[Trenton, NJ] The Commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Education (NJDOE) has approved the transition plan that will allow for the full return of operational control to Newark Public Schools (NPS) to take formal effect on February 1, 2018. Newark Public Schools Superintendent Chris Cerf presented the approved transition plan to the Newark Public Schools board at their public meeting this week.
“This plan puts the district in the best position to transition to full local control, while ensuring that it builds on the progress it has made over the years,” said Governor Chris Christie. “This is something we have been working toward throughout my administration and was made possible through the leadership of our Education Commissioner, Superintendent Cerf, school administrators, teachers, parents, and the community.”
In September, the State Board of Education approved a resolution requiring the Newark Public Schools and the NJDOE to collaborate on the creation of a transition plan to full local control. The transition plan was developed with direct input from the Newark community through public meetings in November, and based on feedback from the NPS staff, NPS Board members, the Newark Education Success Board and representatives from the Mayor’s office. The comprehensive transition plan calls for the local advisory board to become the official Newark Board of Education on February 1, 2018, and includes a detailed timeline and set of milestones to guide the district’s transition over a period of two years.
“Thank you to the leaders of Newark for their collaboration on this transition plan, and congratulations to the district staff, board members and the Newark community on this historic milestone,” said Education Commissioner Kimberley Harrington.
Source: http://www.state.nj.us/education/news/2017/1221new.htm