Interim Schools Superintendent Named As Jersey City Schools Reopen On-Site

JERSEY CITY, NJ — As students and staff in Jersey City returned to school buildings this week after two weeks of remote learning, they did so under a new interim superintendent. The Board of Education has appointed Deputy Superintendent Dr. Norma Fernandez as interim superintendent until they find a permanent superintendent.

NJ.com reported that Fernandez, 62, may stay in the position for at least a year.

Superintendent Franklin Walker had retired on Dec. 31, 2021 after 48 years in the district.

Interim Superintendent Fernandez said in a message on Sunday that schools would reopen on Tuesday for on-site education.

Fernandez had announced in a video message a week earlier that schools would be remote for one more week, due to 224 students and numerous staff members testing positive for the virus.

"Our staff wants to work," Fernandez said at the time, "but their health prevents them from coming in ... We want our students to go back to classes with healthy teachers."

After that, she said, the district would announce schedules for returning in person and try to apply measures such as "test to stay." Students will be tested weekly, as well.

"On January 18, Tuesday, everyone, students and staff, will be present at our schools," she said at the time.

Watch Dr. Fernandez's video message here.

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