Title
Dept/ Agency: Offices of Municipal Council/City Clerk
Action: ( ) Ratifying (X) Authorizing ( ) Amending
Type of Service: Opposing
Purpose: Opposing the One Newark Plan of the State run Newark School System
Additional Information:
body
WHEREAS, the Newark Public Schools have been under state control for 19 years and according to state metrics have made considerable progress; and
WHEREAS, the state, rather than working to return Newark public schools to the community has taken steps to secure its control over the school district; and
WHEREAS, the state appointed Superintendent has a plan called One Newark that would disrupt the progress of our schools and further lead to the privatization of public education and the loss of community voice and accountability over them; and
WHEREAS, there is insufficient evidence that the model offered in the One Newark plan will lead to improved student achievement; and
WHEREAS, research indicates that Newark Public Schools are in some instances outperforming the very charters that are planned to take them over under the One Newark plan; and
WHEREAS, the impact of school closings and/or conversions to charter schools will undermine the fabric of our communities
WHEREAS, research indicates that the harms from these closings and takeovers will be disproportionately visited on more vulnerable student populations; and
WHEREAS, parents, students, teachers and community members have protested the implementation of the One Newark Plan at every turn; and
WHEREAS, Newark deserves school leadership that will rebuild bridges between schools, communities and families, not disrupt them; and
WHEREAS, the New Jersey State Legislature has heard testimony that the current administration of Newark Public Schools is seeking to use the One Newark plan to close schools without having properly followed state regulations; and
WHEREAS, evidence and traditional practice do not support the policy of firing and displacing teachers as a strategy of school improvement.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE MUNICIPAL COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NEWARK, NEW JERSEY, THAT:
The Council opposes the One Newark Plan and calls on the administration of the school district to halt its implementation.
The Council calls on the New Jersey State Legislature to act to ensure a speedy restoration of community control of Newark schools.
The Council calls for greater transparency and community input in the school district's planning process and for a more inclusive and effective leadership.
STATEMENT
This resolution states the Municipal Council's position in opposition to the One Newark Plan currently being implemented by the State run Newark School System