Tonight at 7 pm the Asbury Park Board of Education was scheduled to hold a “Special Meeting” to interview candidates to replace Superintendent Sancha Gray. But this afternoon the meeting was abruptly cancelled.

This is a developing story. 

After Gray made the surprise announcement of her resignation at the March 25th school board meeting, Board President Sheila Etienne said the district needs “the best qualified candidate, someone with the certifications and experience, someone who can pick up without missing a beat.” The board would create a search committee, she noted, using resources from the New Jersey School Boards Association, to hire an interim superintendent and then, after a longer search, a permanent replacement for Gray, whose last day in-district is June 30th. 

While the interviews are cancelled, the search committee (comprised of several members of the Board) will hold a private meeting tonight.

As NJ Education Report readers know,  four internal candidates applied for the spot, along with an unknown number of others from outside the district. However, the Board decided to only interview one insider, Rashawn Adams, and an outside candidate who doesn’t have a chance. The fix is in, despite heartfelt pleas from district leaders, teachers, and community members. 

There has been considerable community pressure for a shift from the nepotistic culture that marks the district. 

The next school board meeting is scheduled for June 24th, six days before Gray leaves.