The Newark Public Schools opened Thursday to a system transformed by sweeping changes. The One Newark plan was met with excitement but also resistance, confusion and transit troubles which have meant a bumpy rid for school Superintendent Cami Anderson. Anderson told NJTV News Anchor Mary Alice Williams that the Newark Public Schools had a good opening day.
“We actually had a really, really good day yesterday,” said Anderson. “We were able to see an uptick in enrollment in Newark Public Schools for the first time in a decade. Despite having significantly more choices for families, which sometimes can cause confusion, we had a ton of students that were happy. Families were happy.”
Anderson said that there were not any huge operational issues on opening day but that there were some transportation glitches. She also said that there was no evidence that there was any real dip in attendance.
As for reaction to the One Newark plan, Anderson said that what she has heard from families is their frustration over not having many great options to choose from.
“So part of what’s happened is in Newark, we have about 100 schools and that includes charters and traditional public, and out of the 100 schools we can only really describe 20 of them as being good,” Anderson said. “So you’re talking about less than one in four families who are getting into those highly coveted schools and so the way that I’ve experienced family frustration is they’re really demanding more of us. They really want their schools to be great.”
Newark Mayor Ras Baraka has been critical of the One Newark plan from the beginning and on Thursday Anderson said that it is her job to get along with Baraka. Whether they can resolve their differences, Anderson said that working together is not about personalities or politics but that it is all about the kids. Anderson said that when everyone works together, the city will be able to have great schools in every single ward.
“Simply put, it’s not about me, it’s not about him, it’s not about politics. This is about young people. Their lives are at stake and we have got to race towards the day of Newark when every single school is excellent and every single school is desired by families. We’re not there and we have to have the courage to confront those brutal facts,” said Anderson.
Anderson said that the glitches that occurred with school buses during the first day of school can be fixed. She believes that the transportation system operated well during the first day of classes and that about a quarter of the buses experienced challenges such as traffic. Anderson said that calls were made to the bus companies overnight and that time rates on Friday were better.
As for the outlook on the One Newark plan and if the opinion of frustrated parents can change as the school year is underway, Anderson said that she has run into families who have been supportive of the plan. She also said that she has heard from parents who are against the plan and that she feels for them.
“I guess what I mean to say is families just want the best for their kids and the more we can do right by their kids and the more we can show success, the more trust we will build, the more momentum we will build and the more we will deliver onto our kids and that’s what we wake up every day trying to do,” said Anderson.