The City of Newark has regained full control over its school district for the first time in 25 years.

Decisions about Newark schools have been made by state education officials in Trenton since 1995, including choosing the school superintendent.

The decision for a state takeover was made after reports of mismanagement and corruption. But now the New Jersey Board of Education says that Newark has reached the opportunity to take back control.

“The fact that we have full local control sends a strong message to not only the citizens of Newark, but all of the state,” says Newark School Superintendent Roger Leon.

Leon says that the message is that Newark has the same rights as other school districts in New Jersey.

Newark has been in a transition over the past two years where the city needed to meet certain benchmarks to regain control. Those benchmarks included personnel, finance, operations, governance, instruction and program.

The state Board of Education voted unanimously in favor of Newark regaining control.

President Kathy Goldenberg said in a statement, "I am confident that the students, parents, teachers, staff, administrators, superintendent, and board members of the Newark Public Schools will continue to demonstrate the success that stems from community-driven and student-focused efforts."

Gov. Phil Murphy also weighed in with a statement, "For a quarter-century, the local board of education in Newark has not had the full power to make decisions for their community. Today, full local control of the public schools has been restored to the people of Newark so that the local school board can address the unique needs of the school community."

Leon says that the parents of Newark students now have a responsibility with this decision.

"Their task is to hold the school system and district accountable for providing the best education possible for their children,” he says.