Christie to Newark: We run the school district
Video: Gov. Christie vows to reappoint Cami Anderson to head Newark schoolsNew Jersey Gov. Chris Christie said he will re-appoint Cami Anderson to head the state-run Newark school district despite community criticism of the job she's doing saying, 'I don't care about community criticism, I care about the job she's doing.' Christie's comments came during a press conference to mark the re-opening of the grade school in Beach Haven, NJ that was closed last year due to damage from Hurricane Sandy. (Video by Brian Donohue/The Star-Ledger)
NEWARK — Gov. Chris Christie plans to reappoint Newark School Superintendent Cami Anderson to another term.
And if some in the city don’t like it, too bad.
During a public appearance Wednesday at a school in Beach Haven, Christie was asked whether he and Education Commissioner Christopher Cerf plan to renew Anderson’s contract, given the level of criticism from the Newark community, about the job she’s doing.
"Yes we do, and we’re going to renew it because she’s done a great job, and I don’t care about the community criticism," Christie said. "We run the school district in Newark, not them."
Anderson was appointed superintendent in 2011, and has made big changes since then. She has closed schools, replaced principals and brokered a landmark teachers contract that offers bonuses to top teachers for the first time.
She has weathered hostile crowds at public meetings, and "no-confidence" votes from the city’s school board and municipal council, but also has received support from some city clergy, and from parents and teachers who said schools have improved.
Anderson has repeatedly said she believes it is critical to engage and work with the community, regardless of who is in charge.
Some community activists in Newark, including three candidates running for the