Atlantic City Superintendent of Schools La’Quetta Small.
By LYNDA COHEN
ATLANTIC CITY – All eyes were on Atlantic City Superintendent of Schools La’Quetta Small Tuesday, as she attended the first school board meeting since she and her husband, Atlantic City Mayor Marty Small Sr., where charged with child endangerment for alleged attacks on their 16-year-old daughter.
But nothing came during the public portion of the meeting.
The superintendent gave her usual report and then introduced the results of the annual audit, which found no issues in the school district’s books.
“We have no comment on personnel matters,” Board of Education President Shay Steele said, as reporters surrounded him after the board broke for executive session.
When asked if La’Quetta Small would be among the personnel issues discussed in the closed session, he replied, “Possibly … possibly,” nodding slightly.
A return to public session about an hour later again ended without a word about the charges against the superintendent.
But anyone familiar with the Smalls could easily spot the quiet support in the audience. Several in the crowd were wearing red, the signature color for Delta Sigma Theta, the sorority of Small and several others who are close to the family. Some were even wearing clothing with the emblem emblazoned.
Her husband also invokes the color when engaged in election battle with the call of “Here come the reds.”
The mayor was also there, approaching with a hug of support as she sat alone on the dais waiting for the meeting to start. He would not speak to reporters, explaining that legal counsel has told him not to talk.
While he has not given official comment, he hasn’t exactly been quiet. He has made it clear he will not step down from his post, and that he is not worried about the charges against him and his wife. The mayor has punctuated this sentiment in social media posts that include hashtags like #unbothered #teamsmall and #aintnostoppingusnow.
In contrast, La’Quetta Small — as is her custom — has kept away from the spotlight.
The superintendent has backing on the school board, including President Steele, who handpicked the panel that conducted the superintendent search.
The state Department of Education has refused to answer BreakingAC’s questions about potential ethics violations at that time, since Steele was conflicted from being a part of the search. Both his wife and father work for the district.
Constance Days-Chapman
Atlantic City High School Principal Constance Days-Chapman is on leave as a result of her criminal charges related to the Smalls’ case.
It was unclear whether Days-Chapman stepped down from her position voluntarily or was removed.
Asked about that detail Tuesday night, the board’s president said he could not comment.
He explained that the board had not given the former principal a Rice notice, a requirement before discussing a personnel matter.
Days-Chapman was supposed to have her first appearance in court Wednesday, but her attorney, Lee Vartan, told BreakingAC he waived the hearing.
She is now scheduled to appear May 20 before Superior Court Judge Bernard DeLury, according to the court.
The Smalls are scheduled for an appearance in in court on May 15.
Parents received notification April 12 that the High School’s interim principal would be Donald Harris, who has several relatives in the district. Two of them were at Tuesday night’s meeting – former Superintendent Barry Caldwell and his wife, longtime administrator Gabby Jacobs Caldwell. Both are now retired, they told BreakingAC.
Jacobs Caldwell was wearing red.
