Public Budget Hearing Vote Allows Question to Appear on the Ballot for April 16 Vote

[NEWARK, NJ, March 28, 2019] The Newark Board of Education (NBOE) last night unanimously approved the FY 2019-2020 School Budget which totals nearly $1.1 billion. The budget takes into consideration a number of factors; including an increase of $24.8 million in state aid, an increase in the NBOE allocation to Newark charter schools, transportation and the cost of educating Newark children attending school outside of the school district. The budget also reflects a decrease in some spending by the NBOE and a total contribution of fund balance in the amount of $57 million, more than any other district in the state, percentage-wise.

State aid for Newark increased by $24.8 million raising the annual state aid contribution to $812 million. The budget also reflects an increase in payments to charter schools reflecting a cost of nearly $289 million and the cost of educating Newark students in out of district placements in the amount of $44 million.

Additionally, the FY 2019-2020 budget reflects curriculum improvements, school facility improvements and upgrades and initiatives focused on improving the academic and overall school experience for students, according to Newark Schools Superintendent Roger León. He added, “Our charge is to take our students from very good to great and for them to be intelligent and contributing residents of Newark and the world. Our investment in them today, will yield superior students and citizens in the future.”

Board Chairperson, Josephine C. Garcia said, “We are counting on our residents because they play a very important role in shaping the future of our most valuable assets, our students.”

Finally, the NBOE budget also reflects a $2.7 million increase in the tax levy for Newark taxpayers. This increase, according to NBOE Business Administrator Valerie Wilson, remains at the 2% minimum allowable by the state. Ms. Wilson added, “The tax increase reflects an average increase in property taxes of $38 a year on a home valued at $175,000 – which amounts to approximately 10¢ a day. Our goal is not to have a negative impact on the citizens of Newark, yet to have a transformative impact on our students.”

This is the first time in 22 years’ residents of Newark can vote on the Newark Board of Education School budget. The election to vote on the budget, as well as NBOE School board candidates is Tuesday, April 16. The Superintendent added, “We are encouraging all Newark citizens to vote yes on the School Budget, so that we can go forward to build upon the greatness of our district and more importantly, our students.”

To review the FY 2019-2020 Budget, click here.

Conference Prepares Parents, Students & Advocates on Student Supports & Services

[Newark, NJ] The 2019 SPAN Parent Leadership & Advocacy Conference will be held this Saturday, March 23 from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at NJIT, 154 Summit Street in Newark. You can register online at parentleadershipconference2019.eventbrite.com and use the Promo Code: NPS.

The conference is a collaboration between SPAN Parent Advocacy Network and the Newark Board of Education. According to Carolyn Granato, Executive Director of Special Education, the conference is being held to provide information on student support services, including how parents and caretakers can best advocate for their children.

Ms. Granato said, “We encourage parents to come and spend the day to learn important tools to advocate for their children; across services, such as health, mental health, family support, human services and child welfare systems.” She added that individuals who attend the conference will also receive a certificate of their participation. Finally, the Conference will provide information on knowing your rights, how to best advocate for children, how to prepare for life after high school and identify important resources and information to help you navigate schools, agencies and government.

Workshop Topics include; Create Change: A Policy Forum: Discussion of Issues Impacting Children and Families. This particular workshop will also address making action plans, addressing issues around race, injustice and poverty and public policy and how it impacts the academic and life experience for your children.

The conference will also address issues impacting children and families, helping to build parent leaders, changing school leadership and more. Also addressed will be topics such as building relationships with policymakers, serving on parent groups, and using technology for community organizing.

According to conference organizers, attendees will receive a comprehensive training to prepare them for almost any issue, topic or subject that may arise in a school environment or impact your children as students in New Jersey and Newark.

NEWARK, NJ – March 18, 2019 – The Newark Board of Education and Superintendent Roger León will host a series of community meetings to discuss next steps regarding the strategic plan and the future of education in Newark.  The meetings are free and open to the general public. Two of the meetings will be held this week; the first on Wednesday, March 20, at Barringer High School and the second meeting will be held on Thursday, March 21 at Central High School.  Both meetings will be held from 6–8 p.m. Barringer H.S. is located at 90 Parker Street and Central H.S. is located at 246 18^th Avenue. 

The purpose of the Community Meeting is to further engage community stakeholders; parents, students, community leaders and other civic-minded people to participate in the educational direction of Newark, according to Superintendent Roger León. The Superintendent said, “Educating our children is everyone’s responsibility and our priority.  The community meetings are the next steps in identifying solutions, and planning for the future of educating the children of Newark.” 

A meeting will be held in every ward to afford the community an opportunity to attend a meeting in their neighborhood.  The launch of the ward community meetings, follows the citywide Community Conversations on Education held in January, at which more than 300 community stakeholders attended the evening session.

Additional Community Meetings on Education will be held on Tuesday, April 2 at East Side High School, Wednesday, April 3 at Shabazz High School, Tuesday, April 9 at Weequahic High School and Wednesday, April 10 at West Side High School. 

The public is encouraged to attend one of the six community meetings. Superintendent León said, “This is your opportunity to have a voice on the important topic of education in Newark, as we prepare our children for their future.”