IN THE MATTER OF THE TENURE HEARING OF GREGORY HOWARD, SCHOOL DISTRICT OF THE CITY OF TRENTON, MERCER COUNTY, 10/26/07, (#425-07)

#425-07
IN THE MATTER OF THE TENURE 	:
HEARING OF GREGORY HOWARD, 	COMMISSIONER OF EDUCATION
TRENTON SCHOOL DISTRICT, 	:
MERCER COUNTY. 	DECISION
____________________________________:
SYNOPSIS
Petitioning Board filed tenure charges of excessive absenteeism, excessive tardiness and
abandonment of position against respondent, a tenured mathematics teacher, and sought his
removal from employment in the Trenton School District. 	Respondent failed to file an
answer to the petition following notice pursuant to N.J.A.C. 6A:3-5.3 and 6A:3-5.4.
The Commissioner concluded that the allegations – which respondent has chosen not to
deny – may be deemed admitted and are sufficient to warrant removal of the respondent
from his tenured position. 	Accordingly, the Commissioner granted summary decision to
the Board, ordered respondent dismissed from his tenured position, and transmitted the
matter to the State Board of Examiners for action as that body deems appropriate.
This synopsis is not part of the Commissioner’s decision. It has been prepared for the convenience of
the reader. It has been neither reviewed nor approved by the Commissioner.
October 26, 2007

AGENCY DKT. NO. 284-10/07
IN THE MATTER OF THE TENURE 	:
HEARING OF GREGORY HOWARD, 	COMMISSIONER OF EDUCATION
TRENTON SCHOOL DISTRICT, 	:
MERCER COUNTY. 	DECISION
____________________________________:
For Petitioner, Thomas W. Sumners, Jr., Esq. (Sumners George, attorneys)
No appearance by or on behalf of Respondent, Gregory Howard
This 	matter 	was 	opened 	before 	the 	Commissioner 	of 	Education 	on
October 1, 2007 by way of a verified petition against respondent, a teacher in petitioner’s district.
Petitioner seeks respondent’s removal for excessive absenteeism, excessive tardiness and
abandonment of position.
By notice dated October 1, 2007, the Bureau of Controversies and Disputes (the
Bureau) directed respondent to file an answer to the petition. 	The notice was sent to
1728 Mulford Street, Camden, NJ – purportedly the last known address for respondent – via
certified and regular mail. The notice that was sent by regular mail was returned, marked
“ATTEMPTED – NOT KNOWN – UNABLE TO FORWARD.”
The communication from the Bureau clearly provided respondent with notice that,
pursuant to N.J.A.C. 6A:3-5.3 and 6A:3-5.4, an individual against whom tenure charges are filed
shall have 15 days from receipt of the petition to file an answer. The Bureau has received neither
an answer to the petition from the respondent nor from any attorney purporting to represent
respondent.

The Commissioner concludes that the allegations – which respondent has chosen
not to deny – may be deemed admitted, pursuant to N.J.A.C. 6A:3-5.4(h), and are sufficient to
warrant removal of respondent from his tenured position as teacher of mathematics.
IT IS THEREFORE ORDERED that summary decision shall be granted to the
petitioner, and that respondent is dismissed from his tenured position in the district’s employ as
of the date of the within decision.1 This matter shall be transmitted to the State Board of
Examiners for action – as that body deems appropriate – against respondent’s certificate, in
accordance with N.J.A.C. 6A:9-17.6(a)1.
COMMISSIONER OF EDUCATION
Date of Decision: October 26, 2007
Date of Mailing: 	October 29, 2007
1 This decision may be appealed to the State Board of Education pursuant to N.J.S.A. 18A:6-27 et seq. and
N.J.A.C. 6A:4-1.1 et seq.