Two school administrators abruptly leave district
TRENTON >> Two top officials at Trenton Public Schools have suddenly left their jobs without much explanation from the district.
In correspondence sent to staff on Wednesday, acting Superintendent Nelson Ribon informed employees that Josue Falaise would no longer be the interim chief academic officer “effective immediately” and interim Special Education Supervisor Eva Raleigh was “no longer with the district.”
Both moves took place this week and could have occurred after a closed door session at Monday’s school board meeting. The board took action in public after its executive session on several personnel transactions, The Trentonian has learned.
Despite the action taking place in public, school leaders failed to provide any information on the board’s resolutions on Wednesday. Officials also failed to specify if Falaise or Raleigh resigned or were terminated from their positions. Resignations are public information that appear on school board agendas.
“We cannot comment on personnel matters,” Ribon said Wednesday in an email.
That comment was reiterated by board attorney Perry Lattiboudere.
Both Falaise and Raleigh were recent hires.
Falaise was appointed in July as chief academic officer — the district’s No. 2 position — to fulfill the void left by Lucia Feria’s promotion to interim superintendent. Feria previously filled the role before her promotion.
Falaise, who earned a salary of $147,000, was slated to remain in his position until July 1.
So his exit was unexpected.
Falaise did not immediately return a message seeking comment.
Ribon told staff that he would oversee the chief academic office to ensure the district provides “a high level of quality service to our schools” due to the leadership change.
Raleigh was hired on Jan. 24 and was scheduled to stay on until the end of the school year. She earned $475 per day.
When reached by phone, Raleigh said she has retained an attorney.
“So I really do not wish to make a comment to you at this time,” Raleigh told the reporter.
Raleigh served as the Beach Haven School District’s superintendent from July 2013 to June 2016 before landing in Trenton, according to information on her LinkedIn page.
She is also an adjunct instructor at Prescott College and adjunct professor at Brookdale Community College.