JERSEY CITY AND BEYOND — The Jersey City Board of Education on Wednesday held a public hearing on renewing the contract of schools superintendent (and former Democratic Assemblyman) Dr. Charles Epps.
Epps has led the district for the last 10 years.
Residents have been split on Epps’ future, with some wanting the Board of Education to conduct a search for a new superintendent. The board majority wants to extend Epps’ contract for another two years.
The board did not vote on the two-year contract extention after the hearing ended. The extention has to be reviewed by Hudson County Superintendent of Schools Timothy Brennan before it is sent back to the board for a final vote at a future meeting, date undetermined.
The propopsed contract extention stipulates that Epps would earn $268,200 a year with no salary increases, he would get 22 vacation days, and have to contribute 1.5 percent of his salary to his medical insurance.
Board member Sean Connors said 80 to 100 people were in attendance at the hearing, which took place at the Board of Education main office on Claremont Avenue, and approximately 45 speakers addressed the board.
While he heard officials such as City Councilman Steven Fulop, state Senator Sandra Cunningham and Hudson County Freeholder Jeffrey Dublin speak, Connors said he was “most impressed” by the grammar school and high school students who spoke during the hearing. – RK