By David Cruz
Correspondent
When he hired her five years ago, Gov. Chris Christie wanted everyone to know that Cami Anderson had his unbridled support.
“She’s got a blocking back in Trenton that will either lead the way when I need to clear the hole or come up from behind to make sure that nobody’s taking cheap shots,” he said then.
This week the governor — preparing perhaps for a whole different ballgame — announced that his hand-picked superintendent, the one he just re-signed to a three-year deal in February, was out. Her replacement, former Education Department Commissioner and Cami Anderson ally, Chris Cerf.
“Of course, we are very happy to see her go, but it’s not about the person, it’s about the policies,” said Advisory Board member Antoinette Baskerville-Richardson, “so if it comes to fruition that Chris Cerf is appointed the next superintendent, it’s very problematic for us.”
Board members and teachers union officials say they expect a return to local control, a full stop on the “One Newark” reform plan and a return to what they call “community schools,” ending the so-called “open enrollment,” which had some kids getting bused to schools across town. To them Cerf is a non-starter.
“The problem with appointing Christopher Cerf to fill her shoes is that he was her mentor,” noted Newark Teachers Union Vice President John Abeigon. “He was her mentor and is even a truer believer in the types of policies that she was pushing down the throats of Newarkers.”
Adding some concern to some is Mayor Ras Baraka’s curiously muted response to the news that one of the signature goals of his administration — a change in school leadership — had been reached.
“The resignation … is the first of many steps needed to regain local control of Newark Public Schools,” read the statement. “Our ultimate objective is local control of our schools and we will continue to work diligently and fervently towards this end.”
Community activist Donna Jackson says she’s a fan of Mayor Baraka but expressed doubt in his current tone. “I’m just afraid that in his efforts to make relationships with folks that it’s kind of causing him to soft-pedal a bit too much and I think that he needs to be aggressive and there are some areas where he needs to push, knock some doors down, let his voice be heard and represent the people.”
But the mayor sees local control as the big prize here and Cami Anderson’s departure as just one step in that direction. It’s been suggested that his low-key response is an effort to allow the governor to control the narrative now and maybe save face as he prepares for his next political venture.
“It all depends on what the governor sees that he needs to do to improve his image nationally and to show that he can actually work with a variety of people and that’s what needs to happen,” added Baskerville-Richardson. “I mean, if I was him, that’s what I would do. I would give local control back to Newark and I would show the people of the United States that I’m willing to work not only for just certain segments of the community but I’m willing to work with the disenfranchised people also.”
If accepting Chris Cerf is the final toll on the bridge to local control, the mayor seems content to pay it. Board of Ed members and the teachers union, however, appear less inclined to roll out the welcome mat.