Dr. Jamil Maroun- Superintendent of Schools

Dr. Jamil Maroun is a dynamic and visionary educational leader who has proudly served the Manville School District since 2016—first as Principal of Roosevelt School, then as Assistant Superintendent, and now as Superintendent. A passionate advocate for equity, innovation, and student success, Dr. Maroun leads with the belief that Every child, Every day deserves the opportunity to thrive.

Since becoming Superintendent, Dr. Maroun has led a period of remarkable growth and transformation across the district. He has advanced the district’s mission by expanding access to free, full-day preschool for over 160 students annually, launching a districtwide 1:1 technology initiative, and creating a comprehensive K–12 STEM pathway with focus areas in mechanical, computer, audio, and visual engineering. Through two successfully passed zero-tax-impact referendums totaling $12 million, he helped secure nearly $6 million in additional state aid to support critical capital projects, HVAC upgrades, and security enhancements—while also overseeing the purchase and renovation of a new district office to improve operational efficiency and reclaim valuable classroom space.

Dr. Maroun has deepened partnerships with local organizations, including RVCC, The Jointure, Middle Earth, and athletic mentor programs like Dutch Total Soccer and Go Beyond Basketball, broadening student access to academic, social-emotional, and extracurricular opportunities. Under his leadership, Manville has expanded its athletics and activities offerings, introducing programs such as golf and flag football, while also launching initiatives that improve classroom instruction and student support. These include high-intensity tutoring in ELA and math, targeted interventions, and the districtwide use of instructional data platforms such as LinkIt. He has championed meaningful, research-based professional development for teachers and administrators, including Orton-Gillingham training, Sheltered Instruction Observation Protocol (SiOP), and inclusive teaching practices.

In early childhood education, Dr. Maroun has prioritized data-driven strategies to strengthen kindergarten readiness and early intervention efforts. As a result, the district now boasts a 74% preschool enrollment rate for incoming kindergarteners, reduced classification rates, improved WIDA outcomes for multilingual learners, and lower chronic absenteeism among students with preschool experience. His commitment to maximizing learning conditions has also led to districtwide efforts to reduce classroom distractions, including consistent procedures to reduce the use of cell phones in the classroom, revised daily schedules, additional hall monitors, flexible furniture upgrades, and structured study environments designed to promote focus.

Dr. Maroun is deeply committed to cultivating meaningful, high-impact professional learning experiences for staff. He re-launched the district’s Insight Conference, drawing hundreds of educators and over 80 presenters from across the region. His leadership and advocacy have also elevated Manville’s visibility, attracting visits from U.S. Senator Cory Booker and State Senators Andrew Zwicker and Doug Steinhardt, who toured the district to witness its inclusive, student-centered approach firsthand. His research on assessment and equity—The Pernicious Predictability of State-Mandated Tests of Academic Achievement in the United States—was featured in Forbes, contributing to the national conversation around standardized testing.

At the state and national levels, Dr. Maroun was selected as a 2024–25 Fulbright Global Scholar, serves as Co-Chair of the NJASA Government Relations Committee, and is Vice President of Great Schools New Jersey. In these roles, he advocates for educational equity, policy reform, certification modernization, and facilities funding. He is also a former ASCD Emerging Leader, a member of the NJASCD Executive Board, and co-founder and mentor of the Somerset County Future Administrators PLC.

Prior to his work in Manville, Dr. Maroun served as Supervisor of Science, Social Studies, and Library/Media Services in North Plainfield, where he led curriculum redesign, expanded AP and CTE opportunities, and implemented the Next Generation Science Standards. He began his career as a Social Studies teacher at Sayreville War Memorial High School. He holds a B.A. in History and Political Science from Alvernia University, an M.A. in Administration and Supervision from Saint Peter’s University, and an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership from Seton Hall University, where his dissertation explored the influence of community demographics on student achievement in standardized assessments.

Dr. Maroun brings both bold vision and grounded compassion to his work. He believes that great schools are built through deep community partnerships, strong leadership at every level, and a relentless focus on opportunity, inclusion, and purpose.

Most importantly, he is married to Lisa, a high school teacher in Hazlet, NJ, and they have two sons Nassif and Savino.  

Kelli Eppley- Assistant Superintendent of Schools

Kelli Eppley serves as the Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction for the Manville School District. With over
25 years of experience in education, she has held a wide range of roles including elementary school teacher, curriculum supervisor, elementary principal, and district administrator. Her work has spanned both large and small districts, primarily in urban settings, bringing a deep understanding of diverse student and community needs.

In her current role, Ms. Eppley oversees curriculum development, instructional practices, assessment, and professional learning. She is committed to advancing student achievement by supporting high-quality teaching and fostering a culture of continuous improvement. Her professional interests include providing inclusive opportunities for all learners, data driven instruction, student and staff mental health, and mentoring teachers and leaders. 

Outside of work, Ms. Eppley is currently pursuing her doctoral degree at Rowan University.  She lives with her husband Paul, her son Ian, and their dog, Lily. 

April 24, 2024 Superintendent Report-
Budget Hearing

Manville ARP-ESSER Use of Funds

NJ 2024 School Funding Figures