Newark Schools Chief Cami Anderson to Step Down in July

Newark Superintendent Cami Anderson is stepping down after a tumultuous tenure leading New Jersey's largest school district since her appointment by the state in 2011, officials said Monday.

"Under Cami's leadership, the Newark school district signed a landmark teacher's contract, implemented One Newark, and increased flexibility and support in virtually every school in Newark," New Jersey Commissioner of Education David Hespe said in a statement. .

Her last day will be July 8.   State education officials will recommend that Chris Cerf, a former education official in the Christie administration, replace Anderson.

Gov. Chris Christie appointed Cami Anderson superintendent in 2011. Since then parents students have criticized her One Newark plan, which includes a universal enrollment scheme. State lawmakers have unleashed heated criticism of Anderson including calls for her to step down

“It’s been a troubling and difficult last several years under Cami Anderson for families, students and faculty," Sen. M. Theresa Ruiz, the Essex County Democrat who chair the senate's education committee, said in a statement. "Her departure is long overdue." 

In recent months, students have led sit-ins and marches in the streets to protest the administration.  A union official representing Newark teachers called for state and federal authorities to investigate "wrong doing" in the district.

"Good riddance," John M. Abeigon, the Director of Organizing for the Newark Teachers Union. "The damage she has done to children, parents and dedicated employees in this city is quantifiable and must now be reversed. "

Before leading Newark schools, Anderson served as superintendent of Alternative High Schools and Programming for the New York City Board of Education. She is a former executive director of Teach For America, which recruits teachers to work in urban schools.

Anderson has close ties to former Mayor Cory Booker. She was an adviser to Booker in his first campaign for mayor in 2002.

Anderson has declined to comment. 

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