Camden's Absentee Superintendent Has Many Outraged
By Jericka Duncan
CAMDEN, NJ (CBS) – The Camden City School District's Superintendent Bessie LeFra Young makes more than $240,000 a year. But lately, she hasn't been showing up for work. She's missed more than 180 days in the last two years.
Now, with one year left under her contract, she's hoping the School Board approves a buyout settlement tonight.
"She needs to get fired, she's the worst," said parent Aideren Acette. "I go to all the meetings; she's never there."
We requested Young's attendance record from the board of education and found that in the 2010-2011 school year she took 20 vacation days, 53 sick days, 5 personal and 5 funeral days.
As of February, she's used 33 vacation days, 11.5 sick days, 5 personal days and was absent without pay for 55.5 days during the 2011-2012 school year
Camden City Mayor Dana Redd says the amount of time Young has missed is unacceptable. She expects the board will make the right decision.
"It's up to the board to make a decision that is in the interest of the youth and our city," said Redd.
We spoke to Young's husband at her Williamstown, New Jersey home, and he would only speak from the foyer. He says his wife had a hip replacement, and that's part of the reason she's missed so many days.
