In the Matter of the Tenure Hearing of Patricia Hughes, School District of Parsippany-Troy Hills, Morris County , 7/26/19, (#199-19)

199-19
New Jersey Commissioner of Education
Final Decision
In the Matter of the Tenure Hearing of
Patricia Hughes, School District of the
Township of Parsippany-Troy Hills,
Morris County.
Synopsis
Petitioning Board certified tenure charges of inefficiency, incapacity and conduct unbecoming,
against respondent – a tenured Spanish teacher employed by the Board – and sought to terminate
her 	employment 	with 	the 	district. 	Respondent 	was 	provided 	notice 	that, 	pursuant 	to
N.J.A.C. 6A:3-5.3 and 6A:3-5.4, she had 15 days from the date that the charges were filed with
the Commissioner to file a written response to the charges, and that – absent the granting of an
extension for good cause – failure to do so would result in the charges being deemed admitted.
No reply to the charges was received from or on behalf of the respondent.
The Commissioner concluded that the allegations – which respondent has chosen not to deny –
may be deemed admitted and warrant the termination of the respondent from her tenured
position. 	Accordingly, the Commissioner granted summary decision to the petitioner, and
dismissed the respondent from her tenured position in petitioner’s school district.
This synopsis is not part of the Commissioner’s decision. It has been prepared for the convenience of the
reader. It has been neither reviewed nor approved by the Commissioner.
July 26, 2019

Agency Dkt. No. 147-6/19
New Jersey Commissioner of Education
Final Decision
In the Matter of the Tenure Hearing of
Patricia Hughes, School District of the
Township of Parsippany-Troy Hills,
Morris County.
For the Petitioner, Katherine A. Gilfillan, Esq.
No appearance by or on behalf of Respondent, Patricia Hughes
This matter was opened before the Commissioner of Education on June 24, 2019,
through tenure charges of inefficiency, incapacity, conduct unbecoming and other just cause
certified by Dr. Robert S. Sutter, Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources for the
Parsippany-Troy Hills School District (“District”), together with supporting evidence against
respondent, Patricia Hughes, 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, on June 18, 2019.
On June 24, 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

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shown – result in the charges being deemed admitted. 	No reply to the tenure charges was
received from or on behalf of the respondent.
The certified tenure charges and statement of supporting evidence filed by the
petitioner in this matter indicate the respondent has been employed by the District as a tenured
teacher since the 2006-07 school year. 	The respondent has engaged in several instances of
inappropriate and unprofessional conduct towards other teaching staff members; respondent has
demonstrated a pattern of performance deficiencies that evince a complete inability to be an
effective educator; 	and the respondent has refused to undergo a fit-for-duty examination since
she was placed on leave on or about January 22, 2015.
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 petitioner’s charges
of inefficiency, incapacity and conduct unbecoming a teaching staff member have been proven
and overwhelmingly warrant the respondent’s dismissal. 	Accordingly, summary decision is
hereby granted to the petitioner, 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: 	July 26, 2019
Date of Mailing: 	July 26, 2019
* 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).