Arrington allowed a moment of silence every day in Woodbury's schools, even after coming under fire from the courts.
BERLIN -- Claudio "Ed" Arrington, a longtime educator who served as superintendent of the Woodbury school district, died Feb. 13. He was 87.
Claudio "Ed" Arrington died Feb. 13, 2016 at age 87 (photo provided). Arrington had a combined total of more than 30 years of experience in education, having begun his career in the Berlin school district in 1955 after leaving the Marines. He also worked in Washington Township, Westville and Voorhees before joining the Woodbury district in 1975.
Arrington's most notable accomplishment during his time in Woodbury was his defense of the school district's daily moment of silence.
The city's schools had long started each day with a moment of private reflection for students. When a court ruled in 1985 that a New Jersey state law allowing for a moment of silence had a "religious purpose," Woodbury was ordered to stop the practice. Arrington kept the moment of silence in place, telling the Philadelphia Inquirer in 1986 that he had no intention of backing down.
"Our situation has not changed," he said to the Inquirer. ""Unlike the state law, our (moment of silence) policy was never religious in its intent. We were never part of the state's suit and we will continue our moment of silence."
Joseph Jones III, Woodbury's current superintendent, was first hired by Arrington. Several faculty and staff members have been with the district long enough to remember his time in charge.
"They went toe to toe with the state at the time, and they were victorious," said Jones of the battle for the moment of silence. "We do that right to this day. It's part of our tradition and history."
Arrington's son, Ed Arrington, said his father never stopped thinking about Woodbury, even though he worked as an interim in superintendent for several districts after retiring in 1988.
"He was passionate about furthering the education of all of the students in his district," said the younger Arrington, an Army physician in Seattle, "from those who had instant success to those who struggled."
Besides being an educator, said Ed Arrington, the superintendent was immensely supportive of his own children.
"He was an excellent role model for me, my sisters and my children. Throughout my high school and college athletic career, despite the requirements of his job as superintendent, he also followed me in my athletic career at Highland (Regional High School) and in college."
Arrington's wife, Betty Lou Arrington, said she and her husband had traveled extensively together after his retirement. Still, he would sometimes attend Woodbury games, cheering for his old school.
"He was very Woodbury," she said. Later on, she added, "family was very important to him -- all the children and grandchildren."
Arrington prepared the details of own obituary, his son pointed out. Just a paragraph long, it reveals that the educator never stopped thinking of Woodbury.
"He told me 25 years ago he didn't want any flowers at his funeral," said the younger Arrington, an Army physician in Seattle. "He asked for donations to go to the scholarship fund at Woodbury. I thought it was fascinating that he would choose them over anything else. I thought that spoke volumes of him, despite the fact that he hasn't been there in 25 years. He still considered that worthwhile."
Memorial donations can be made in Arrington's name to the Woodbury High School Scholarship Fund, care of Costantino Funeral Home, 231 W. White Horse Pike Berlin, NJ 08009.
Andy Polhamus may be reached at apolhamus@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @ajpolhamus. Find the South Jersey Times on Facebook.