In the Matter of the Tenure Hearing of Georgiana Cleary, School District of the City of East Orange, Essex County, 11/06/2023, (#335-23)

Agency Dkt. No. 232-8/23
New Jersey Commissioner of Education
Final Decision
In the Matter of the Tenure Hearing of
Georgiana Cleary, School District of the
City of East Orange, Essex County
For the Petitioner, Ramon E. Rivera, Esq.
No appearance by or on behalf of Respondent, Georgiana Cleary
This matter was opened before the Commissioner of Education on August 24, 2023,
through tenure charges of excessive absenteeism and other just cause certified by
AbdulSaleem Hasan, Superintendent of the East Orange School District (“District”), together
with supporting evidence against respondent, Georgiana Cleary, a tenured teacher in the
District’s employ. The District provided respondent with written notice of such certification at
the respondent’s current known address, via UPS.
On August 28, 2023, the Commissioner issued a notice to respondent via email,
directing her to file an answer to the charges. This communication 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. On September 18, 2023, the
Commissioner sent a second email to respondent. On September 25, 2023, the Commissioner
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sent a notice to respondent via regular mail. No reply to the tenure charges has been received
from or on behalf of the respondent.
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 dating back
to the 2021-2022 school year. Respondent has reported to work only three times since
November 28, 2022. Deeming the allegations to be admitted and noting that the respondent
has failed to respond to the charges certified against her before the Commissioner, the
Commissioner finds that the District’s charge of excessive absenteeism has 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 East Orange School
District.
IT IS SO ORDERED.1
ACTING COMMISSIONER OF EDUCATION
Date of Decision:
Date of Mailing:
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.
November 6, 2023
November 8, 2023