In the Matter of Noel Cruz, City of Orange Township Board of Education, Essex County, 10/7/2021, (#217-21SEC)

217-21SEC
SEC Dkt. No. D05-21
Agency Dkt. No. 135-8/21
New Jersey Commissioner of Education
Final Decision
In the Matter of Noel Cruz,
City of Orange Township Board of Education,
Essex County.
The Commissioner has reviewed the record of this matter and the decision of the
School Ethics Commission (SEC), finding that respondent violated the School Ethics Act for failure to
timely file Personal/Relative and Financial Disclosure Statements (“Disclosure Statements”) in accordance
with N.J.S.A. 18A:12-25, N.J.S.A. 18A:12-26, and N.J.A.C. 6A:28-3.1. The SEC’s decision was forwarded
to the Commissioner for final determination on the recommended penalty pursuant to N.J.S.A. 18A:12-29(c).
The SEC recommended a sanction of censure.1 Respondent has neither filed exceptions to the recommended
penalty, nor instituted an appeal of the SEC’s underlying finding of violation pursuant to N.J.A.C. 6A:4-1 et
seq.
Upon review, the Commissioner concurs with the penalty recommended by the SEC for
respondent’s failure to timely honor an obligation placed upon school officials by law. Accordingly,
respondent is hereby censured for violating the School Ethics Act.
IT IS SO ORDERED.2
ACTING COMMISSIONER OF EDUCATION
Date of Decision:
Date of Mailing:
1 Although it was not indicated in the SEC’s decision, it appears that respondent is no longer a member of the Board of
Education. Therefore, while the penalty for failure to file Disclosure Statements is typically removal, the Commissioner
is limited in these circumstances to a penalty of censure.
2 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.
October 7, 2021
October 7, 2021