Five Camden elected officials want the acting New Jersey Commissioner of Education to drop Katrina McCombs as the city’s superintendent of schools, saying the city “would benefit from new leadership.”
“While we recognize and appreciate the efforts Superintendent McCombs has
made during her tenure, we believe that a fresh direction is necessary to fully address the
evolving needs of our students and educators,” said State Sen. Nilsa Cruz-Perez, Assemblyman William Spearman, Mayor Victor Carstarphen, City Council President Angel Fuentes, and Board of Education President N’Namdee Nelson.
The decision to retain or release McCombs wrests with Kevin Dehmer, who was named acting Education commission in January after Angelica Allen-McMillan retired. Gov. Phil Murphy nominated him in March, but the Senate has not moved to confirm him.
“Camden City is experiencing significant growth and opportunity, and we feel that this momentum requires a new vision in leadership to guide our school district toward the best possible student educational outcomes,” the political leaders told Dehmer. “A change in leadership will better position our schools to thrive and serve the diverse needs of our community.”
They offered to meet with Dehmer to discuss a path forward for Camden schools. Until state control of the city’s public schools ends, the Education commissioner has the authority to pick the superintendent.
In September, McCombs sought the resignation of Wasim Muhammad, the school advisory board president, after his former student alleged that he sexually assaulted her thirty years ago when he was her teacher.
“If the Camden City School District is to be shepherded into sustainable local control, its primary and laser-like focus must remain on the education and well-being of our students,” she said in a letter. “It is important that the business of the district proceeds without further disruption.”