In the Matter of the Suspension of the Teaching Certificates of Edouard Battle Jacques, Jefferson Board of Education, Morris County, 9/15/26 (#367-26)

367-26
Agency Dkt. No. 100-3/26
New Jersey Commissioner of Education
Final Decision
In the Matter of the Suspension of the Teaching
Certificates 	of 	Edouard 	Battle 	Jacques,
Jefferson Board of Education, Morris County
This matter was opened before the Commissioner of Education on March 19, 2026, by
way of an Order to Show Cause served by petitioner, Jefferson Board of Education (Board), upon
respondent, Edouard Battle Jacques, requiring respondent to show cause why an order should
not be entered suspending his teaching certificates 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 law.
By notice dated March 27, 2026, the Office of Controversies and Disputes (Office)
acknowledged proof that the Order to Show Cause had been served upon respondent and
directed him to answer within 20 days. No answer having been received, on or about May 6,
2026, the Office sent respondent a second and final notice – via certified mail – directing him to
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. To date, respondent has not answered the
Order to Show Cause.
The petition and supporting exhibits submitted in this matter indicate that: on October
21, 2025, respondent entered into an employment contract to work as an art teacher at the

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Jefferson Intermediate School for the 2025-2026 school year, beginning September 1, 2025, and
ending June 30, 2026; the contract provides that it can be terminated by either the employer or
employee upon sixty days’ written notice; and, on January 28, 2026, respondent sent
correspondence to the Board indicating that he was resigning effective immediately, thereby
providing less than the required 60 days’ notice. He 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 teaching certificates
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 teaching
certificates are suspended for a period of one year, effective July 1, 2026. A copy of this decision
shall be forwarded to the State Board of Examiners for implementation of the suspension.
IT IS SO ORDERED.1
COMMISSIONER OF EDUCATION
Date of Decision: 	September 15, 2026
Date of Mailing: 	September 15, 2026
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.