The following text was read at the 1/22/2014 Council Meeting and was followed by a motion proposed by Councilman John Abeigon and agreed to by all the members of the Council asking for the City Council to send a letter to the Governor, the Commissioner of Education, clergy, business leaders, Parents Associations, etc., denouncing the Superintendent’s plan.
"Once again, the Superintendent of the Newark Public Schools has proposed major changes to the existing educational system. And, before we go any further, let me assure you that, in view of the results produced over the years, I am in favor of reform. Reform that can lead us to the improvement of the quality of those who have the responsibility to teach our children and manage our schools; reform related to the way our children’s parents are involved in the decision-making process; reform on the commitment made by the Superintendent to provide stronger support for our neighborhood schools and make them real neighborhood schools; reform on how public funds are spent so our children who attend schools like Ann Street and others don’t have to suffer without heat.
"For the entire time that Ms. Anderson has been the Superintendent of the Newark Public Schools, we have met once, in the very beginning of her tenure and at my request. In view of has happened lately, I have requested several times that the Superintendent appear before the Municipal Council and provide some reasonable explanation as to why, when, and where Universal Enrolment is going to be implemented. As expected, those requests have fallen in deaf ears. By now, we should realize that this attitude is part of a type of behavior that borders on arrogance and contempt toward the duly elected members of the Newark Municipal Council. Unfortunately, this is not the first time that this has occurred. I’m still waiting for an answer as to the reason why the 2 million dollars, as bond money, were not used to acquire the property located across the street from the site where the new Oliver Street School is being built, which was guaranteed by Superintendent Bolden and by Superintendent Janey.
"And now, here we are! Without the knowledge or support of the Newark Municipal Council, Superintendent Anderson decides to propose the implementation of Universal Enrolment.
"The announced closing of several schools in the City of Newark to convert them to Charter schools is not the answer to the problem related to poor academic achievement. The city of Philadelphia created Universal Enrolment without creating chaos or closing any public schools. Positive reform can be implemented without the need for radical and destructive change. We have the responsibility to denounce this plan of action and should not sit idle while Ms. Anderson tries to shove it down everyone’s throat. Ms. Anderson’s behavior in ignoring the members of the Municipal Council reflects an attitude of clear contempt for the responsibility we all have in the education of our children and should be, strongly, denounced.
Therefore, I propose, through a Council Motion, that a letter denouncing this plan be sent to the Governor, the Commissioner of Education, our State officials, the business and clergy communities, the parents’ organizations, etc."