At last night’s Asbury Park Board of Education public meeting, board members voted to place Superintendent Rashawn Adams on administrative leave. In addition, they chose long-time Asbury Park administrator Mark Gerbino as Interim Superintendent.

While the Board has not yet commented, John Napolitani, the president of the local teachers union, sent out a letter this morning, praising the school board for a “hard decision” and urging members to “begin to heal together.”

Asbury Park Public Schools district has been much in the news for fiscal excess, rock-bottom student achievement, and falling enrollment. At the district’s elementary school, only two third-graders can read and do math at grade level. That’s in spite of, according to the State Department of Education, a total annual cost per pupil of $40,029 (as well as a state fiscal monitor for a decade). It’s not much better for older students; according to the DOE, 12% of Asbury Park High School students are proficient in reading and the state redacts the data for math because the percentage is so low. Districtwide, the chronic absenteeism rate is 40%.

Adams is one in a line of controversial superintendents. In 2014 the school board hired Lamont Repollet as chief of schools. He implemented a system called “the 64 Floor,” which barred teachers from giving students failing grades. In 2018 Gov. Phil Murphy chose him as state Education Commissioner; the school board replaced Repollet with his protege Sancha Gray, who resigned in 2021. The board then chose Rashawn Adams, whose tenure has been mired in controversy, falling student achievement, and staff discontent. Adams’ removal is due, in part, to a newly-constituted school board that has demanded systemic changes for the benefit of Asbury Park families, students, and staff members.

This is a developing story.

Here is Napolitani’s email:

Good Morning,

As you may or may not be aware, a significant change took place last evening with our district leadership. As a long time leader in the Asbury Park School District, I realize that this is a significant move, one that is never easy. Being in this position several years ago in my own municipality, I truly understand the significance of such a move and respect the Board for making this hard decision. This decision, as much as it was needed, still is extremely difficult because it affects peoples lives, and I understand that significance.

Moving forward, as the President of the APEA, it is my job to assure this Board they made the right decision for the staff we represent and the students we educate. Therefore, I am requesting that moving forward, we as staff, begin to heal together. This means I need your help with pulling this district together to move it in a forward and positive manner. I am requesting that we ALL work together for the betterment of the district, which means we need to significantly cut down the negativity. This will be no easy task as there has been a lot of damage done here over the years. But I believe with hard work and determination, we can fix this district. 

In closing, we wish Mark Gerbino the best of luck in this new role. As leaders, we will work together to settle matters within the district that affect every staff member. This is a new day for the Asbury Park School District; but it will take a lot of hard work and collaboration to mend this district. I know in my heart that we ALL can do it. Please be positive about this change and work together.

In Solidarity, 

John Napolitani

APEA President