Superintendent Cami Anderson responds to Newark students' protest against 'One Newark' plan

Newark students say Superintendent Cami Anderson has acknowledged their ideas following an overnight protest against her One Newark school reorganization plan. Participants called for Anderson's resignation

News 12 Staff

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May 22, 2014, 6:57 AM

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Updated 3,866 days ago

Newark students say Superintendent Cami Anderson has acknowledged their ideas following an overnight protest against her One Newark school reorganization plan.

Participants called for Anderson's resignation outside the city Board of Education's downtown headquarters Tuesday night. Protesters stormed the board meeting, which was forced to end early.

"Any student group that wants to meet with me has gotten in the door, period," Anderson says. "I shared with the students last night immediately that we would give them dates...we gave them several. They rejected them."

The protesters claim students and parents have had no input in the One Newark school plan, and are offering an alternative plan. 'Newark Promise' would maintain schools, return local control over the district and possibly fund school improvements.

Anderson says the plans have some similarities, and the students are entitled to their opinions. "The Newark Promise document that the students were instructed to deliver has 10 points that literally have been lifted from this administration's priorities," she says. "And we are excited to work with the students and all of our stakeholders to really move them forward."

Anderson noted that she and her administration have offered to meet with the students to discuss their concerns, but the timing has not worked out. She said the offer is still on the table.

The head of the Newark Students Union says the group will meet the state education commissioner next Tuesday.