In the Matter of the Board of Education of the City of Trenton, Mercer County. Commissioner of Education Decision.

Overview & Synopsis

This is a review of a case considered by the New Jersey Commissioner of Education regarding charges brought by the Puerto Rican Congress and Council of Puerto Rican Organizations against the Trenton, Mercer County, Board of Education. The Commissioner of Education evaluated the Trenton Board's performance in adhering to State laws in the following areas: (1) special education programs for handicapped children; (2) affirmative action plans; (3) provision of safe and suitable school facilities; (4) bilingual education programs; (5) the submission of required reports to the Commissioner; and (6) the efficiency of administrative procedures, the sufficiency of the 1978-79 school budget, and the employment of teaching staff members. The Commissioner's evaluation found that the Trenton Board had failed to meet State legal requirements in each of these areas. Recommendations for corrective action were offered for consideration by the State Board of Education. (APM)