Roger Léon, superintendent of Newark schools, wants to close four charter schools and ban most new ones.
Patrick Wall of Chalkbeat reports:
The head of the Newark school system is calling for the closure of four local charter schools and a ban on most new charter schools, a clear signal that the district hopes to rein in the city’s fast-growing charter sector.
The schools — M.E.T.S., People’s Prep, Roseville Community, and University Heights — are up for renewal, meaning they must apply for state approval to continue operating after this academic year. In a series of letters this month, Newark Public Schools Superintendent Roger León asked the state to reject their applications, arguing that the publicly funded, privately managed charter schools sap funding from traditional public schools and are failing to serve their fair share of students with special needs.
The state education commissioner is expected to make a decision by Feb. 1.
León also urged the state to deny “any and all” applications for new charter schools or the renewal of existing charter schools unless they serve “a specific educational need.” While other local officials have sought to halt the expansion of Newark’s charter sector, whose student population quadrupled over the past decade, León is taking a more extreme position by demanding that existing charter schools be phased out.
“The writing is on the wall for corporate charter schools,” said Newark Teachers Union President John Abeigon, an outspoken critic of charter schools, which tend to be non-unionized. “The days of unchecked charter school applications are over.”
Poor Mark Zuckerberg! He dropped $100 million into Newark to make it the “New Orleans of the North.”
Now that 49% of New Orleans’ charters are rated D or F by the state, why would anyone follow that model.
Superintendent Léon has made clear that he’s not taking that route.
Diane Ravitch's blog 
This is truly remarkable and quite unique, a superintendent who has not been bought off or intimidated by the reformers and charter school cheerleaders. He is being viciously attacked by the charter school advocates and school “reformers.” I hope he stands firm and does not cave in to all the attacks and vicious acrimony. New Jersey Children’s Foundation, (a nonprofit that promotes cooperation between Newark’s traditional and charter schools (sic)) and The New Jersey Charter Schools Association are attacking Leon on every possible level.
Superintendent Leon is a remarkable educator. An actual educator, not playing one.
🙂
It should be noted that Mr. Leon is a product of the Newark Public schools as a student, teacher, principal, and assistant superintendent in Newark. Mr. León has taught thousands and mentored hundreds of Newark students. His traditional administrative training and his vast experience allow him to offer a reasoned, informed approach to change.
Leon is not eliminating charters. He values what some of the selective charters provide to students. He is against unmitigated charter expansion that undermine the operation of public schools and fail to serve the diverse needs of students. His decisions are based on what best serves the needs of Newark’s young people and the community. Leon understands the needs, history and culture of the schools he serves, and he is a stakeholder in them.
“Now that 49% of New Orleans’ charters are rated D or F by the state, why would anyone follow that model.”
Why would anyone use school grades as a determinant for anything?
Hey, Duane,
The right-wingers created those grades. I believe they are garbage, but they are hoist by their own petard.
A responsible superintendent! That’s marvelous. I remember when I taught under a responsible superintendent — wait, no I don’t. I remember when I was a student under a responsible sup — no I don’t. Newark has a rare gem at the helm.
And it might just work. Booker, Cami Anderson, Cerf & Christie held hands & used Z’s $100million to shoehorn in the One Newark fiasco. Now we’ve got Baraka, Léon, Lepellet & Murphy holding hands! This is just a continuation of what ed-deformers are calling a “virtual moratorium” on charters in Newark.