PERTH AMBOY – A state administrative law judge this week upheld the city Board of Education’s May 7 vote to place Superintendent of Schools Dr. Janine Walker Caffrey on paid administrative leave.
Administrative Law Judge Ellen Bass’ ruling may be adopted, modified or rejected by state Education Commissioner Chris Cerf.
The board had previously placed Caffrey on paid administrative leave in April, but that action was later overturned by Cerf.
The school board offered a list of nearly two dozen complaints against Caffrey, alleging that she acted inappropriately by failing to consult with the board before speaking with the media and public about issues and failing to seek board approval for significant program changes, among other issues.
Caffrey has characterized the school board’s accusations as “baseless charges” and claims that the majority of its members have “engaged in incredibly unethical behavior.”
Caffrey continues on as the school district’s superintendent until the matter is resolved.
Donna Chiera, president of Perth Amboy Federation/AFT, called the first day of school “pure chaos” in some buildings, claiming that hundreds of students did not have schedules and that some teachers did not receive class assignments until two days before school opened.
