that the Department of Education is understaffed and overwhelmed with tasks as diverse as completing design and construction of a data system capable of linking teacher effectiveness to student growth, to filling out federal grants properly. Amidst the news of Christopher Cerf’s imminent appointment, a few more leaks:

From The Record:

If confirmed by the Senate, Cerf would take over a state Education Department that has had no permanent chief since the summer. ..

The state Department of Education has also been strained by serial departures, with six out of seven assistant commissioner spots now vacant.

From NJ Spotlight:

The administration official said part of the discussion lately was also what kind of freedom Cerf would have in bringing in his own people to the state Department of Education. The department has been decimated over the past year, with only two assistant commissioners left.

“He’s got a very free hand,” said the official. “It’s not like there are a lot of people left there to replace.”