In the Matter of the Suspension of the Teaching Certificates of Maegan Sinisi, Board of Education of the South Orange- Maplewood School District, Essex County, 1/23/26 (#25-26)

25-26
Agency Dkt. No. 380-10/25
New Jersey Commissioner of Education
Final Decision
In the Matter of the Suspension of the
Teaching Certificate of Maegan Sinisi, Board of
Education of the South Orange-Maplewood
School District, Essex County
This matter was opened before the Commissioner of Education on October 29, 2025, by
way of an Order to Show Cause (OSC) served by petitioner, Board of Education of the South
Orange-Maplewood 	School 	District 	(Board), 	upon 	respondent, 	Maegan 	Sinisi, 	requiring
respondent to show cause why an order should not be entered suspending her pursuant to
N.J.S.A. 18A:26-10.
By notice dated November 10, 2025, the Office of Controversies and Disputes (Office)
acknowledged proof that the OSC had been served upon respondent and directed her to answer
within 20 days. 	No answer having been received, on December 1, 2025, the Office sent
respondent a notice via email directing her 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. No answer having been received, on January 7, 2026, the Office sent respondent
another notice – via regular and certified mail – again directing her to file an answer within ten
days.
On January 12, 2026, the Office received an email from respondent, indicating that she
was not contesting the suspension.

2
The petition and supporting exhibits in this matter indicate respondent was a tenured
teacher in the South Orange-Maplewood School District. In her capacity as a teacher, respondent
was required to adhere to all statutes of the State of New Jersey, rules of the New Jersey Board
of Education, and policies of the South Orange-Maplewood School District; among her duties was
the statutory requirement that respondent provide at least sixty days’ notice to the Board prior
to vacating her tenured position.
However, on September 17, 2025, respondent sent correspondence to the Board
indicating that she was resigning effective September 16, 2025 – well short of the sixty day-notice
required by N.J.S.A. 18A:28-8. 	Respondent has not denied these allegations; therefore, the
Commissioner deems such allegations to be admitted pursuant to N.J.A.C. 6A:3-1.5(a) and further
deems them sufficient to justify suspension of respondent’s teaching certificate pursuant to
N.J.S.A. 18A:26-10.
Accordingly, summary decision is hereby granted to petitioner, and respondent’s teaching
certificate, and any substitute teaching credential she may hold, is suspended for a period of one
year from the filing date of this decision, a copy of which 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: 	January 23, 2026
Date of Mailing: 	January 27, 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.