ASBURY PARK, N.J. – Asbury Park’s school superintendent is facing allegations of creating a hostile work environment for older employees. Two lawsuits filed by administrators claim that Superintendent RaShawn M. Adams favored younger employees and pressured older workers to retire before being placed on administrative leave. The lawsuits, filed by a former school security manager and a current administrator in Monmouth County, accuse Adams of regularly scrutinizing the work of older employees and redistributing their responsibilities to younger staff members.
Adams was placed on immediate administrative leave by the Asbury Park school district on February 22. The reasons behind his leave have not been disclosed by officials, and it remains uncertain if the action is connected to the lawsuits. When asked about the lawsuits, Adams declined to comment and directed questions to the school board’s attorney. The district’s communications coordinator also referred inquiries to the school board attorney, who stated that the board will not comment on personnel matters and pending litigation.
Since Adams’ departure, Mark Gerbino, a district administrator, has been serving as the acting superintendent. One of the lawsuits was filed by Louis Jordan, a military veteran and retired law enforcement officer who served as the school district’s security manager for nearly 14 years. Jordan’s lawsuit, filed in Monmouth County Superior Court, claims that he was terminated in October due to his age and replaced by a less experienced younger male employee. According to the lawsuit, Jordan was told by Adams in May 2023 that his position was going to be abolished the following month. However, the state or county intervened, preventing the position’s elimination, and Jordan stayed on the job.
The second lawsuit was filed by Kristie Howard-Morris, the director of student services, who alleges that she was placed on administrative suspension in January as retaliation for reporting Adams’ discriminatory actions. Howard-Morris’ lawsuit claims that Adams created an uncomfortable work environment for older employees, openly criticizing their work and reassigning their responsibilities to younger staff members. The superintendent allegedly attempted to move Howard-Morris into the role of athletic director and requested the abolition of her position, but the school board rejected the request.
Both lawsuits assert that Adams, the school board, and the Asbury Park School District violated the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination. It remains to be seen how these cases will proceed and what further actions may be taken in response to the allegations against the superintendent.