Middletown Superintendent Walker Quits With 1 Year Left In Contract

MIDDLETOWN, NJ — A lot happened at the most recent Middletown school board meeting, held last Tuesday, June 20:

The biggest story, of course, is that the Middletown school board, in an 8-1 vote, passed a policy that would inform parents if their child seeks to officially go by a different name or gender. Marlboro and Manapalan school boards passed similar policies, and all three districts were sued by the New Jersey Attorney General last week. Gov. Phil Murphy said on his WNYC radio show “Ask the Governor" last week he was “offended” by the three school district's policies, and would be “vigilant to the max in fighting back."

But also at last Tuesday's school board meeting, the resignation was announced of Middletown schools superintendent Mary Ellen Walker.

The announcement comes as a surprise: Walker never said publicly until now that she had plans to walk away. Walker is also quitting the district with one year still left in her contract: Her contract does not expire until the end of the 2023-2024 school year, and will still include an annual 2 percent salary increases.

When asked by Patch, Walker did not answer why she was quitting early.

Middletown school Board president Frank Capone and vice president Jacqueline Tobacco did not answer when Patch asked why Walker was leaving with still one year left in her contract.

Also, Walker will still be paid her $227,000 yearly salary for the remaining time in her contract when she is not working. She accumulated sick and vacation days, so she will be paid out for her sick days for the year she is not working.

Assistant Superintendent Jessica Alfone was appointed as acting Middletown school superintendent. Capone and Tobacco also did not answer when Patch asked what the district will be paying Alfone to serve as acting superintendent.

But another Board member said Alfone's new position as interim superintendent does not come with a salary increase.

Walker is quitting the Middletown school district at a time it has been sued by the state of New Jersey, and could risk a possible loss of state aid or even risk a state takeover due to its controversial transgender student policy, as NJ 101.5 reported.

Last week:

Middletown BOE Approves Controversial Transgender Student Policy (June 21)

NJ Sues Middletown, 2 Other Districts For Transgender Student Policies (June 22)