Why did the State take over Camden's public schools? The causes are many, but here's the big one: the state wants to be the one to choose the district's next superintendent. Yesterday Gov. Christie and Education Comm. Chris Cerf came to Camden to break the news.
In fact, the takeover comes just as the Camden Board of Education was getting close to naming a new superintendent. On Saturday The board interviewed five candidates and last night had second interviews for the narrowed field of three. According to the latest news, e board is planning to go forward with its official "Meet and Greet" for the two finalists tonight at 7:30 p.m. at Octavius V. Catto Community School (map).
The state, though, is making it clear that it will have the final say. The first page of the formal "State Intervention Plan for the Camden School District" states, "Upon State intervention, the Commissioner of Education will recommend to the State Board of Education the appointment of a new State district superintendent. The State district superintendent will be appointed for an initial term that will not exceed three years and the costs of his or her salary will be borne by the Camden school district."
Labels: camden, Cerf, Christie, DOE, school boards