Nancy Solomon, Managing Editor, New Jersey Public Radio
Nancy Solomon is the Managing Editor of New Jersey Public Radio.
Newark Expected to Close 7 Failing Schools
Friday, February 03, 2012
Newark Mayor Cory Booker and Governor Chris Christie with Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg at the announcment of Zuckerberg's $100 million education donation.
(Cory Booker/Facebook)
Newark's school superintendent is expected to suggest closing seven failing schools as part of a package of district-wide reforms.
Cami Anderson has called a community meeting and press conference for Friday night to discuss the plan. She took over the school system last year, arriving at a time when anger and suspicion among parents and community members was running high.
Much of the fear centers on how the $100 million Facebook donation is being spent and the lack of local control over the schools, which have been run by the state for more than 20 years.
Anderson told The Star Ledger that the schools have been chosen in part because of poor performance and declining enrollment.
The plan will also reportedly involve an expansion of the city's magnet school system.
Friday night's meeting is expected to be crowded and raucous. Parents and community members have protested at several school board meetings over the past year whenever there was a hint of plan to close schools.
Leave a Comment
Register for your own account so you can vote on comments, save your favorites, and more. Learn more.
Please stay on topic, be civil, and be brief.
Email addresses are never displayed, but they are required to confirm your comments. Names are displayed with all comments. We reserve the right to edit any comments posted on this site. Please read the Comment Guidelines before posting. By leaving a comment, you agree to New York Public Radio's Privacy Policy and Terms Of Use.