Jersey City Ward E Councilman James Solomon is blasting the local board of education regarding the “lack of transparency” around the new contract for Superintendent of Schools Dr. Norma Fernandez approved at a special meeting last night.
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
“I am deeply concerned by the lack of transparency demonstrated in the recent handling of the superintendent’s contract. School Board President Dejon Morris bragged about his decision to withhold the contract from public view, justifying his action by saying ‘that’s the process in which I choose to maneuver,'” Solomon said in a statement.
“Public trust is built on transparency. Yesterday’s action further demonstrates the need for change in our School Board, which repeatedly demonstrates more concern with politics than supporting our students and teachers.”
Last night, the Jersey City BOE voted 7-1(1) to approve a new, three-year deal for Fernandez that tops out at $341,200, as HCV first reported.
As of this writing, the contract is still not available on the website for the Jersey City Public Schools, though this reporter obtained a copy that can be read here.
In a lengthy response, BOE President Dejon Morris apologized for his choice of words highlighted by the downtown councilman and vowed to push for transparency going forward.
“First and foremost, I want to clarify my previous statement, ‘that’s the process in which I choose to maneuver.’ I understand that these words may have come across as dismissive or unprofessional, and for that, I sincerely apologize,” he said.
“It was never my intention to imply that the process was not open to public scrutiny or that it was handled in any way that undermined transparency. My goal, like yours, is to ensure that our students, teachers, and community receive the best possible leadership and support.”
He added that the decision to withhold the contract was to ensure all the details were accurate prior to public consumption, not to obscure the details of the agreement.
Under the new deal, Fernandez is entitled to to 25 vacation days a year, and once she retires, cannot be paid for more than 50 vacation days, which would have a maximum value of $59,898.46, the contract says.
Fernandez would have earned a salary of $254,696 for the 2024-2025 scholastic year, her prior contract shows.
Morris and Trustee Noemi Velazquez said the schools chief’s prior deal was not fair, while Trustee Natalia Ioffe pointed out that Bayonne Superintendent of Schools John Niesz recently received a five-year deal that tops out at $305,000.
Ioffe continued that Bayonne has 11 public schools, while Jersey City has over 40.
Additionally, Acting School Business Administrator Dr. Dennis Frohnapfel said that Fernandez was not in the top 25 highest paid superintendents in the state with her prior deal, despite the Jersey City BOE being the fourth largest district.
While Solomon has not formally announced any political plans for 2025, he is widely expected to run for mayor.
That field currently includes Hudson County Commissioner Bill O’Dea (D-2), who is closely aligned with the school board, former Gov. Jim McGreevey, who has been highly critical of the BOE, Council President Joyce Watterman, and former BOE President Mussab Ali.
Editor’s note: This story was updated with a comment from Jersey City Board of Education President Dejon Morris.
