In the Matter of the Suspension of the School Counselor Certificate of Elizabeth Wood Norman, Trenton Stem-to-Civics Charter School, Mercer County, 5/19/2022, (#103-22)

Agency Dkt. No. 232-12/21
New Jersey Commissioner of Education
Decision
In the Matter of the Suspension of the
School Counselor Certificate of Elizabeth Wood
Norman, Trenton Stem-to-Civics Charter School,
Mercer County.
For petitioner, Andrew W. Li, Esq.
No appearance by or on behalf of respondent
This matter was opened before the Commissioner of Education on December 28, 2021, by
way of an Order to Show Cause served by petitioner (Trenton Stem-to-Civics Charter School) upon
respondent (Elizabeth Wood Norman), requiring respondent to show cause why an order should
not be entered suspending her school counselor certificate pursuant to N.J.S.A. 18A:26-10 and
N.J.S.A. 18A:28-8 for resigning without giving the notice required by her employment contract and
without the notice required for tenured employees. By notice dated January 12, 2022, the Office of
Controversies and Disputes (Office) acknowledged proof that the Order to Show Cause had been
served upon respondent and directed respondent to answer within 20 days.
No answer having yet been received, on March 15, 2022, the Office sent respondent a
second and final notice – via certified and regular mail – directing that she must file an answer
within ten days. The notice advised that, pursuant to N.J.A.C. 6A:3-1.5(e), failure to answer would
cause each allegation in petitioner’s papers to be deemed admitted and might result in summary
decision by the Commissioner. No answer to the Order to Show Cause has been filed as of this
date.
103-22

2
The petition and supporting exhibits submitted by petitioner in this matter indicate that:
respondent was a tenured employee; respondent entered into a contract to work as a full-time
school counselor for the 2021-22 school year that required 60-days’ notice prior to termination; on
October 22, 2021, respondent sent correspondence indicating that she was resigning and her last
day would be November 12, 2021, providing less than 60 days’ notice. The respondent has not
denied these allegations; therefore, the Commissioner deems such allegations to be admitted
pursuant to N.J.A.C. 6A:3-1.5(e) and further deems them sufficient to justify suspension of
respondent’s school counselor certification pursuant to N.J.S.A. 18A:26-10 and N.J.S.A. 18A:28-8.
Accordingly, summary decision is hereby granted to petitioner, and respondent’s school
counselor certification is suspended for a period of one year from the filing date of this decision, a
copy of which shall be forwarded to the State Board of Examiners for implementation of the
suspension.
IT IS SO ORDERED. 1
ACTING COMMISSIONER OF EDUCATION
Date of Decision:
Date of Mailing:
1 This decision may be appealed to the Appellate Division of the Superior Court pursuant to N.J.S.A. 18A:6-9.1.
Under N.J.Ct.R. 2:4-1(b), a notice of appeal must be filed with the Appellate Division within 45 days from the date
of mailing of this decision.
May 19, 2022
May 19, 2022