By Senior Correspondent Desirée Taylor
NJ Today
A bold change or politics at play? These are just a few of the opinions lawmakers, community activists and parents have about the state’s plan to take over the Camden school district.
“This is about money,” said Community Activist Eulisis Delgado. “We know how to run our government.”
Delgado, who says he’s running for Camden’s City Council, was among a small group of protesters outside the Camden high school where Gov. Chris Christie made the announcement.
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Among those attending the event was Camden school board member Felisha Reyes-Morton who says she believes state intervention may be necessary to bring about positive change even though the plan calls for the school board to lose much of its power and become an advisory board. “I think they came at a perfect time to assist with reforming education in the city,” said Reyes-Morton.
Calvin Gunning, from Camden’s Principals and Supervisors Union, questions whether the governor will follow through with his pledge to include the union in this transition. “Concerned about what I didn’t hear today. I didn’t hear about cooperating with our union,” said Gunning.
Meanwhile parent Karen Merricks believes something has to be done to turn around Camden’s failing schools. “I see the need for change in Camden. A lot of students … the educational level is not what is should be,” said Merricks.