Princeton Students, Teachers Concerned As Science Supervisor Departs

PRINCETON, NJ — Students and teachers at Princeton Public Schools told Patch they were “extremely alarmed” and “concerned” about the departure of Science Supervisor Mridula Bajaj.

Bajaj has reportedly taken up a similar position at another school district, after being passed over for an Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction position, students and teachers said.

School community parents have also expressed their concern over Bajaj’s departure. A petition on change.org has called on the Board of Education to explain the recent spate of staff departures.

“With the departure of the excellent science supervisor from the science department of the high school, the preoccupation that the principal could be dismissed, the report that experienced voices in the PHS community are not listened to, we ask the board that the new superintendent come in front of her stakeholder to clearly explain her recent actions and the lack of information to the community,” the petition says.

Bajaj worked closely with students of the high school’s science department, who recently won $110,000 for their school at the 12th annual Samsung Solve for Tomorrow Contest. Read More: Princeton High Students Win $110K For Project Combating Food Waste

The petition calls on Superintendent Carol Kelley to halt "any action that will impact our school community in the short/medium and long term” and ensure “there is no removal of any personnel until Dr. Kelley details the reasons and the goals of such actions.”

The petition asks Kelley to explain to the school community "the loss of important members of PHS - educators, supervisors” and detail her “implementation of the fundamental principle of equity.”

Many parents, students and teachers have written to the board with their concerns. The change.org petition has so far garnered over 650 signatures.

When contacted, Princeton Public Schools said they were "fortunate to have such an active and invested district community, we understand that there may be some disappointment in Mridula Bajaj's departure from Princeton Public Schools. We are grateful for the many years she’s dedicated to impacting the lives of students and the community as the District Supervisor of Professional Development & Assessment and Supervisor of Science (K-12). We respect her decision and wish her the best as she advances in her career."

The petition is the second in recent days after students started an online petition urging Kelley to renew the contract of Principal Frank Chmiel. Students say Kelley has "recommended the termination" of Chmiel's contract for the upcoming school year. Read more: Princeton Students Back Principal After Possible Contract Termination

The school district said all staff contracts are evaluated before the next school year, which was standard procedure. They asked the community to "allow the process to run its course."

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