Newark Public Schools, Mayor’s Office and Newark Trust for Education
NEWARK, New Jersey –November 3, 2017 – Nearly 250 people attended a series of five simulanteous meetings earlier this week on the return of local control of Newark Public Schools (NPS) from the state of New Jersey back to Newark. The meetings, which were held at a school in each of the city’s five wards, were held in conjunction with the Office of Mayor Ras J. Baraka and the Newark Trust for Education, headed by Ron Chalusian.
Superintendent of Schools Christopher D. Cerf said, “The Local Planning Meeting provided an important opportunity for parents, elected officials, and community stakeholders to comment on the future of NPS and more importantly, the education of Newark schoolchildren.” He continued, “It is vitally important that we listen to the interests of parents in ensuring their children have the best opportunity for success in education and in life.”
The meetings were held at Central High School, Belmont Runyon, Elliott Street, and Oliver Street Schools, and Speedway Academies.
Mayor Ras J. Baraka said, “We are interested in the well-being of our young people in Newark. Ultimately our goal is to make our young people successful and to create a pipeline of success from elementary school, to high school to college. He continued, we need your voice, your input and your engagement to ensure our children are a success in school and in life.”
The meeting focused on three core responsibilities according to the state Department of Education. The three areas discussed at the Local Planning Meetings were 1) School board Ethics and Expectations, 2) Hiring a Superintendent and 3) School Board, District and Community Collaboration Going Forward.” In addition the meeting focused on Core Responsibilities; including school board responsibilities, superintendent responsibilities and finally collective responsibilities.
Planning around the transition from state control to local control will continue. Next, the Newark School Board will implement the full return transition plan that includes; engaging in a superintendent search and hiring a superintendent; holding a public referendum to determine if school board members will be elected or be appointed by the Mayor; and identifying specific areas for further training for board members.