In the Matter of the Teaching Certificates of Ranjan Chattopadhyay, Board of Education of the Township of North Brunswick, Middlesex County, 9/5/19, (#229-19)

Agency Dkt. No. 108-5/19
New Jersey Commissioner of Education
Final Decision
In the Matter of the Certificates of
Ranjan Chattopadhyay, School District of the
Township of North Brunswick,
Middlesex County.
For the Petitioner, Ari D. Schneider, Esq.
No appearance by or on behalf of Respondent, Ranjan Chattopadhyay
This matter was opened before the Commissioner of Education on May 16, 2019,
by way of an Order to Show Cause served by petitioner, the North Brunswick Township Board
of Education (Board), upon the respondent, Ranjan Chattopadhyay, requiring respondent to show
cause why an order should not be entered suspending his teaching certificate pursuant to
N.J.S.A. 18A:26-10 for resigning without giving the notice required by his contract with
petitioner. 	By notice dated June 12, 2019, the Office of Controversies and Disputes (Office)
acknowledged receipt of proof that the Order to Show Cause had been served upon respondent
and directed respondent to answer within 20 days.
No answer having yet been received, on July 3, 2019, the Office sent respondent a
second notice, via regular and certified mail, directing that he 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. 	The copy of the notice that was sent via certified mail was returned as
unclaimed. 	The copy of the notice sent via regular mail was not returned. 	No answer to the
Order to Show Cause has been filed as of this date.
229-19

2
The affidavit submitted by the petitioner in this matter states that the respondent
entered into a contract with the petitioner for employment from October 21, 2018 through
June 30, 2019. 	On March 20, 2019 the respondent informed the district that he would not be
fulfilling the term of his employment. Despite a warning that the failure to give 60 days notice
prior to his resignation could jeopardize his certificate, the respondent resigned effective
March 28, 	2019. 	The 	respondent 	has 	not 	denied 	the 	allegations 	therein; 	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 certification
pursuant to N.J.S.A. 18A:26-10.
Accordingly, summary decision is hereby granted to petitioner, and respondent’s
teaching certification 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.*
COMMISSIONER OF EDUCATION
Date of Decision:
Date of Mailing:
* Pursuant to P.L. 2008, c. 36 (N.J.S.A. 18A:6-9.1), Commissioner decisions are appealable to the Superior Court,
Appellate Division
September 5, 2019
September 9, 2019