Atlantic City & State of NJ Are Violating The Law? School Superintendent

How has this been allowed to continue for more than one year?

La’Quetta Small was indicted for 2nd Degree Endangering The Welfare of a Child by an Atlantic County, New Jersey Grand Jury on September 17, 2024.

Both Marty and La’Quetta Small were direct criminally charged by the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office prior to the September 17, 2024 indictment.

Yet, somehow, La’Quetta Small is still serving in an active capacity as Superintendent of Public Schools for the City of Atlantic City.

How? Why?

To Be Fair … A Public School Employee Is Not Permanently Disqualified For Being Indicted

However, because of the nature of the criminal charge … they are not permitted to work within a public school system with the criminal charges pending.

For example, Constance Days-Chapman, the Atlantic City High School Principal was immediately suspended (with pay) immediately upon being criminally charged in the same case as Marty and La’Quetta Small.

Read More: Indicted Atlantic City High School Principal Loses Latest Battle

How has La’Quetta Small remained in active status?

The Atlantic City Board of Education Is A Disgrace

The super majority of the Atlantic City Board of Education is closely, politically aligned with Marty and La’Quetta Small.

They know the law in New Jersey, and, they have failed to take the required action.

Shame on the Atlantic City Board of Education solicitor, too.

Here Is The Applicable New Jersey Law

New Jersey law (N.J.S.A. 18A:6-7.1) requires that when charges are pending for a crime that would be a disqualifier upon conviction, a school employee is ineligible for employment until the case is resolved. For child abuse, this means:

The individual will be removed from their position pending the outcome of the case. Once the legal process concludes and a determination is made, the employee's eligibility for continued employment will be re-evaluated.

Permanent Disqualification Upon Conviction

A conviction for child abuse or related offenses will result in permanent disqualification from working in a New Jersey public school. New Jersey law states that a person is permanently barred from employment if a criminal history record check reveals a conviction for:

 

• A crime of the first or second degree.
• An offense involving endangering the welfare of children.
• A "substantially equivalent" crime committed in another state.

How can the Atlantic City Board of Education and the state of New Jersey, Department of Education allow this gross injustice to continue?

What Does This Mean For The Future?

What happens the next time someone in Atlantic City is accused, or, criminally charged for child abuse?

Will that person able to remain in their public position, simply by citing the La’Quetta Small precedent?

I would expect the Atlantic City Board of Education to act in such a politically corrupt manner. I would never expect the state of New Jersey to blatantly fail to do its job.

It’s never too late to do the right thing.