Camden School Board President Resigns After Strong Backlash – NBC10 Philadelphia

Wasim Muhammed, president of the Camden School Board, has resigned from his post after facing heavy criticism over a settlement in a sexual assault case.

In his resignation letter, Muhammed wrote:

“It is with a heavy heart that I write to announce that I am resigning from my position as Chair of the Camden School District School Board. I will no longer serve on the Board or as Chair. I feel it bears repeating that after my long journey through the legal system, I have been found innocent of the outrageous charges brought against me and acquitted by a jury of my peers.

However, despite this judicial exoneration, I feel I have become a distraction due to the blatant misinformation spread by a small group of critics. I believe my presence takes the focus away from the incredibly important goals of educating our students and improving outcomes for the children in the school district. Going forward, I will continue to serve our city as a resident and will continue to work hard as a member of the clergy and as a community leader to improve our neighborhoods. In the future, my title may change, but that will never extinguish the fire I have to support the members of my community and work to make the city a better place to live.”

This came just weeks after a chaotic school board meeting in which dozens of parents called on Muhammad to resign or be fired.

In response to the anger of the public, Camden School District Superintendent Katrina McCombs called on Muhammed to resign.

“In order for our community to heal and refocus on what really matters – the education and future of our students – it would be in the best interest of the state-run Camden City District if Advisory Board Chair Wasim Muhammad would voluntarily resign his seat,” McCombs wrote in a letter.

Muhammad, formerly known as Donnie Walker, was accused of sexually abusing a middle school student 30 years ago while he was a teacher.

In June, a jury in a civil case found that he “recklessly and intentionally engaged in extreme and outrageous conduct,” although they did not believe he sexually abused the student. The Camden City School District reached a $2 million settlement with the former student.

Former student Salema Robinson spoke to NBC10 a few weeks ago and said she was confused why Muhammad had not resigned yet.

Robinson moved to the South decades ago, but watched the live stream of the school board meeting discussing her case, Muhammad.

“When I think about it, I have a physical, instinctive reaction. My stomach hurts,” Robinson said. “I have trouble trusting myself and my judgment. I have a lot of trouble sleeping,” she said.

Resources for victims of sexual assault are available through the National Sexual Violence Resources Center and the National Sexual Assault Telephone Hotline at 800-656-4673.