New Jersey Education Chief Axed Over 'Race to the Top' Blunder

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie fired the state's education chief Friday because of a blunder that may have cost the state a $400-million education grant.

Bret Schundler had served as commissioner since March and is a former gubernatorial candidate and ex-mayor of Jersey City.

New Jersey missed receiving federal "Race to the Top" funds by only a few points, and later it was revealed by Newark's Star-Ledger that the state reported budget figures for the wrong years on the application.

When New Jersey missed the cut, the governor initially blamed federal officials and defended Schundler, saying the commissioner provided the required information. But a video released Thursday by the U.S. Education Department proved otherwise and Christie said he was forced to let Schundler go.

"I was extremely disappointed to learn that the videotape of the Race to the Top presentation was not consistent with the information provided to me by the New Jersey Department of Education and which I then conveyed to the people of New Jersey," Christie said in a statement Friday. "As a result, I ordered an end to Bret Schundler's service as New Jersey's education commissioner and as a member of my administration."

Late Friday, Schundler (pictured) spoke briefly with WCBS-TV in New York.

"I'm disappointed," Schundler said. "I thought we were working well. And I think we had the ability to do great things here. I am hopeful that the department will continue to do great things with the governor."

A total of 40 states and Washington, D.C., competed for a portion of $4.35 billion aimed at boosting under-performing schools.