educator". The Record (Bergen County). Archived from the original on 11 September 2016. Retrieved 23 May 2016.
  3. ^ Lentz, Philip (26 March 1989). "Joe Clark`s Fame Marred By Squabbling, Less-supportive Figures". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved 23 May 2016.
  4. ^ "Tough Principal Joe Clark Is In Another Controversy". Philly.com. 11 March 1989. Retrieved 23 May 2016.
  5. ^ Hanley, Robert (23 March 1990). "New Jersey Acts To Take Over School System". The New York Times. Retrieved 23 May 2016.
  6. ^ Acquaviva, Michael A. (20 March 1990). "Educator's book is a good study in crisis management". Pittsburgh Press. Retrieved 23 May 2016.
  7. ^ Galbraith, Jane (31 January 1989). "Review: 'Lean on Me'". Variety. Retrieved 23 May 2016.
  8. ^ "Morgan Freeman and Robert Guillame star in 'Lean on Me': The story about the controversial high school principal Joe Clark". Baltimore Afro-American. 18 February 1989. Retrieved 23 May 2016.
  9. ^ Miller, Wendy (4 April 1989). "Lean on Me supports Freeman's talent only". Mohave Daily Miner. Retrieved 23 May 2016.
  10. ^ Brody, Leslie (6 January 2013). "Paterson school offers signs of hope in urban school reform". NorthJersey.com. Retrieved 23 May 2016.
  11. ^ Cohen, Noah (15 October 2015). "Paterson elementary school closed Friday following fire". NJ.com. Retrieved 23 May 2016.
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