Month: February 2014

A parent leader who criticized the “One Newark” plan pushed by state school superintendent Cami Anderson was arrested yesterday on charges he assaulted a central office administrator. Daryn Martin, president of the Parent Teacher Organization at the Ivy Hill School, was charged with “aggravated assault” but released on his own recognizance. If convicted, he faces three to five years in jail.

Cami Anderson, appointed by Gov. Chris Christie three years ago to run the Newark schools, should resign immediately because she represents a danger to the children and employees of New Jersey’s largest city. More than a week ago, she kept the schools open in Newark when all the schools in Essex and neighboring counties were closed-including Newark charter schools. Today, she did not order the schools closed until many children and employees were on their way or already in school. Most charter schools were closed by 7 a.m.

The controversial plan by the Christie administration to close, transfer to charters, or otherwise “repurpose” nearly half of the city’s public schools is illegal and must stop, according to the Education Law Center (ELC). The scheme, dubbed “One Newark,” has sparked widespread demonstrations and open hostility among city residents directed against state-appointed superintendent Cami Anderson.