Christopher Cerf

	Christopher Cerf
	New Jersey Commissioner of Education
	Incumbent
	In office
	January 18, 2011 - Present
Years in position	2
Party	Non-partisan
Predecessor	Rochelle Hendricks
	Compensation
Base salary	$141,000
	Elections and appointments
Appointed	December 10, 2010
Appointed by	Gov. Chris Christie (R)
Term limits	N/A
	Education
Bachelor's	Amherst College (1977)
J.D.	Columbia Law School
Other	Broad Urban Superintendents Academy (2004)
	Personal
Place of birth	Montclair, New Jersey
Websites
	Office website

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Biography

Cerf began his career as a history teacher at Cincinnati Country Day School in Cincinnati, Ohio. After earning his law degree, Cerf went on to serve as a clerk in the U.S. Appellate and U.S. Supreme Courts, followed by private law practice. He also served as Associate Counsel to the President in the Clinton Administration from 1994-1996.^[2]

Education

Graduate, Broad Urban Superintendents Academy, 2004
JD, Columbia Law School
Graduate, Amherst College, 1977

Political career

New Jersey Commissioner of Education (2011-present)

Cerf has served as New Jersey Commissioner of Education since January 18, 2011.

Cerf finally became certified as commissioner on July 26, 2012 - some 18 months after his nomination by the governor. His appointment was held up when state Sen. Ron Rice (D) blocked Cerf without providing a reason, a practice which is known as senatorial courtesy. In response, Christie refused to appoint any new judges in Essex County until the Senate Judiciary Committee considered Cerf's appointment.^[3]

Cerf's hearing was further delayed after he said in an interview that he lived in "Montclair," then corrected himself to say "Montgomery." While he owned a home in Montclair, he had moved to an apartment in Montgomery and the confusion upset the committee. Although he finally did win unanimous approval from the Senate committee on July 26, 2012, it was not before hours of Cerf listing his ambitions for the department and being grilled by Democrats.^[4]

===Deputy Chancellor, New York City Department of Education (2004-2009)

Appointments

2010

Cerf was appointed as New Jersey Commissioner of Education by Governor Chris Christie (R) on December 20, 2010.

Christie stated, “I am thankful that Chris Cerf is bringing to New Jersey his passion for education and experienced leadership to help enact the bold and innovative education measures we need to finally bring a quality education to every child in our state. Mr. Cerf's innovative leadership will be invaluable as we address the civil rights issue of our time."^[2]

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