Gov. Chris Christie Names Cami Anderson To Be New Newark Schools Superintendent
NEWARK, NJ (AP / CBSNewYork) - New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie has named a New York City schools official, who is credited with revolutioning a troubled school district, as Newark's new schools superintendent.
Cami Anderson most recently served as superintendent of Alternative High Schools and Programming for the New York City Board of Education.
WCBS 880's Levon Putney: She Is Crossing The Hudson River
Podcast
She is a former executive director of Teach For America, which recruits teachers to work in urban schools.
"Newark is not an experiment. I'm less interested in experimenting than bringing to scale what we know works," which Anderson said. "So, we need to do everything we can to get great people and to support folks and to dig deep and take everything to the next level when it comes to teaching and leadership."
Anderson has close ties to Newark Mayor Cory Booker. She was an adviser to Booker in his first campaign for mayor in 2002.
1010 WINS' Steve Sandberg reports: Christie Says It Was An Easy Decision
Podcast
"To me it's a school-by-school change proposition; some will be faster than others and I really believe that it's about each one of those buildings being excellent," Anderson said.
The governor's office said Wednesday that Anderson's selection followed a five-month search to identify reform-oriented candidates.
"I am in this for the long haul with her," said Christie at Science Park High School on Wednesday. "I believe she's an outstanding leader who understands how to get things done."
Anderson will head a troubled school district in which nearly half of students do not graduate from high school.
WCBS 880's Levon Putney: Anderson's $240,000 Salary Will Be Above The Cap
Podcast
Christie says he doesn't expect Anderson to be able to turn around the state-run district in a couple of years and he is also looking for community involvement.
The city's schools received a $100 million grant last fall from Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg.
Do you think Anderson is the right one for the job? Let us know below
(TM and Copyright 2011 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2011 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
