Principal Wendy O'Neal, pictured at the high school in 2023, will be out of work for an unknown amount of time.
Ocean City High School’s principal has been replaced on a temporary basis while she recovers from serious injuries suffered in a head-on car crash last week, the school district said.
Wendy O’Neal, who has been high school principal since 2023, suffered injuries to her legs and upper body in the Jan. 8 accident in Manchester Township, Ocean County, police said.
O’Neal’s car was struck head-on by another car that crossed over the center line on Route 539, police said. Both O’Neal, 54, who lives in Hamilton, and the other driver, Troy Sullivan, 62, of Absecon, were transported by medical helicopter to Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune, according to the police report.
The school district’s administration confirmed in a Jan. 10 letter to the high school community that O’Neal had been in a serious accident.
“While we are deeply concerned for her well-being, we ask for your understanding and respect regarding her privacy during this time,” the letter said.
“Moving forward, our dedicated administrative team is working collaboratively to ensure the smooth operation of the school. We are committed to maintaining a supportive and stable environment for all students and staff,” the letter added.
There was no indication of how long O’Neal might be out of work while she recovers.
“We’re trying to respect her privacy and family and give her the time to recover, and we look forward to getting her back,” school district Administrator Tim Kelley said Wednesday while declining further comment.
Principal Wendy O'Neal addresses the Ocean City High School graduates during the 2023 commencement ceremony.In a letter Tuesday, School Superintendent Dr. Christian Angelillo announced that Curt Nath, the district’s director of academic services, will serve as acting high school principal until O’Neal returns.
“Dr. Nath has a strong history in Ocean City and remains committed to the success of our students and staff and I am confident that his leadership will provide stability and support during this period,” Angelillo wrote.
Jerry Brown and Nicholas Bailey will continue in their roles as the high school’s assistant principals.
“Their dedication and collaboration during this time have been unwavering and their support is invaluable to our success,” Angelillo said of Brown and Bailey.
Angelillo began his letter by extending the school district’s thoughts and prayers to O’Neal while she recovers.
After serving as interim principal for a year, O’Neal was named principal in 2023 at a salary of $143,000.
O’Neal started in the Ocean City school district in 2015 in the role of assistant high school principal before becoming interim principal in the spring of 2022 after the retirement of her predecessor, Matthew Jamison.
When O’Neal was named principal, the members of the Board of Education spoke of how she has led the district during difficult times through the COVID-19 pandemic and has been a source of stability.
“I have never heard a student in all the interactions speak negatively of Dr. O’Neal, and I think when you have that type of support, it really speaks to who you are,” former school board president Patrick Kane said while congratulating O’Neal on her appointment as principal.
