Press Releases

The Newark Board of Education Approves the Appointment of New Principals for the 2022-23 School Year

Newark, NJ, [June 27, 2022] Superintendent León and the Newark Board of Education are pleased to announce the appointment of 10 new Principals for the 2022–23 school year. All of the candidates participated in a rigorous interview process consisting of meetings with key members of the community, students, staff, and the Superintendent.

Superintendent León said, “I am thrilled to announce one of the most diverse group of principal candidates to be named Principal for SY 2022-23.” He added, “This cohort of candidates is a shining example of internal mobility at its best, and the School Leadership Councils were instrumental in helping to identify this talented group of Principals.”

“As I have said in the past, being a principal is the most important leadership role in our schools and we look forward to providing the support needed to be successful,” said Dawn Haynes, President of the Newark Board of Education.

American History High School - Meg Murray
Meg Murray held many positions after starting her career with the Newark Board; Curriculum Developer, Teacher of English, Department Chair, and most recently Vice Principal of East Side High School. Ms. Murray studied at the University of Illinois, Columbia University’s Teacher’s College, and University of Phoenix. 

Avon Avenue Elementary School - Krishna Dalal Barroso
Krishna Dalal Barroso started her career as a Teacher at Avon Avenue School where she rose to become Vice Principal and has served in that role for the past eight years. Ms. Barroso studied at Seton Hall University and Rutgers University. 

Dr. E. Alma Flagg - Filipa Alexandra Silva
Filipa Alexandra Silva began her career with the Newark Board of Education as a Teacher, followed by becoming an English as a Second Language Teacher, Operations Manager, and most recently Vice Principal of Salomé Ureña Elementary School. Ms. Silva studied at Drew University, St. Elizabeth College, and Grand Canyon University.

East Side High School - Carlos M. Rodriguez
Carlos Rodriguez began his career at the Newark Board of Education as a substitute, moving on to become a Teacher, Lead Technology Coordinator, Teacher Coach, and most recently Vice Principal of East Side High School. Mr. Rodriguez studied at Kean University and Saint Peter’s University.

Elliott Street School - Andres Barquin
Andres Barquin began his career as an elementary school teacher with the Newark Board of Education. He also served as an After-School Programs Lead, a Vice Principal, Summer Principal, and most recently Special Assistant to the North Ward Leadership Team. Mr. Barquin studied at Thomas Edison State College, Grand Canyon University, and Caldwell College. 

Ironbound Academy - Erica L. Paich
Erica Paich started her career as an Instructional Coach for school administrators, teachers, and students, then became a Special Assistant and most recently served as Director of Enrollment. She studied at Rutgers University, Kean University, and Rowan University. 

Luis Muñoz Marin - Daniel Guerra
Daniel Guerra started his Newark Board of Education career as an elementary school teacher and became an After-School Program Director, Summer Principal, and most recently Vice Principal of Elliott Street School. Mr. Guerra studied at Essex County College, Montclair State University, and John Hopkins University.

McKinley Elementary School - Dr. Lynnette Dortrait
Lynnette Dortrait joined the Newark Board of Education as Vice Principal of Dr. William H. Horton Elementary School where she has served for the past three years. Ms. Dortrait studied at Rider University and St. Peter’s University.

Quitman Street School - Dr. Courtney R. Johnson
Courtney Johnson held a variety of positions since joining the Newark Board of Education; Substitute Teacher, Teacher Coach, School Operations Manager, Supervisor, and most recently, Special Assistant of the High School Leadership Team. Ms. Johnson studied at the College of New Jersey, Capella University, and New Jersey City University.

Sir Isaac Newton - Tiffany Wicks
Tiffany Wicks started her career with the district as an Intern and became a Teacher, After-School Coordinator, Supervisor, and most recently Vice Principal of Sir Isaac Newton Elementary School. Ms. Wicks studied at Caldwell University, Montclair State University, and Seton Hall University.

Newark Board of Education Salutes Graduates of 2021-22

classof2022-group-photo

Newark, NJ, [June 23, 2022]. Today, Newark Public Schools is hosting graduation ceremonies for over 2,300 seniors from across 14 district high schools in celebration of the Class of 2022’s remarkable accomplishments.

Family, friends, staff, and community members will witness the achievements of this very special and historic class with 434 seniors achieving a GPA of 3.5 or better, 146 earning Associates Degrees, saving their parents over $12 million by taking college courses while in high school and earning more than $77 million in college scholarships.

In acknowledging their success, Superintendent León stated, “The Class of 2022 is making history. Their high school experience was disrupted by a global pandemic, making two of their four years like no other high school experience in history.” He added, “In adversity there is opportunity and our students have excelled at every level along the way. We are confident that all of our lives will be inherently better because of the accomplishments of the Class of 2022.”

During his comments, Superintendent León thanked the higher education partners, who are invaluable to our student success: Essex County College, Rutgers University-Newark, Montclair State University, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Seton Hall University, Kean University, Bard College, Bergen County Community College, and the newest partner to our dual enrollment program, Howard University.

Dawn Haynes, President of the Board said, “I continue to be impressed with our students. While they faced adversity, we continued to challenge them with rigorous curriculum offerings and our new FAFSA graduation requirement. They did exactly what we knew would happen when Newark’s children are challenged, they excelled.”

Graduating from High School comes with great happiness and joy. The graduating Class of 2022 in Newark has made phenomenally noteworthy accomplishments and we are extremely proud of every senior. We know great things are waiting for the Class of 2022 in the future and we wish them continued success and best wishes.

Newark Board of Education and CASA Reach Tentative Contract Agreement

[Newark, NJ, June 16, 2022] Roger León, Superintendent of Schools, Christine Taylor, President of City Association of School Administrators (CASA), and Walter V. Genuario of Local 20 of the American Federation of School Administrators and CASA Negotiations Team Chairperson are pleased to announce that the parties have arrived at a tentative agreement, which includes two contracts that span the 2020-21 through 2025-26 school years.

These contracts empower CASA school leaders to achieve and experience stability, secure in the knowledge and benefits of excellent contracts and impressive raises.

“This is a contract that our school leaders have worked tirelessly for and that they deserve,” said Superintendent León.

Ms. Taylor said, “It has been a long time in the making, and we are excited to present a contract to our members that is worthy of their consideration.”

Sharing the Superintendent’s sentiment, Board President Dawn Haynes said, “I am pleased that our school leaders are getting a settlement that is deserving of their contributions.”

The parties eagerly look forward to working together for the benefit of our children, our schools and our city. The ratification date is scheduled for Monday, June 20, 2022.

NBOE Celebrates the 2021-2022 Teacher of The Year

Facebook Live Video

NBOE Teacher of the Year

[NEWARK, NJ] Today, June 8, 2022, Superintendent Roger León of Newark Public Schools surprised Newark’s Teacher of the Year, Mrs. Jessica Cruz Tavares. Members of the school board, administration, students, and family joined in on the surprise at Lafayette Street School as part of an annual tradition commemorating Newark’s best educators.

“Every year, it is with pride that I announce and introduce the Newark Board of Education’s Teacher of the Year, and this year is no different,” said Superintendent León. It is an honor to have Mrs. Tavares, who personifies what it means to be committed to ensuring that students receive the academic and emotional tools needed to be successful, as the district’s Teacher of the Year.”

Mrs. Tavares has been teaching middle school science at Lafayette Street School since 2014. She was nominated and selected based on her interdisciplinary approach to teaching that centers on student growth, which is both challenging and engaging. As a teacher leader, she is highly respected by her peers and students and was elated by the recognition. She consistently gives back to the profession by sharing her expertise and knowledge of teaching and learning through interclass visitations and mentoring new teachers. Mrs. Tavares has compassion and sensitivity that allows her to connect with her students and others on a personal level.

“I really do appreciate the opportunity to teach here. I truly do love what I do each and every day,” stated Taveras. “My students are getting ready for high school so I try to encourage them to keep going and keep learning inside and outside the classroom.”

Lafayette Principal Maria Merlo said “Jessica is not just a teacher in this class, she's a teacher leader in the school. She has worn so many hats throughout the year to make things possible and I thank her from the bottom of my heart.”

Mrs. Tavares, who was bestowed with the distinction of district-wide teacher of the year, an honor she accepted with joyful tears while her school community beamed with pride, joins 63 other NBOE teachers, who have been recognized for their outstanding efforts in the classroom.

Board President, Dawn Hayes, said “To know that we have the absolute best is heartwarming. May your light shine on all the teachers around you so that they can strive to be the district-wide teacher of the year in the future.”

In closing, Superintendent León shared a special message of appreciation and thanks to all of the teachers of the district for their commitment, dedication, and excellence in the classroom.

For the full list of TOTY:  2021-22 NBOE Teacher of the Year

Gallaudet University: Clerc Center Collaboration Visits Bruce Street School for the Deaf and Technology High School

Superintendent León, Marianne Belsky, Chief Academic Officer for the Clerc Center at Gallaudet and Carolyn Granato, Assistant Superintendent for the Office of Student Supports
Superintendent León, Marianne Belsky, Chief Academic Officer for the Clerc Center at Gallaudet and Carolyn Granato, Assistant Superintendent for the Office of Student Supports

Newark, June 6, 2022, The Newark Board of Education welcomes Marianne Belsky, the Chief Academic Officer for the Laurent Clerc Center at Gallaudet University.  This three-day visit highlighted our auditory programs at Bruce Street School for the Deaf and Technology High School.

Over the past few years, a delegation from the district has visited the Kendall Demonstration Elementary School (KDES), the Model Secondary School for the Deaf (MSSD), and Gallaudet University in Washington, DC.  These schools, in the nation’s capital, serve as the gold standard and leading model for auditory programs across the country.  The purpose of our visits was to observe best practices within the classrooms for students who are deaf and hard of hearing, and incorporate that learning into our redesign strategy outlined in the ten-year strategic plan here in Newark.  The delegation included Superintendent Leon, Assistant Superintendent of Student Support Services Carolyn Granato, Special Education Director Marilyn Mitchell, the administration and staff of both schools, as well as, students from Technology High School.

This week, the objective of Marianne Belsky’s visit to Newark was to identify training and technical assistance needs to enhance, improve, and modify our existing deaf and hard of hearing program at both schools.  During Phase 1, Marianne Belsky, Chief Academic Officer from the Laurent Clerc Center visited Bruce Street School for the Deaf and the Auditory Impairments Program at Technology High School to conduct classroom observations of the programs, review current curriculum materials, and engaged with staff, students and their families.  At the conclusion of the debriefing of the site visits today and in moving forward, the Clerc Center will assist the schools and the district in outlining key strategies, professional development opportunities, curriculum recommendations, and facilities modifications to assist us in becoming one of the leading models in the country and one of the preferred schools of choice in the northeast.

In recent years, we visited Katzenbach in New Jersey to highlight auditory programs of excellence here in our great state, and we look forward to working collaboratively with them as well as our friends at these three schools in Washington, DC.

For additional information, please visit:

NBOE Strategic Plan – The Next Decade:  https://newark.apppresser.com/mdocs-posts/nboe-strategic-plan-the-next-decade/

Bruce Street School:  https://newark.apppresser.com/bru/

Newark Board of Education Increases Teachers’ Starting Salary to $62,000

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June 9, 2022

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Newark, NJ—In a historic contract reopener, the Newark Board of Education and the Newark Teachers Union have agreed to raise the district’s new teacher starting salary to $62,000 per year. In a briefing with his staff, Superintendent León thanked district negotiators and the NTU bargaining team for this expeditious resolution that will make Newark one of the most competitive urban school systems in the Northeast. 

In order to recruit new teachers and retain veteran teachers, the Newark Board of Education needed to be competitive with other school districts. Some districts’ labor agreements expired during the pandemic, so their teachers’ salaries have been raised as part of the process of reaching their next labor agreements. Other districts re-opened negotiations mid-contract during the pandemic to raise teachers’ salaries as an incentive for recruitment and retention. Because the current agreement between the Newark Board and its teachers’ union, the NTU, runs through the 2023-24 school year, immediate action was required. 

“While teacher shortages across the nation have been exacerbated by the global pandemic, we in Newark are leveraging multiple strategies to attract and retain great teachers,” said Superintendent Roger León. “These new salaries will attract fresh talent and at the same time foster retention by increasing the salaries of experienced teachers.” The increase to $62,000 will attract and improve the recruitment of new teachers, especially for student teachers and college graduates looking forward to entering the teaching profession. The re-opener will also increase the salaries of all teachers who currently earn less than the new teacher salary, also to $62,000, and retention of all other teachers is addressed with increases of $1,000 over the next two years. 

In addition, Newark’s new hires in critical areas (mathematics, science, special education, bilingual education, and English as a second language) are eligible for a $4,000 signing bonus, and all district employees are eligible for a $1,000 bonus for referral of a new teacher that is successfully on-boarded.   

With these new salaries and bonuses, the Newark Public Schools will be competitive with every school district in the State to hire and retain the best and brightest teachers at a time when there is a tremendous shortage of teachers. “The importance of this agreement cannot be overstated. I want to thank our negotiations team and the district for demonstrating leadership and foresight,” said John Abeigon, NTU President. 

Dawn Haynes, President of the Board of Education, added, “We have to continue to find creative ways to attract stellar teachers.  This recent development with the reopener is just one more example of doing just that.”

For more information on how to become a teacher with the Newark Public Schools, visit www.teachnewark.com.