Camden’s top elected officials, including Mayor Victor Carstarphen, are calling for the state to fire schools Superintendent Katrina T. McCombs, saying the troubled South Jersey school system needs “a new vision in leadership,” according to a published report.

Carstarphen and four others asked the state’s Acting Education Commissioner Kevin Dehmer to replace McCombs as the state-appointed school superintendent. New Jersey Globe. Others mentioned include State Senator Nilsa Cruz-Perez, Assemblyman William Spearman, City Council President Angel Fuentes and newly elected school advisory board chair N’Namdee Nelson; They are all Democrats.

“While we recognize and appreciate Superintendent McCombs’ efforts throughout his tenure, we believe a new direction is necessary to fully meet the evolving needs of our students and educators,” Dehmer wrote. “A change in leadership will better position our schools to thrive and serve the diverse needs of our community.”

Article by The Globe Republican David Wildstein and his self-confessed mastermind of the New Jersey political revenge plot known as Bridgegate sent shockwaves through Camden. Wildstein, editor of the political news site, pleaded guilty two felony conspiracy charges in Bridgegate in 2015; a federal judge later vacated his conviction.

A group calling itself “concerned members of the Camden community” released a statement Friday chastising those who called for McCombs’ removal. They described this stance as “divisive” without transparent justification.

“Now is the time for unity and solidarity. Our children deserve leaders who are supported in their efforts to lead with consistency, fairness, and integrity,” the letter said.

” READ MORE: Judge overturns conviction of ‘Bridgegate’ mastermind David Wildstein

McCombs could not be reached for comment Friday. Schools were closed due to the state teachers’ congress. A spokesman did not immediately respond. Spokespeople for Dehmer and Gov. Phil Murphy did not respond to a request to see the letter.

In September, McCombs called for the resignation of then-advisory board chairman Wasim Muhammad. After being accused of sexual assault by a former student in a civil lawsuit that settled for $2 million in June. Murphy also called for Muhammad’s resignation.

There was widespread speculation Friday that Camden officials who had praised McCombs in the past were now trying to oust him in retaliation. Muhammad, who maintained his innocence and initially said he would not step down from his position, resigned shortly after McCombs publicly called for his resignation. Nelson replaced Muhammad as chairman of the board.

McCombs was appointed acting superintendent by the state in 2018 and took the job permanently a year later. Appointed for second three-year term in 2022. His contract runs through the 2024-25 school year.

” READ MORE: Embattled Camden school advisory board chairman resigns after months of protests

Muhammad and Carstarphen were teammates on Camden High School’s 1986 undefeated championship basketball team and are often seen hanging out together. McCombs was their classmate and a popular cheerleader. They were high school students.

Camden officials offered to meet with Dehmer to discuss the superintendent’s position, according to the Globe report. Since the district is under state intervention, the commissioner selects the school principal with the approval of the state board. Camden’s advisory board has no authority.

The mayor’s spokesman, Vincent Basara, said he had “no information on this matter.” Fuentes did not respond to messages. Spokespeople for Cruz-Perez and Spearman did not respond to messages Friday asking about the letter. Nelson could not be reached.

McCombs spent his entire 25-plus year career in Camden schools. She started as a kindergarten teacher and rose to the administrative level. ranks. He was appointed inspector in 2019, replacing Paymon Rouhanifard, who was the first inspector appointed after the state took control in 2013.

He inherited a district in disarray, from abysmal exam results, a high dropout rate to mismanaged finances. Students began leaving the city’s traditional public schools to attend Renaissance and charter schools; these schools now lead the district’s enrollment process.

” READ MORE: Ten years after state takeover, has the Camden school system made progress?

More than a decade after the state takeover, officials say the district has made modest gains in graduation and dropout rates, with the pandemic partially receding. The latest state standardized test results show Camden students performing well below the state average in math, language arts and science.