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New Jersey’s Commissioner of Education, Dr. Angelica Allen-McMillan, has announced her departure from the office in January, after serving for three years without official state Senate confirmation. Allen-McMillan was nominated for the position in October 2020, following the departure of Lamont Repollet, who left to assume the presidency of Kean University.
Despite her unconfirmed status, Allen-McMillan was able to execute her duties effectively. Her tenure, however, was not without controversy. She faced challenges related to the sex education curriculum and gender identification policies in New Jersey schools.
Allen-McMillan’s career began as a substitute teacher in Essex County and later taught in East Orange Public Schools. She also launched the Marion P. Thomas Charter School in Newark. Her administrative roles included serving as an assistant principal and principal in the South Orange-Maplewood School District, and as an assistant superintendent in both Irvington Public Schools and Newark Public Schools. Prior to her nomination as Commissioner, she served as the Interim Executive County Superintendent for Morris County.
As of now, Governor Phil Murphy has not announced a successor.