A new superintendent has been appointed to lead Camden\u2019s public schools, the New Jersey Department of Education announced Wednesday.<\/p>\n
Alfonso Q. Llano Jr. was recommended to helm the Camden school district by the NJDOE, officials said. <\/p>\n
\u201cMr. Llano\u2019s distinguished career and proven leadership uniquely position him to guide Camden\u2019s schools into their next chapter of success,\u201d said NJDOE Commissioner Kevin Dehmer. \u201cFor more than 27 years, he has advanced academic performance, expanded opportunities for all learners, and built systems that support students, families, and educators.\u201d<\/p>\n
Llano, who is currently the superintendent of Vineland Public Schools<\/a> in Cumberland County, will begin his tenure in Camden on March 1, officials said. <\/p>\n \u201cI am honored to serve the incredible Camden community and remain deeply committed to transparent, collaborative leadership,\u201d Llano said in a statement. \u201cI am eager to begin this work with a clear focus on ensuring every student has access to the high-quality opportunities they deserve, and I look forward to building strong partnerships that will help us achieve this shared vision.\u201d<\/p>\n Llano previously served as the acting superintendent of Trenton public schools before joining the Vineland school district. He has held several different leadership roles throughout his career. <\/p>\n Davida Coe-Brockington, a longtime educator and administrator in Camden was appointed to lead the district<\/a> on an interim basis July 1, after Katrina McCombs resigned to take a position with the NJDOE. <\/p>\n McCombs announced her resignation in March 2025 <\/a>to become the assistant commissioner in the Division of Early Childhood Services. <\/p>\n McCombs, a native of Camden who taught in the district for several years before becoming superintendent, was appointed in 2019<\/a> after a year serving in an interim role after Paymon Rouhanifard resigned<\/a>.<\/p>\n Rouhanifard was appointed to lead the district after the state took control in 2013. <\/p>\n McCombs led the district through a challenging 2024 as a sexual assault lawsuit<\/a> went to trial against advisory board president Wasim Muhammad. The suit was originally filed in 2021 by a former student who alleged the abuse occurred in the 1990s when Muhammad was a teacher in the district.<\/p>\n In 2024, a jury awarded the woman $1.6 million<\/a> in damages, finding that Muhammad caused her trauma and that the district was negligent in preventing it.<\/p>\n Muhammad, who has always maintained his innocence regarding the allegations in the lawsuit, initially took a leave of absence from the board after the lawsuit\u2019s existence came to light. Gov. Murphy and other leaders called for his resignation.<\/p>\n Muhammad returned to the board in July 2024 after the civil trial had ended. Parents and community organizers staged a protest outside the August 2024 school board meeting to demand Muhammad<\/a> step down.<\/p>\n