Christie renews Newark schools chief contract

NEWARK (AP) — The Christie administration has renewed the contract of the embattled superintendent of the state's largest school system.

Acting Commissioner of Education David Hespe announced Friday that the contract of Newark Schools Superintendent Cami Anderson's contract has been renewed for three years. She will receive a 1.6 percent annual increase on her base salary of $251,500.

New Jersey education officials have moved recently to return some aspects of local control to Newark schools, which have been run by the state since 1995.

Opponents of state control have directed their anger at Anderson and rallied for her ouster after she introduced a plan to overhaul the struggling district.

Hespe said Friday that an overhaul should continue under Anderson's leadership and needed more time to take hold.

Anderson was appointed in 2011.

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