Newark Teachers Union: Our Bosses Are ‘Unqualified’

NEWARK, NJ — A Newark teachers union wants 11 “high-ranking” school administrators removed from their positions because they allegedly aren’t qualified, a claim that the district superintendent reportedly called “frivolous.”

The Newark Teachers Union (NTU) – which represents 4,000 teachers, school clerks, substitutes and aides in the district – claimed that the 11 administrators were illegally hired because they aren’t certified for their positions in a Thursday declaratory ruling filed with the New Jersey Commissioner of Education.

While he didn't identify the accused administrators, NTU President John Abeigon told NJ.com that none of them are local to Newark and only a handful are from New Jersey.

"There are teachers who have five, 10 years of experience being told what to do and how to manage a classroom by people who don't have a similar experience,” Abeigon asserted.

However, Newark Superintendent Christopher Cerf had harsh words about the validity of the union’s claims.

"As we've seen in the past, rather than spending time and energy on getting a contract negotiated for his members or more resources for children, John Abeigon prefers to use his members' dues to file frivolous lawsuits in order to get his name in the paper,” Cerf said.

Read the full report here.

The union’s claims come as its members continue contract negotiations with the Newark Public School District. Details about the current contract for 2016-2017 can be seen here.

• See related article: N.J.'s Best, Worst Teachers Ranked By School District In Controversial State Review
• See related article: Newark Public Schools Recognizes 'High Performing' Teachers With $1.7M In Bonuses

Patch File Photo: Christopher Cerf

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