In the Matter of the Tenure Hearing of Lauren Puglisi, School District of the Township of Gloucester, Camden County, 5/4/2021, (#100-21)

Agency Dkt. No. 36-3/21
New Jersey Commissioner of Education
Final Decision
In the Matter of the Tenure Hearing of Lauren
Puglisi, School District of the
Township of Gloucester, Camden County.
For the Petitioner, Daniel Long, Esq.
No appearance by or on behalf of Respondent, Lauren Puglisi
This matter was opened before the Commissioner of Education on March 5, 2021,
through tenure charges of excessive absenteeism and unbecoming conduct certified by John
Bilodeau, Superintendent of the Gloucester Township School District (“District”), together with
supporting evidence against respondent, Lauren Puglisi, a tenured teacher 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, on February 24, 2021.
On March 9, 2021, the Commissioner directed the respondent, via 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.
100-21

2
The certified tenure charges and statement of supporting evidence filed by the District
in this matter indicate that the respondent has a history of excessive absenteeism. The respondent
was absent for 88.5 days during the 2019-2020 school year and between September 2021 through
January 13, 2021 the respondent was absent for 55 days. 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 charges of excessive absenteeism and unbecoming conduct
have been proven and warrants 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.
IT IS SO ORDERED.*
ACTING COMMISSIONER OF EDUCATION
Date of Decision:
Date of Mailing:
* 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 4, 2021
May 4, 2021