Jersey City Superintendent of Schools Dr. Norma Fernandez is touting the New Jersey Department of Education sustaining 36 of 42 charges against former Business Administrator Dr. Regina Robinson.
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
“Her behavior really was unbecoming, they were the types of behaviors that allow the public to think that public education and public service are not doing our due diligence and we are. I took on this big challenge, I went against the current, I presented, I persevered,” Fernandez told HCV over the phone today.
“The board wanted more information, I was steadfast, I did the work, and made sure we got this done. It pays to do the right thing. You have to stand up to corruption and negligence, and while it’s not criminal, it is such a shame that we had to spend money on this versus educating children.”
Robinson, who had been on paid leave since her contract was not renewed in May 2022, avoided 23 tenure charges brought up by Fernandez two months later (the board voted against them 5-4).
The schools chief took her grievances to Trenton in March 2024 and was shortly thereafter able to convince the board to vote in favor of presenting 42 tenure charges, including official misconduct and derelict of duty, to the NJ DOE.
Robinson also had a discrimination and retaliation lawsuit dismissed in Hudson County Superior Court in August 2024.
“I was thrilled, it was such a relief. The decision we made as a district and a board was the right decision,” Fernandez continued.
“We were going to have relief and be able to move on and do the right thing for out students. It was a relief to be vindicated. There were so many issues with Ms. Robinson over the years.”
For example, fines and liens against the district from the IRS totaled $14.5 million during her tenure, according to Fernandez.
While the district will not be receiving any compensation, the superintendent said she was gratified by the fact that they will no longer have to pay her salary or legal fees.
Additionally, Fernandez said a job posting is out for a new business administrator and she is hopeful the board will vote on an applicant in June. For the time being, Dr. Francine Luce is the acting school business administrator.
A spokesman for the DOE said they were unable to immediately comment, while a cell phone number previously used by Robinson was disconnected.
