In the Matter of the Tenure Hearing of Leah Armstrong, School District of the City of Camden, Camden County, 1/9/2020, (#15-20)

Agency Dkt. No. 316-12/19
New Jersey Commissioner of Education
Final Decision
In the Matter of the Tenure Hearing of
Leah Armstrong, School District of the
City of Camden, Camden County.
For the Petitioner, Louis R. Lessig, Esq.
No appearance by or on behalf of Respondent, Leah Armstrong
This matter was opened before the Commissioner of Education on December 6, 2019,
through tenure charges of incapacity certified by Katrina T. McCombs, Superintendent of the
Camden City School District (“District”), together with supporting evidence against respondent,
Leah Armstrong, a tenured teaching staff member in the District’s employ. 	The District provided
respondent with written notice of such certification at the respondent’s last known address, via
certified mail and regular mail, on December 6, 2019.
On December 9, 2019, the Commissioner directed the respondent – via both certified
and regular mail – to file an answer to the charges. This communication clearly provided notice to
respondent that, pursuant to N.J.A.C. 6A:3-5.3 and 6A:3-5.4, an individual against whom tenure
charges are certified “shall have 15 days from the day such charges are filed with the Commissioner
to file a written response to the charges with the Commissioner,” and that failure to answer within
the prescribed period would – absent granting of an extension for good cause shown – result in the
charges being deemed admitted. 	No reply to the tenure charges was received from or on behalf of
the respondent.
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2
The certified tenure charges and statement of supporting evidence filed by the District
in this matter indicate that the respondent was employed by the District as a tenured teacher.
Respondent was on a leave of absence for the entire 2015-2016 school year commencing with a paid
leave of absence as of September 2, 2015 to December 8, 2015. 	Respondent has remained on an
unpaid leave of absence and she has not responded to the District’s attempts to contact her to
determine a return date.
Deeming the allegations to be admitted and noting that the respondent has failed to
respond to the charges certified against her, the Commissioner finds that the District’s charge of
incapacity has been proven and overwhelmingly warrant the respondent’s dismissal. 	Accordingly,
summary decision is hereby granted to the District, and the respondent is dismissed from her tenured
position with the District. This matter will be transmitted to the State Board of Examiners for action
against respondent’s certificate(s) as that body deems appropriate.
IT IS SO ORDERED.*
COMMISSIONER OF EDUCATION
Date of Decision: 	January 9, 2020
Date of Mailing: 	January 10, 2020
* This decision may be appealed to the Appellate Division of the Superior Court pursuant to P.L. 2008,
c. 36 (N.J.S.A 18A:6-9.1).