Christie reached across the aisle to choose longtime Democrat Christopher Cerf, who worked well with the N.Y. teachers union
Some are applauding Gov. Chris Christie, left, for his nomination of Christopher Cerf, right, a Democrat, as New Jersey's next education commissioner.TRENTON — He’s a long-time Democrat from Montclair who worked in the Clinton White House and was recommended by the mayor of New York.
But Christopher Cerf, who is likely to be named the state’s next education commissioner by Republican Gov. Chris Christie, is already being praised by educators and political officials from both parties over his support for charter schools and his success building consensus with New York City’s powerful teachers union.
Gov. Chris Christie is expected to formally nominate Cerf next week, according to a person briefed on the nomination, but not authorized to speak about it publicly. Cerf is a former New York City deputy schools chancellor and current CEO of Sangari Global Education, a math and science technology company.
Christie had no comment about Cerf’s pending nomination at a press conference Friday.
Derrell Bradford, executive director of the non-profit foundation Excellent Education for Everyone, praised Cerf’s "impressive track record on charter schools." While working in New York City, Cerf closed 90 failing schools and opened new charter schools.
"I can’t imagine the governor appointing someone who didn’t understand his reform priorities and wasn’t ready to go to war for them," said Bradford of Christie’s proposals to open more charter schools and allow private schools to convert to charters.
If approved by the state Senate, Cerf will take over a department whose work has been largely on hold since August when Christie fired former education commissioner Bret Schundler after the state lost $400 million in a competition for federal education aid.
Twenty-two year department veteran Rochelle Hendricks was named in August as the state’s acting education commissioner. Hendricks had no comment on Cerf’s nomination, said department spokesman Alan Guenther.
New Jersey Education Association spokesman Steve Wollmer said the union hopes to build a cooperative relationship with Cerf, adding that Cerf’s collaborative relationship with New York City’s American Federation of Teachers chapter was "very encouraging."
"A truly effective commissioner has to work with the union because we represent the people with valuable experience leading our classrooms," Wollmer said. "It’s a new year, we have a new commissioner, and soon a new opportunity for a fresh start with the governor’s administration."
"This is one of the most important positions in the cabinet and has a direct impact on every child in the state," said Senate President Stephen Sweeney (D-Gloucester). Assembly Speaker Sheila Oliver (D-Essex) has been critical of the governor’s delay in naming a permanent commissioner, but said she was pleased the governor "finally seems ready to announce a choice," she said.
Sen. Kevin O’Toole (R-Essex) said he hopes Cerf will use his impressive resume to improve underperforming schools.
"I’m excited to meet with him," he said. "I’m excited to see what kind of energy and dynamic he brings to New Jersey."
Because Gov. Chris Christie is a rising star in the Republican party, his selection of Cerf, a Democrat, is a bold move that indicates Christie’s interest in putting politics aside to focus on education reform, said Schundler.
"Cerf has a broad understanding of what has worked and what hasn’t worked with various reforms," Schundler said. "He has a passion for education reform, and he’s someone I spoke with about coming to the department as an assistant or to join the state board."
Schundler often clashed with Christie during his short tenure as the state’s top education official, but said he expects Cerf will be able to work well with Christie.
Staff writers Chris Megerian and Ginger Gibson contributed to this report.