Superintendent Cami Anderson Calls It Quits In Newark

After four years as superintendent of the Newark Public Schools, Cami Anderson is calling it quits.

The embattled superintendent – a Chris Christie appointee - announced her resignation on Monday, effective on July 8.

A press release announcing Anderson’s resignation offered no reason for Anderson’s departure.

Commissioner of Education David Hespe stated that she had “worked tirelessly over the last four years to implement a bold educational vision for the students and parents of Newark.”

Hespe touted Anderson’s “positive educational reforms,” such as signing a “landmark” teacher’s contract and implementing the “One Newark” plan.

But Anderson’s career in Newark has been riddled with controversy, according to the Huffington Post.

“She has weathered numerous protests and sit-ins from students, opposition from local clergy members and the election of Newark Mayor Ras Baraka, who has been deeply critical of the superintendent’s performance,” the Post stated.

The New York Times called Anderson a “a lightning rod in the debate over education reform in New Jersey,” and stated that her One Newark plan resulted in “school closings, mass firings of teachers and principals, and more students in charter schools.”

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THE REPLACEMENT

In a release, Hespe stated that he planned to recommend Chris Cerf, a former New Jersey Commissioner of Education in the Christie administration, to replace Anderson.

According to the release:

“[Cerf] has comprehensive experience in large city school leadership positions having served as Deputy Chancellor of the New York City Department of Education during the Bloomberg Administration. During his career, Cerf has also served as Associate Counsel to President Bill Clinton and Law Clerk to Justice Sandra Day O’Connor. He has also taught high school history for four years. He most recently served as CEO of Amplify Insight.”