Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Board Actions topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
State Board appoints new Katzenbach superintendent, certifies 35 districts and names special-education advisory members
Summary
The New Jersey State Board of Education approved Rasheeda Garcia as superintendent of the Katzenbach School for the Deaf (motion carried with one abstention), accepted certification recommendations for 35 school districts from county executive superintendents, and approved four appointments to the State Special Education Advisory Council.
The New Jersey State Board of Education on Wednesday approved three personnel items brought by the Commissioner and staff: the appointment of Rasheeda Garcia as Superintendent of the Katzenbach School for the Deaf, certification of 35 school districts following county reviews, and four new appointments to the State Special Education Advisory Council.
Commissioner Damer presented Rasheeda Garcia as the candidate for superintendent of the Katzenbach School for the Deaf, a position that reports to the Commissioner of Education. The board moved and seconded the appointment; the motion carried with one abstention. President Goldenberg noted the board had met with the candidate in executive session.
Assistant Commissioner Ambrose reported executive county superintendents finalized reviews that led to 35 districts being recommended for certification; 50 reviews were completed, with 35 recommended for certification and others continuing work on instructional and program areas. Ambrose read the list of certified districts (a list provided in the meeting packet) and said common weaknesses among noncertified districts related to English language arts and mathematics performance; the board voted to accept certification of the 35 districts and the motion carried.
On special education, the Commissioner presented a resolution to appoint four new members to the New Jersey State Special Education Advisory Council, which the state must establish under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act to provide input on special education services. The board approved the appointment of Joshua Carlani, Carrie Walsafer, Lori Lopez and Christina Baddeato; a question was raised about how many appointees are parents and the meeting record noted the council is intended to reflect demographic diversity.
All three items were approved by the board during the open session; the meeting then adjourned so members could complete required professional development. The board indicated open-topic public testimony would be held later at 1:00 p.m.
