A sickening story from Jersey City, told by DFER NJ’s head Kathleen Nugent:

 

This is just unbelievable… while you were doing your ed reform presentation in Jersey City's City Hall a few weeks ago with Steve Fulop, Shelley Skinner, and 150 attendees, the Jersey City BOE renewed Superintendant Epps' contract.  There was NO appropriate public notice, which is required by law.  No mention to stakeholders that this critical issue of renewal would come up.  It was a sketchy, "worst of Jersey politics" move taking advantage of the fact that many of the people who would oppose the renewal were distracted blocks away in City Hall.  I mean, really… you can't make this up.

 

Clearly, the BOE's actions can't be legal.  The state is involved and Steve Fulop and Shelley Skinner have – in just 24 hours – already collected 1,600 signatures via an online petition in protest.  The comments in support of Epps are incredibly disheartening.  According to statements, Epps' merits largely revolve around his constant presence and visibility around Jersey City.  While that may be a positive attribute, currently 35 of Jersey City's 40 schools are on the state's list of failing schools.  Student achievement, accountability… how are these not leading factors when considering a leader of schools?  

 

Here are a few articles detailing the situation: 

 

http://www.njspotlight.com/stories/10/0630/2018/

http://www.jerseycityindependent.com/2010/06/23/boe-report-studentteacher-achievement-epps-contract-and-more/

http://www.nj.com/hudson/index.ssf/2010/07/jersey_city_councilman_leads_p.html

  

It is heartbreaking when kids lose out to adult interests and politics.  Hopefully we will have a good resolution soon.