Gloucester City Public Schools

1300 Market Street Gloucester City, NJ 08030 (856) 456-7000

Sean Gorman, Superintendent of Schools

Dear Parents, Guardians, and Staff,

(GLOUCESTER CITY, NJ)(CNBNews) (July 1st, 2021)–Today is my first official day as Superintendent of Gloucester City School District. I couldn’t be more honored and excited. I entered Gloucester City Schools as a kindergarten student in 1985 and graduated from Gloucester High School in 1998. I was thrilled to return to GHS for my professional career in 2002 and have served as a Special Education teacher, guidance counselor, athletic coach, Director of Guidance, and Principal. I’ve proudly resided in Gloucester my entire life and have three children of my own and nieces and nephews enrolled at all three of our district schools. I have the unique and invaluable perspective of asking myself each day: am I the school leader that I would want for my own children and family? This lens has guided me well in all of my professional roles and is shared by so many of the outstanding, dedicated professionals that I consider myself very lucky to work alongside for nearly 20 years. This deeply entrenched commitment of all staff, students, families, and community members to each other will remain a driving force throughout our school district.

Continue reading “CNBNews Archives: July 2021 Sean Gorman Named Gloucester City Public School Supt.” →

Republished July 5, 2026

(Cleary’s Notebook News)(July 4, 2026)–Gloucester City Mayor William James released his annual ”State of the City Address” on January 9, 2015. James, who ran unopposed in November 2014, begun his third term in office in 2015. He was first elected mayor in 2007. The mayor of Gloucester City serves a term of four years, while a council member’s term is for three years.  Mr. James died suddenly on January 21, 2019. He was 62 years old.

RELATED: William James obituary

As a former Deputy Police Chief, one has to wonder what James would think if he were alive today about the present police chief, Brian Morrell, also performing the duties of the City Administrator. Both the police chief’s position and the city administrator’s position were full-time jobs during the 12 years he was mayor. In fact, for decades, those positions were always held by one person.

Not long after Police Chief Morrell was appointed part-time City Administrator, the City Board of Education appointed School Superintendent Sean Gorman to perform the duties of high school principal.

Are taxpayers saving any money by having one person do two jobs?

When a city allows one person to hold two positions — like Police Chief Brian Morrell also serving as Acting City Administrator, or School Superintendent Sean Gorman doubling as high school principal— the theoretical argument is that taxpayers save money by avoiding a second full-time salary and benefits package.

However, the real savings depend on:

• 💰 Whether stipends or bonuses are paid for the additional duties. If either receives extra compensation, the savings shrink or vanish.
• 🕒 Workload and efficiency. Two demanding jobs can dilute oversight, leading to slower responses or costly mistakes that offset any payroll savings.
• 📊 Budget transparency. The city or school district should publish salary breakdowns and administrative cost comparisons to prove the savings are genuine.

In many New Jersey municipalities, dual appointments are justified as “temporary” measures but often become long-term arrangements — which raises questions about whether taxpayers are truly getting value or just less accountability.

Mayor James 2015 STATE OF THE CITY ADDRESS IS BELOW.

Continue reading “CNBNews Archives: Mayor James 2015 State of City Address; What Would “Hawker” Think?” →