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For the past seven years in Hoboken’s public schools, it appears that the doctor really wasn’t in the house at all.
It has been revealed on social media platforms — and Superintendent Christine Johnson herself — that the seven year leader of the district has used the title “Dr.” during her tenure, despite only getting her doctorate in August 2022.
The revelation, first reported by Hudson County View, is more evidence of a growing divide and a choosing of sides among elected officials and unofficial watchdogs across the city. The issue is transparency, say critics.
It has shaped the Mile Square’s City’s loose and not-so-loose political factions: one side that orbits around Mayor Ravi Bhalla, and another side that includes people broadly opposed to him.
Bhalla’s orbit includes allies like city council members Emily Jabbour, Phil Cohen, Jim Doyle and Joe Quintero, and non-direct ties such as Councilman Michael Russo, who has swung his vote in favor of Bhalla’s allies; and the current school board, many of whom were endorsed by the mayor.
Among the administration critics are city council members Tiffanie Fisher, Michael DeFusco, Jen Giattino and Ruben Ramos, and those who have opposed plans by the school board. It all started back in November of 2021 with the high school referendum.
Just two weeks after three incumbents won re-election that month, the board announced grandiose plans for a publicly funded $241 million high school, weeks after rumors of the plan had swirled around city.
It was during the run-up to the vote where it appears that the Bhalla administration aligned with the school board and lines in the sand were drawn.
Bhalla and his allies came out in support of the high school plans, while some of the opposition council members came out against it. Groups formed and rallied against proposed school and an angry public soundly defeated the referendum.
One of the major reasons for its defeat? A lack of transparency. And some board members later admitted holding it from the public for so long was a mistake.
The battle appears to have continued. Bhalla, his allies, and his opposition would lock heads on other contentious issues — a proposed $192 million municipal complex, cannabis dispensaries and last year’s school board election.
All of those flashpoints also had issues over transparency. Charlie Poggi, the owner of the site that the city wanted to acquire for the complex, accused city officials of not communicating with him.
Then there’s the disputes over cannabis in the city. The proposed Story Dispensary has sparked controversy over its location as well as its ties to Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop and Assemblyman Raj Mukherji. Last year’s heated school board election also featured debates over transparency.
A watchdog group called “Hoboken for Responsible Cannabis” was formed in the wake of multiple cannabis controversies, and a person who led the opposition to the school proposal tried to used the energy as a springboard to the school board itself.
More than seven years after being hired, Johnson finds herself in the spotlight over her resume. The Board of Education said in a statement that Johnson “has taken full responsibility” over her doctorate, and that it would not comment further.
“The board believes that the superintendent’s track record speaks for itself,” said the board.
So far, elected officials have declined to comment on the report regarding Johnson, but a few did praise her record in the school district.
“Mayor Bhalla thanks Johnson for her continued service to the students and families of Hoboken,” said Hoboken spokeswoman Marilyn Baer. “Under her consistent leadership, more and more families are choosing to stay in Hoboken and take advantage of the Hoboken school district and its remarkable programs.”
