J.T., on behalf of minor child, J.E. v. Board of Education of the Township of Woodbridge, Middlesex County, 3/16/26 (#91-26R)

91-26R
OAL Dkt. No. EDU 21063-25
Agency Dkt. No. 376-10/25
New Jersey Commissioner of Education
Final Decision
J.T., on behalf of minor child, J.E.,
Petitioner,
v.
Board 	of 	Education 	of 	the 	Township 	of
Woodbridge, Middlesex County,
Respondent.
The record of this matter, which was transmitted to the Commissioner by the Office of
Administrative Law (OAL) pursuant to N.J.A.C. 1:1-14.4 and includes an advisement of the
petitioner’s failure to appear at a phone conference1 on January 26, 2026 has been reviewed.
On February 10, 2026, petitioner emailed the Office of Controversies and Disputes to
explain that when she called the OAL on the date of the phone conference, it was closed.
Petitioner noted that there was a blizzard that day, and that she did not think the proceedings
were still happening. Accordingly, petitioner requested that the case be transferred back to the
OAL.
Upon review, the Commissioner concludes that it is appropriate to remand this matter to
the OAL. The Commissioner notes that State offices were closed due to weather conditions on
1 The Notice of Return refers to a hearing on January 26, 2026, but the scheduling notice included in the record
indicates that the proceeding scheduled for January 26, 2026 was a telephone prehearing conference.

2
January 26, 2026. 	While the OAL may have continued to hold telephone conferences to the
extent an Administrative Law Judge was able to appear in the office or to conduct the
proceedings remotely, petitioner has represented that she attempted to call the OAL but it was
closed. 	In light of the circumstances, the Commissioner accepts petitioner’s explanation as
reasonable.
Accordingly, this matter is remanded to the OAL for further proceedings.
IT IS SO ORDERED.
COMMISSIONER OF EDUCATION
Date of Decision: 	March 16, 2026
Date of Mailing: 	March 16, 2026