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Showing posts with label Newark. Show all posts

Newark: Is Cami A Crook?

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Sources within the union leadership said Anderson’s contract–up at the end of June–would not be renewed and she would leave in a way that suggested her departure was voluntary.  Those same sources indicated leadership could be passed over to a cooperative arrangement between a state official and a current high-ranking officer within the Newark Public Schools, with the most obvious candidate Roger Leon, currently an assistant schools superintendent.... Bob Braun's Ledger
The Newark story continues to fascinate. Yesterday we reported and posted a video of the student sit-in ( to our last post: Newark Student Union Conducts a Sit-in at The Newark Public Schools Board's Budget Meeting and Cami Walks Out Again!). Today the union leader is saying Supt Cami Anderson will be gone (Is Cami Anderson Out in Newark? ). Today mayor elect Ras Baraka met with Christie..... Hmmmm!

Our pal in Newark pawed through the report of Cami malfeasance (I'm hoping for a perp walk.) and sent in this dispatch:
Kristin Towkanuik President of the Newark Student Union led a sit in at 2  Cedar Street administrative home of the Newark Public Schools. The students demanded to meet with State District Superintendent Cami Anderson and Acting Education Commissioner David Hespe. In less than twenty-four hours, both luminaries have agreed to the demands. What is going on here? The secret is Mayor-elect Ras Baraka spreading his magic dust over the city. Cami and David decided to meet with the students before their chutzpah gets out of hand.

State Senator Ronald Rice sent a letter to Hespe on behalf of the Joint Committee on the Public Schools respectfully requesting an investigation of Anderson's "handling of the administrative and fiscal affairs of the Newark Public Schools." I have been studying this document for hours and I will try to give you a cheat sheet on the information I have gleaned.

The projected deficit for the Newark Public Schools is $53 million. Where did all that money go? Cami gave out generous raises to her BFFs also known as assistant superintendents. They are all making $175,000 per annum. The Chief Talent Officer is only earning $173,975, but the School Business Administrator brings home $189,817. It seems like a lot of dough for shuffling e-mails, but they may have other hidden responsibilities.

Another significant concern is the potential for conflicts of interest in the awarding of contracts and the hiring of consultants. The crux of the matter is the sale of 18th Avenue School to the TEAM Charter Schools operated by KIPP Schools. Sir Walter Scott must have had a look at Cami's machinations when he penned, "Oh what a tangled web we weave."
Let it suffice for me to introduce a few key players. Former Education Commissioner Chris Cerf had previous professional business associations with Tim Carden who resurfaced as the President of Friends of TEAM Schools. The Friends are a 501(c)(3) that conveniently holds all the loans and leases for TEAM. Hannah Richman is the Director and Secretary for the Friends. In this capacity, she directs real estate, finance, acquisition and renovation for TEAM. The question as to Cami's previous professional relationships with this cast of characters is at the heart of the matter. To make matters worse, it is alleged that 18th Avenue School was sold at a below market price with an abbreviated bidding process.

If you guys have any further interest in the details of Cami's entanglements, I am prepared to spend a few more hours studying this document tomorrow night. I presume that it will take Hespe a substantial amount of time to sort through the data. Cami earned $247,500 and a bonus of $32,992 for this year so it is my guess she isn't going anywhere soon. Chris Christie and Tom Moran of The Star Ledger still love her even though she has managed to infuriate nearly everyone else.

A Newark Teacher

Is Cami Anderson Out in Newark?

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Cami Anderson will be leaving.  It is your efforts on Fight Back Fridays, our Mayoral Election efforts, Advisory Board meetings, and other initiatives that have made this possible.  I am very proud of all of our members....
.....Joseph Del Grosso, NTU President

Don't believe it 'till the fat lady sings. Because Del Grosso also says:
It is my strong belief that based on the discussions I have had to this point, Cami Anderson will not be continuing as Superintendent of the Newark Public Schools. I have many other meetings to attend with other stakeholders who are interested in making her departure a reality.  
 I hope this is not magical thinking. But here's hoping Cami Anderson has to do a perp walk.
Dear Colleagues,

Over the past months, there have been numerous rumors of layoffs, school closings, and drastic cuts to the Newark Public Schools budget.  

In preparation for these events, the Newark Teachers Union requested a meeting with Acting Commissioner David Hespe, some six weeks ago.  The meeting took place last Monday afternoon in Trenton.  We went there prepared
with information regarding the misdeeds and mismanagement of funds by Superintendent Cami Anderson.  Acting Commissioner Hespe was very interested in the information that we provided, and says he intends to act on the information expeditiously.  I have been made aware that he or his designees are already in Newark today. 

We also requested meetings with various Assemblymen and Senators, especially those on the Educational Legislative Committees.  Senator Ronald Rice, co-chair of the Joint Committee on Public Schools, sent a detailed letter to
Commissioner Hespe regarding what he perceives as the illegalities and malfeasance that have been taking place at the Newark Public Schools.
 
Attached is a copy of that letter which is also going to the Attorney General and other law enforcement agencies.  

It is my strong belief that based on the discussions I have had to this point, Cami Anderson will not be continuing as Superintendent of the Newark Public Schools. I have many other meetings to attend with other stakeholders who are interested in making her departure a reality.  

I intend to fight for each and every member to retain their jobs and to restore positions such as attendance counselors, parent liaisons, teacher aides and clerks, as well as teachers to the positions that Newark so desperately needs.  We will continue to engage and support likeminded community, parent, and student organizations in this battle to not only end the layoffs and school closings, but to restore Newark to full local control.

Acting Commissioner Hespe has informed me that he intends to make a strong recommendation to the state board of education to return fiscal control to Newark's Board of Education by July 1st.  We must remain diligent in our fight to take back our schools and to restore order and a sense of learning to the educational community of Newark.  I will keep you informed of any new information that develops from my meetings with the Commissioner and
legislators as they transpire.

Cami Anderson will be leaving.  It is your efforts on Fight Back Fridays, our Mayoral Election efforts, Advisory Board meetings, and other initiatives that have made this possible.  I am very proud of all of our members.


In solidarity,

Joe                                     

Joseph Del Grosso                                        

President                                                         

Newark Teachers Union                               

Local 481, AFT/AFL-CIO

P: (973) 643-8430                                             

F: (973) 643-8435                                             

E: ntupres@ntuaft.com                               

NEW Caucus Report: Newark Students Spending the Night

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UPDATE: 18m
now coming in to see


This just in from NEW Caucus - a followup to our last post:

Video: Newark Student Union Conducts a Sit-in at The Newark Public Schools Board's Budget Meeting and Cami Walks Out Again!



As of 11:55 tonight, there are 10 members of the Newark Student Union spending the night at 2 Cedar Street in the room where the Advisory Board holds its business meetings.  

After our small but successful rally this afternoon, the students went upstairs, issued their demands and sat down in the floor in the front of the room.  The demands were:

1)  The immediate resignation of Cami Anderson

2)  An immediate halt to One-Newark

3)  Implementation of Newark Promise (the community driven report created over months and presented Saturday)

4)  A meeting with Anderson and NJ Commissioner of Education David Hespe.  


When they were offered the meeting with Anderson and Hespe, but had the other demands refused, they remained seated and refused to leave.  The meeting was ended, the adults all left, and the students controlled the room.  And they still control the room right now.

This is an INSPIRING example of what human beings can do when they show solidarity with each other and work together to fight injustice imposed by the wealthy and powerful!  A small group of students are literally putting their bodies on the gears of power, and stopping those gears from functioning!  

For we adults - often too afraid to take action even when our own profession, reputations, livelihoods and callings are under attack - this action should show us that it is not acceptable to bury our heads in the sand as public education is destroyed!  We hope this will be a call to action for the many adults who have thus far refused to stand up for themselves, their schools, and their students!


BUT, the students have not eaten much since 6 or 7 pm, and are hungry now.  And, they will be truly hungry in the morning.  AND, they need moral support.  So, if you are at all able and have time in the morning, please help and support these students in any way possible, either materially (food and beverages) or morally (going to 2 Cedar St to show support, or telling friends about their action).  

Please tell friends, family, and colleagues about their fight and their current situation.  They need all the support they can get.  

NEW Caucus stands in solidarity with the Newark Students Union!






Video: Newark Student Union Conducts a Sit-in at The Newark Public Schools Board's Budget Meeting and Cami Walks Out Again!

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Hey, Hey, Ho, Ho, Cami Anderson has got to go.
I hope some of you have been following events in Newark. Students are playing a role. Good thing since no one listens to teachers. How nice to see Cami Anderson walk out again. I think she walks out twice.

UPDATES, May 21, Media Links
Bob Braun's Ledger
Cami wanted disruption–and, last night, she got it - Newark’s school superintendent belongs to that tribe of self-proclaimed and irresponsible school reformers who contend public schools must be “disrupted” b... 

http://www.nj.com/essex/index.ssf/2014/05/student_protest_forces_school_board_meeting_to_end_early.html 

http://www.njspotlight.com/stories/14/05/20/high-school-students-disrupt-newark-school-advisory-board-meeting/ 

http://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/Newark-Public-Schools-Sit-In-One-Newark-Promise-Cami-Anderson-260068351.html%23 

http://newjersey.news12.com/news/newark-community-rallies-against-superintendent-cami-anderson-and-one-newark-plan-1.8110194

VIDEO:
http://youtu.be/rBCi21i5tjs





Remember, Anderson tried to get a tenure waiver so she can fire any teacher whose shirt she doesn't like but was rebuffed.

The state union - which is NEA while Newark is AFT is going to court over Christie's putting up traffic cones around teacher pensions.

http://www.nj.com/politics/index.ssf/2014/05/njea_says_it_will_sue_to_block_christie_

from_cutting_pension_payments.html

Layoffs in Newark and Jaisal Noor: Video on Ras Baraka Election in Newark

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A mayoral election in Newark becomes a battle for the soul of the city...
Jaisal Noor, The Real News, delivers - as usual.

Newark may be a future model for the NYC school system despite the Baraka win, who in the New Yorker article admitted he was for a bunch of ed deform - like ending tenure. Who knows what is really where he stands?

But also note the message from the Newark Teachers Union regarding upcoming layoffs.

http://youtu.be/NqPh2feNiGs






Bob Braun's Ledger
Cami cuts 500 jobs - State-appointed Newark schools superintendent Cami Anderson is cutting some 500 jobs, including 200 teaching positions, 200 central office employees, and...
Subject: To All Members: Layoff and Position Cuts
Colleagues,

Today, Newark Teachers Union leadership met with the district and other union leaders to discuss potential position cuts and layoffs.  While nothing was finalized, we were given "worst case scenario" numbers.  Understand that these numbers are positions, they are not necessarily actual physical staff that will be terminated.  There are vacancies that the district will not be filling, including staff who are retiring.  It is important to note that ALL LAYOFFS WILL BE DONE FOLLOWING TENURE AND SENIORITY LAWS!

The district has said that they may be cutting up to 93 non-instructional (aide and clerk) positions. 

`This plan MUST be approved by Civil Service, and senority will be followed in any layoffs. The time line is as follows:

- The district will submit a layoff plan on approximately May 20th to Civil Service. Civil Service typically responds within 30 days. 

- The district will send out "45 day notice" letters to impacted staff on approximately June 24.

- The layoffs would go into effect August 15.

In addition, the district has said there may be up to 200 cuts to Instructional positions.  This includes 104 non-tenured staff who have already received non-reoffering letters.  This number also includes vacancies the district will not be filling, including staff who are retiring.  Again, any cuts to instructional positions will be done following tenure and seniority laws.

As we get more information about specific titles or positions that may be cut, we will reach out to those groups to discuss actions that will be taken.  As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to call us at 973-643-8430 or email Mike Maillaro at mmaillaro@ntuaft.com

In solidarity,

John M Abeigon
Director of Organization
Newark Teachers Union,
Local 481, A.F.T., AFL-CIO
And note the New Caucus event:

NEW Caucus invited you to

Rally to Stop One Newark Plan

Tue, May 20, 2014 at 04:00 PM
Where:
Broad St & Raymond Blvd

Newark Ed Update: Round One: Baraka v. Jeffries, Round Two: Baraka v. Christie

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I urge my NYC pals who will be voting on the contract to look closely at the Cami Anderson "Newark One" charter giveaway plan and the consequences for NY Teachers over the next 5 years. Randi sold the teachers of Newark a contract a few years ago. I'm betting the UFT contract contains a hidden mine field - why? Because they always do.

Our correspondent in Newark has recovered from the wild revelry of the Ras Baraka victory to engage in some musings.

My question: Does scandal-beset Christie still have the chops to chop Ras Baraka? I can see the headlines: Bully White Man Tries to Beat up on Democratically Elected Black Man.

From A Newark Teacher

Ras Baraka won round one with a knock out punch to Shavar Jeffries. The hedge fundies did not invest sufficient millions to buy out all of Newark voters and Baraka is mayor-elect.

Round two features Ras Baraka versus Chris Christie. Prior to the mayoral election, Christie hinted at the potential for a State takeover of the budget of the city of Newark with the possibility of rendering Baraka impotent. As a worst case scenario, Baraka would be reduced to a skillful orator lacking the muscle to wrest the Newark Public Schools from the grip of the State take-over and prevented from making financial decisions for his city. The ultimate disaster would consist of Christie clenching the purse strings for both the school district and the city in his gritty palms.

For those who prefer a fairy tale ending, Ras Baraka lived happily ever after in his castle on the banks of the Passaic River. The billionaire backers of Shavar Jeffries retreated quietly to their neighboring kingdoms never to be seen again. Big Bad Wolf Christie purchased Princess Cami Anderson one way tickets for her and her family to a western state where she could bad mouth Newarkers to her heart's content. The people of Newark were forever grateful to the gods for gracing them with control over their schools, their city and their destiny.
A Newark Teacher

Reality Bytes on the election outcomes

Bob Braun's Ledger
Break a kid’s heart? Who cares? - Newark’s school superintendent, Cami Anderson, yesterday shrugged off the political embarrassment she dumped on Gov. Chris Christie—a national champion of ...

Jersey Jazzman
Where In The World Is Cami Sandiego? - UPDATE: Found her! "Mayor-elect Baraka and I worked together at Newark public schools and had a productive working relationship which I have every intentio... 
 

Ras Baraka wins


Mayor-elect Ras Baraka
Mayor-elect Ras Baraka

Major Defeat for Ed Deform: Ras Baraka Is Mayor of Newark

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A major focal point of the election was the debate over the schools and state-appointed Superintendent Cami Anderson’s controversial "One Newark" school reorganization plan — which calls for the relocation and consolidation of one-quarter of the city’s schools and turning over some neighborhood schools to charter operators.
Jeffries, 39, a law professor, former assistant attorney general and school board member who helped found a charter school, had been backed by charter school interests, along with the Essex County Democratic machine.
"When everybody didn̢۪t believe, you believed. Today is the day we say goodbye to the bosses."
Baraka, the principal of Central High School and a sharp critic of Anderson’s plan, was supported by the teachers’ unions.
 Some similarities to the Wash DC mashing of Fenty/Rhee but that story did not turn out all that well. Oh, stop being such a cynic, Norm, my alter voice is saying to me.

Ok, I'm cheering. Like I did for de Blasio. Come talk to me in a few months. But what fun to see what happens with Cami Anderslime.

Read it all:
http://www.nj.com/essex/index.ssf/2014/05/newark_voters_elect_new_mayor_to_succeed_cory_booker.html

A Newark Teacher Issues Warning to NYC Teachers on Contract -

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It is more than mere coincidence that the challenges of the “historic” Newark contract are now being exported to New York City teachers. Do not allow Randi Weingarten to dance the minuet at your reception..... A Newark Teacher
Has Randi evolved into a whirling dervish?

Randi’s Dance Repertoire
by A Newark Teacher

In an interview with Josh Eidelson of Salon, Randi danced the hora, circling round and round the issues as she staunchly defended Bill Gate’s Common Core baby. 
… the problem is the Common Core has been associated with testing rather than the deeper learning intended to promote... So you have a massive implementation failure that has masked the potential of these standards to help the transition from rote memorization in schools, to helping kids become critical thinkers and knowledge-appliers…
Instead of managing a process that is supposed to be professionally driven, [Newark Superintendent Cami Anderson] walked away from it, and is embarked upon a process to privatize the Newark system....The contract had some strong protections for Newark educators… pieces of pay based upon test scores, which our folks in Newark were willing to do…That contract had enough significant protections that Cami Anderson tried to waive those protections.... Randi Weingarten 
For some reason unbeknownst to Randi, Common Core has come to be associated with standardized testing. Always willing to be helpful, I will take a stab at analyzing the conundrum. The raison d’etre for Common Core is to create a national education market for Microsoft, Pearson and others to hawk their instructional and assessment products. Common Core provides the adhesive for a highly profitable enterprise.

A problematic implementation of the Common Core has impeded the progression from rote memorization to deep critical thinking. Let me ask my readers! Back in the day when you were in school, was your experience comprised primarily of rote learning? I can recall, off hand, memorizing number facts and multiplication tables. On occasion, we had to learn sacred text by heart;
We hold these truths to be self-evident
Four score and seven years ago
I have a dream that my four little children
Two roads diverged in a wood
Hold fast to dreams. For if dreams die
In the years I have been teaching, less and less emphasis has been placed on what came to be called “drill and kill.” It often seemed to me that we had moved too far in the direction of, “Let’s figure out the reason for everything.” In Randi’s world far removed from the public schools of the United States, Common Core has been hampered by an improper rollout. If we were to re-roll it baby, all of our children would be writing profoundly critical information essays on the texts they have closely read and annotated for the zillionth time.

Back on the home front in Newark, State Superintendent Cami Anderson was gravely disappointed to learn that she did not hit all her targets for her bonus. As per njspotlight.com, Cami missed two quantitative goals. Surprise, surprise, the renew schools did not outperform the schools they replaced. Unfortunately, not even one renew school showed significant growth in achievement. Jane David reported in Educational Leadership that the research shows that renew schools in other cities are not faring much better.

Although I am certainly no education researcher, the whole premise of the Turnaround Theory looks shaky to me. OK, so you hire a new principal, throw out all the teachers, rehire less than half the old teachers, bring on board a bunch of newbies, keep all the same students and presto all the children will turn into super-duper test takers.

To explain the Newark fiasco, Randi switched gears to the fancy foot work of a tango as she harkened back to the implementation theme.

According to Randi, it was not she who sowed the seeds of the Newark predicament and the contract she termed "historic" was not flawed. 

No, it was Governor Chris Christie, sitting at the helm of the state run district, who did not implement the contract with fidelity. If only Chris and Cami had followed the letter and the spirit of the contract, a nasty plan like One Newark, which provides for the possible firing of a third of the teaching force, would never have come to fruition. 

Randi was instrumental in negotiating the contract, which featured "pieces of pay based upon test scores" and then she rammed it down the throats of Newark teachers. I, personally, received two phone calls from national AFT staffers attempting to overcome my objections to the contract.
In the Spring 2014 issue of American Educator Randi opined,
As a data point, VAM is informative; as a high-stakes measurement used to sort, rank, and evaluate teachers-it is wrong.
Let me see I can get this straight. For the purposes of the Newark contract in the Fall of 2012, Randi favored VAM.

In the Spring of 2014, Randi opposed VAM.

Then, earlier this week, Randi lavished praise on Newark teachers for taking the merit pay plunge and accepting evaluations partially based on VAM.

Has Randi evolved into a whirling dervish?

May I offer a word of caution to my brothers and sisters in New York City? Be very wary of efforts to loosen tenure protections for ATRs.

Do not for one minute think that the weakened union contract provisions afforded to one hundred, or two hundred, or three hundred schools today will not arrive at your school tomorrow. I was an Employee Without Placement (the Newark version of ATR) for a year and it was a very insecure existence.

In my view, merit pay is divisive, poisoning the atmosphere with a competitive ingredient that does not foster the cooperation necessary among teachers to build academic achievement. It is more than mere coincidence that the challenges of the “historic” Newark contract are now being exported to New York City teachers. Do not allow Randi Weingarten to dance the minuet at your reception.

A Newark Teacher

CamiGate: Get Rid of Black Teachers and Replace them with white TFA in Newark in the Name of Civil Rights

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  • There is a historical context of racial discrimination against black teachers in the United States, and “choice” systems of education have previously been found to disproportionately affect the employment of these teachers. One Newark appears to continue this tradition.
  • There are significant differences in race, gender, and experience in the characteristics of NPS staff and the staff of Newark’s charter schools.
  • NPS’s black teachers are far more likely to teach black students; consequently, these black teachers are more likely to face an employment consequence as black students are more likely to attend schools sanctioned under One Newark.
  • Black and Hispanic teachers are more likely to teach at schools targeted by NJDOE for interventions – the “tougher” school assignments... Weber.Baker.Oluwole.Staffing.Report_3_10_2014_FINAL
Ahhh, the essence of ed deform. The 3 C's (Christie, Cerf, Cami) plan to destroy public ed in Newark. Thanks to the Ed Notes Newark correspondent bull dog - who I met for the first time at the MORE happy hour- for sending this.

Teachers at Newark Public Schools (NPS) largely reflect the racially and ethnically segregated student populations of their respective schools. Mark Weber also known as Jersey Jazzman, Bruce Baker and Joseph Oluwote have released a new report entitled "One Newark's" Racially Disparate Impact on Teachers. The previous report focused on how Cami Anderson's One Newark Plan disproportionately affected black and low income students in the district. In the new report, the authors contend, "NPS's black teachers are far more likely to teach black students; consequently, these black teachers are far more likely to face an employment consequence as black students are more likely to attend schools sanctioned under One Newark." In layman's terms, black teachers are more likely to teach in schools that are closing or being renewed. To make matters worse, charter school demographics differ from NPS by employing teachers more likely to be white and less experienced. We find ourselves in a fine kettle of fish here in Newark!

A Newark Teacher

Disparate Impact on Teachers


PDF of Policy Brief: Weber.Baker.Oluwole.Staffing.Report_3_10_2014_FINAL
As with our previous One Newark policy brief, this one is too long and complex to post in full as a blog. Below are the executive summary and conclusions and policy recommendations. We encourage you to read the full report at the link above.

Executive Summary

In December of 2013, State Superintendent Cami Anderson introduced a district-wide restructuring plan for the Newark Public Schools (NPS). In our last brief on “One Newark,” we analyzed the consequences for students; we found that, when controlling for student population characteristics, academic performance was not a significant predictor of the classifications assigned to schools by NPS. This results in consequences for schools and their students that are arbitrary and capricious; in addition, we found those consequences disproportionately affected black and low-income students. We also found little evidence that the interventions planned under One Newark – including takeovers of schools by charter management organizations – would lead to better student outcomes.
In this brief, we continue our examination of One Newark by analyzing its impact on NPS’s teaching staff. We find the following:
  • There is a historical context of racial discrimination against black teachers in the United States, and “choice” systems of education have previously been found to disproportionately affect the employment of these teachers. One Newark appears to continue this tradition.
  • There are significant differences in race, gender, and experience in the characteristics of NPS staff and the staff of Newark’s charter schools.
  • NPS’s black teachers are far more likely to teach black students; consequently, these black teachers are more likely to face an employment consequence as black students are more likely to attend schools sanctioned under One Newark.
  • Black and Hispanic teachers are more likely to teach at schools targeted by NJDOE for interventions – the “tougher” school assignments.
  • The schools NPS’s black and Hispanic teachers are assigned to lag behind white teachers’ schools in proficiency measures on average; however, these schools show more comparable results in “growth,” the state’s preferred measure for school and teacher accountability.
  • Because the demographics of teachers in Newark’s charter sector differ from NPS teacher demographics, turning over schools to charter management operators may result in an overall Newark teacher corps that is more white and less experienced.
These findings are a cause for concern: to the extent that the One Newark plan disproportionately affects teachers of one race versus another, the plan may be vulnerable to legal challenge under civil rights laws.

Conclusions and Policy Implications

In our previous brief, we found that the One Newark plan imposed consequences on schools and their students that were arbitrary and capricious. We found little evidence to support the claim of NPS that One Newark would improve student outcomes, and we found that the students who would see their schools closed, turned over to CMOs, or “renewed” were more likely to be black and/or suffering from economic disadvantage.
In this brief, we turn our attention to the effects of One Newark on NPS staff. We find patterns of racial bias in the consequences to staff similar to those we found in the consequences to students, largely because the racial profiles of students and staff within the NPS schools are correlated. In other words: Newark’s black teachers tend to teach the district’s black students; therefore, because One Newark disproportionately affects those black students, black teachers are more likely to face an employment consequence.

NPS’s black teachers are also more likely to have positions in the schools that are designated by the state as needing interventions – the more challenging school assignments. The schools of NPS black teachers consequently lag in proficiency rates, but not in student growth. We do not know the dynamics that lead to more black teachers being assigned to these schools; qualitative research on this question is likely needed to understand this phenomenon.
One Newark will turn management of more NPS schools over to charter management organizations. In our previous brief, we questioned the logic of this strategy, as these CMOs currently run schools that do not teach students with similar characteristics to NPS’s neighborhood schools. Evidence suggests these charters would not achieve any better outcomes with this different student population.
This brief adds a new consideration to the shift from traditional public schools to charters: if the CMOs maintain their current teaching corps’ profile in an expansion, Newark’s teachers are likely to become more white and less experienced overall. Given the importance of teacher experience, particular in the first few years of work, Newark’s students would likely face a decline in teacher quality as more students enroll in charters.
The potential change in the racial composition of the Newark teaching corps under One Newark – to a staff that has a smaller proportion of teachers of color – would occur within a historical context of established patterns of discrimination against black teachers. “Choice” plans in education have previously been found to disproportionately impact the employment of black teachers; One Newark continues in this tradition. NPS may be vulnerable to a disparate impact legal challenge on the grounds that black teachers will disproportionately face employment consequences under a plan that arbitrarily targets their schools.

Newark Teacher Reports on Ras Baraka Blogger Meeting

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Thank you Ras Baraka and "May The Lord protect and defend you."... A Newark Teacher

 It speaks volumes about Ras Baraka's true commitment to Newark's children that he has cast these educational tourists aside in favor of those who have made it their life's work to either teach children or understand the dynamics that shape their lives. That alone ought to be enough for the good people of Newark to cast their vote for Baraka.... Jersey Jazzman, Shocking: Baraka Consults Knowledgable People on Education
Pro-public education Newark mayoral candidate Ras Baraka held a unique meeting with bloggers this past week before unveiling his education plan. Jersey Jazzman was there with some excellent analysis:
Baraka  is currently in a two-man race for mayor of Newark; in my view, it's  probably the most interesting political contest in the country between  now and the mid-term Congressional elections (yes, this Jersey boy is  biased). Baraka's opponent, Shavar Jeffries, has become the de facto  choice of the North Jersey political machine -- the same Democrats who  have aligned themselves with Republican Governor Chris Christie.
Ed Notes was invited but since it would cost me a chunk of my pension check to drive over the bridges to get to Jersey,
Ed Notes sent its ace correspondent, a real Newark teacher, to the meeting.
An Exciting Week for a Minor Teacher Blogger

 Norm forwarded me an e-mail invitation for education bloggers to meet with Ras Baraka! I submitted a blog sample and I was included in an impressive group that included Bob Braun and Jersey Jazzman. I hit Baraka with some tough questions. I wanted to know what he as mayor could do to end the State of New Jersey's stranglehold on the Newark Public Schools. I posited that getting rid of Cami Anderson would merely result in a replacement Christie puppet. I questioned the usefulness of attendance at Advisory Board meetings taking into consideration that the body is powerless. Baraka is a strident orator reminiscent of the Civil Rights leaders of my youth. His cadences and word choices are mesmerizing. He believes that if stakeholders in the Newark education community and beyond unite and push back, Newark will regain control of the schools and foster democracy. Baraka stated that he invited bloggers because of their support of the suspended principals and the 2 Cedar Street employee that eventually pressured the Star-Ledger to pick up the story. He was hopeful that we would carry his education message to the public. I was honored to be in the illustrious company of those who share my concerns. Thank you Ras Baraka and "May The Lord protect and defend you."

 A Newark Teacher
I'll close with one more from Jersey Jazzman.
Bob Braun, who knows Jersey politics better than anyone, puts the mayoral race and Newarks' schools into context:

Newark’s voters won’t be able to stop Gov. Chris Christie’s plan to close and sell off the city’s neighborhood public schools and expand charters unless they elect Ras Baraka mayor. That is not an endorsement. That’s not even an opinion. That’s a fact. Baraka has turned the election into a referendum on Christie’s privatization policies and, if Baraka loses, the governor and his agent in Newark, Cami Anderson, will use his loss as a powerful argument to continue to bulldoze public schools in the city. Even if Baraka wins, it will just be the beginning of the effort to stop selling and closing Newark schools.
Afterburn:
Why am I writing so much about Newark? Because as JJ points out this may be the current epicenter of the battle for public education. Baraka is much more clearly defined than de Blasio was in taking a stand for public ed and is opposed by the forces for ed deform. Watch enormous money pour into Newark to try to defeat Baraka. I may actually spend the big bucks to drive to Jersey one day to lend a hand.
Someone on JJ's blog asked what the teacher union is doing to help Baraka. Good point.

If you are watching the battle over tenure in California, and the cutting of pensions in Detroit, our own little spot of relative protection compared to others, even with de Blasio - who could always turn out to be a one term mayor - is not assured. The current agony over retroactive pay, in the overall context, may prove to be a minor player in the long run scheme of things. They want your high salaried jobs and your pensions. It may take longer here but the trend line is ominous, especially with the state of the union, where the dominant faction in New York State is probably going to take total control of NYSUT based in a large part on their claims that the current leadership is not sucking up enough to the anti-union blood sucking governor.
Be ever alert!

UPDATE:
Attention education fighters:

Please support Newark families and their public schools and by sharing/tweeting these stories on FB, Twitter, etc.  
Support Ras Baraka for Mayor by including #BelieveInNewark and @RasJBaraka.

Bob Braun's Ledger: Newark is the next Wisconsin--only, this time, it's tenure AND bargaining under attack

Jersey Jazzman: Shocking: Baraka Consults Knowledgeable People About Education
TeacherBiz (S. Jersey teacher Ani McHugh) reports on Baraka's Ed Blueprint for Newark:

Helen Gym: Philly parent leader supports Ras Baraka for mayor

Defeat NJ Bullies: NJEA an embarrassment for NOT endorsing Ras Baraka

Newark Parents United: Endorses Ras Baraka for Mayorhttps://www.facebook.com/ParentsAgainstOneNewark/posts/531330603647696

Newark Student Union & NJ Communities United Endorse Ras Baraka for Mayor

Christie Cover Story on Baraka Bus Fire

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Here’s the problem. Greedy people don’t mess around. They try to get what they want and if some overly idealistic and uncooperative politician—someone, say, like Ras Baraka—tries to get in the way,  people could get hurt... Bob Braun's Ledger 
We were joking -- sort of -- earlier with our post that I labeled as "satire."

Christie Denies Blowing Up Baraka Campaign Bus - Satire


Bob Braun gets into some details that make we wonder.
 .....observers point out that three of the scandals threatening  the political career of Gov. Chris Christie involve major real estate development projects—in Fort Lee, Hoboken, and New Brunswick. It’s as if the feverish fantasies created by Christie’s people in the US Attorney’s office to snare local Democratic politicians with phony development projects have suddenly become realities–and real opportunities to make Christie’s pals a lot of money. Real estate developers with ties to charter school companies are buying up property in  the city.  Plans by Cami Anderson,  the state-appointed [Newark] schools superintendent, has virtually unlimited power to sell of school-owned property, as she did when she sold the 18th Avenue School  to the Pink Hula Hoop, a for-profit corporation with close ties to TEAM Charter Schools.
And don't forget CamiGate (AndersonGate: Cami Anderson Last Minute Newark School Closing).

Here is Christie's latest explanation for the bus fire.

I was walking by the bus with a cup of coffee and while adding a pack of sugar I tripped. While falling, I grabbed for something and accidentally twisted off the gas cap of the bus and coffee and sugar spilled in. When I hit ground -- with a thud, matches flew out of my pocket and ignited the bus. I heroically tried to put out the fire by covering the entire bus with my suit jacket but it was too late. I was lucky to escape with his life.

Now I hear he is in Puerto Rico with an alibi. 


Bob's complete article below the break.


Baraka’s bus burned: Is it a street fight already?


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Pictures from Baraka's website
Pictures from Baraka’s website
The torching of Ras Baraka’s campaign bus is yet even more evidence of how ugly the mayoralty race will be in Newark for the next three months.  Stories planted in main-stream media about Baraka’s alleged support for a gang member were just the beginning of what promises to be a bare-knuckles fight for City Hall in New Jersey’s largest city.


A lot is at stake. Throughout the country, real estate developers are turning back to the cities and seeing value in properties that were once written off as valueless ghettoes. Look at Jersey City. Look at Hoboken.  Baltimore.  Washington. There is gold in those ghettoes—and Newark is no different.

Some observers point out that three of the scandals threatening  the political career of Gov. Chris Christie involve major real estate development projects—in Fort Lee, Hoboken, and New Brunswick. It’s as if the feverish fantasies created by Christie’s people in the US Attorney’s office to snare local Democratic politicians with phony development projects have suddenly become realities–and real opportunities to make Christie’s pals a lot of money.
Real estate developers with ties to charter school companies are buying up property in  the city.  Plans by Cami Anderson,  the state-appointed schools superintendent, has virtually unlimited power to sell of school-owned property, as she did when she sold the 18th Avenue School  to the Pink Hula Hoop, a for-profit corporation with close ties to TEAM Charter Schools. The same organization is about to receive more property from Anderson’s “One Newark” plan–a plan based on Christie’s support for the privatization of public education.

Here’s the problem. Greedy people don’t mess around. They try to get what they want and if some overly idealistic and uncooperative politician—someone, say, like Ras Baraka—tries to get in the way,  people could get hurt.
Just a few days before his bus was set afire, I spoke with Baraka on a variety of topics. I’ve already written about his attitude toward the 20-year, failed state regime controlling Newark schools. It would be a good time now to talk about the nature of the campaign.

Baraka predicted the county Democratic organization and Essex County Executive Joseph DiVincenzo would be his biggest enemies.  He said his rivals would come after him, not just for who he is but for his name. His late father, Amiri Baraka, was a controversial community activist as well as an internationally known poet and playwright.
“I’ve lived with that all my life,” said Baraka. “And, of course, they”—his political enemies—“have tried to use that against me.”

Joe D betraying Barbara Buono
Joe D betraying Barbara Buono
DiVincenzo backed Christie in last year’s gubernatorial campaign and helped re-elect a governor who, like DiVincenzo himself, is embroiled in controversies over possible corruption. DiVincenzo helped defeat Demcratic candidate Barbara Buono, betraying the first woman ever to run for governor on that party’s ticket.

Now DiVincenzo will try to help Christie keep  control of Newark schools–and the valuable real estate on which those schools sit– by backing Shavar Jeffries for mayor. Jeffries supports Cami Anderson, Christie’s choice for school superintendent.

Baraka said that, no matter how ugly the opposition gets, he will not respond the same way.
“This will not be a street fight,” he said, referring to the title of a movie depicting the campaign fought between Cory  Booker and Sharpe James. “I’m not going to have a street fight. I am not interested in that and the people of Newark deserve better than that.
“You want to battle? Well, battle with ideas. We’re not going to take bullying—and the people won’t take bullying. “
He said the residents of Newark “are looking for new and creative ideas” that will create a “new energy” around Newark politics.

“The people of Newark are tired of the old politics. They are tired of the old bosses. They are tired of people in campaigns who want to bloody and bludgeon other people, who build their campaigns on beating up other people.”

Ras Baraka
Ras Baraka
Baraka doesn’t want a street fight. But it still remains to be seen whether his rivals doesn’t want one.

New Jersey Teachers Challenge Tom Moran/Newark Star-Ledger Integrity

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Mr. Moran: You repeatedly parrot [Cami]  Anderson's talking points, which is shoddy journalism at its best... Newark teacher.
The Star-Ledger’s passionate, public love affair with Cami Anderson is now sliding into political porn. .. Bob Braun
CamiGate heats up.

My Dear Mr. Moran,

I admire your unwavering support for State Superintendent Anderson. However, as a journalist, it would behoove you to examine the issues in Newark from different vantage points. How many Newark Public School students, parents, teachers, administrators have you interviewed? You repeatedly parrot Anderson's talking points, which is shoddy journalism at its best. Anderson and her crew are targeting veteran teachers with extensive academic backgrounds and years of service to the community. They are being replaced with Teach for America novices, most of whom are well intentioned. They are experimenting with teaching at the expense of Newark Public School students. Few of them are committed to a teaching career. Children in Newark like their counterparts elsewhere need the support of adults who serve as constants in their lives. Anderson and other "reformers" across the country are attempting to turn teachers into minimum wage Walmart workers. Mr. Moran, I implore you to visit Newark Public Schools and engage community stakeholders in discourse. I for one am tired of reading your shallow diatribes in The Star-Ledger.

A Newark Teacher

Jersey Jazzman
No Credibility Left For Tom Moran and the Star-Ledger Editorial Board - *UPDATE BELOW* Many of you will be surprised to hear this, but I'm actually starting to feel sorry for Tom Moran, Editorial Page Editor of the *Star-Ledger... 

Bob Braun's Ledger
Star-Ledger to Cami Anderson: Be mine, Valentine! - The Star-Ledger’s passionate, public love affair with Cami Anderson is now sliding into political porn. The newspaper’s latest editorial is a gushing, em... 



AndersonGate - Cami Anderson Uses Chris Christie Lane Closure Tactics in Snow Day Late School Closures

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Newark Supt. Cami Anderson, who helped destroy the District 79 program here in NYC when she was Joel Klein's agent of destruction, is quickly turning into Michelle Rhee junior. Diane Ravitch points out today (Is Chris Christie’s Newark Superintendent Shaping the Mayoral Race?)
as to how Anderson is affecting the race for Newark Mayor just as Rhee was responsible for the loss of her patron in Wash. DC. Note that both are Teach for America alum and indicative of the destructive and insidious role that organization has played in national education politics.

Yesterday we reported that Cami "botched" the closing of Newark schools. Now new information is coming in that there was some intention behind the "blotching." Signs point to Cami Anderson following the Chris Christie retaliation script.

Here are facts from a teacher viewpoint:
  • All schools in Essex county were deemed closed and early notification was implemented: except for Newark.
  • State run school districts were closed and early notification was implemented:  except Newark.
  • Charters in Newark, which are districts within the district and receive 90% of school funding per student capita, were closed and early notification was implemented.
  • Sub finder was down so teachers could not call in absent. If a teacher was absent they would be written up because sub finder could not be utilized.
  • Many teachers live far and were on the road by 5 or 6. State, County and city roads were unsafe, not attended to.
  • Many were in schools by 8AM and many teachers still did not receive a call even as late as 8AM. Most got their call AFTER we clocked in and signed in.
  • Some teachers got dropped off only to find out that they had no ride home.
  • Teachers were told to head back home because the building was closing.
  • Truthfully, these are very serious administrative errors.
This teacher is being kind. Administrative "error" or intentionally aimed at teachers despite co-lateral damage to children and parents?

Anyone for lane closure comparisons?

-------------------
See Bob Braun: Cami Anderson must resign!
See Jersey Jazzman:  Jersey Jazzman:
State-Run Newark Schools Blow Snow Closings Again -
State-Run Newark Schools Blow Snow Closings Again
State-Run Newark Schools Blow Snow Closings Again
State-Run Newark Schools Blow Snow Closings Again
tate-Run Newark Schools Blow Snow Closings Again
State-Run Newark Schools Blow Snow Closings Again
State-Run Newark Schools Blow Snow Closings Again

Afterburn: Another teacher comments.
I was lucky enough not to be injured, but was I upset. I risked my safety for my job just to find out minutes before arriving at my school that the district was closed. As upset as I was (and still am) at her total disregard for student and staff safety, I cannot say I am surprised. This is from a vindictive woman with no conscience whose total purpose is to profit corporations with public school money who send the more challenging students back to the public schools beginning after the October 15th count.
Cami filed a waver to of employees who have some because she may have to pay them more than a beginning salary (If a teacher is of poor quality, he/she can be gotten rid of by poor evaluations, so don't let her fool you into thinking this is about keeping the good ones). Cami does not care about poor minority children at all. It is about lining the pockets of the corporations just like her good buddy Christie.
Below the break is the Ravitch blog post.




Is Chris Christie’s Newark Superintendent Shaping the Mayoral Race?

by dianeravitch
Cami Anderson, appointed by the Chris Christie administration, has lit a fire in Newark.
Newark public schools have been under state control since 1995.
The outrage that Anderson ignited is now influencing the mayoral race.
Newark residents are angry about Anderson's plan (ironically called "One Newark") to privatize or close many public schools.
The candidates who are most outspoken against Anderson have an edge.
The one who seems likeliest to benefit is Councilman Ras Baraka, a high school principal on leave, who said:
"How could you say that you want education, but depreciate democracy?" Baraka said to applause from the crowd, referring to the recent suspensions and before calling for Anderson's removal. "We want full and unfettered democracy. Everybody that disagrees with the reform strategy that's going on is being painted as folks that don't want reform. We all want reform. We just don't want this reform."
Christie is in hot water on his own, but he said this about Anderson last fall, before things heated up in Newark:
Anderson was appointed to run the state-run Newark school district, the state's largest, by Christie in 2011. The governor publicly stated in September 2013 that he plans to reappoint her, and that he did not care about community criticism.
Vintage Chris Christie.
Read more at http://www.politickernj.com/71155/cami-conundrum-how-christies-newark-schools-appointee-could-be-shaping-newark-mayoral-race#ixzz2sImnL7BD

AndersonGate: Cami Anderson Last Minute Newark Schools Closing Endangers Children and Staff

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Add Andersongate to Christie's list of misfortunes. Some students were already on the buses. What happens if the parents are not home when the children many of whom have special needs are dropped off? Some teachers traveled over an hour on slippery roads. Security guards were at their posts. Custodians were outside clearing walks. The crossing guard was in position. None of them knew school was closed. Anderson is endangering the lives of the children and staff placed in her charge.
 ... Newark teacher
UPDATEs: Great Post from Jersey Jazzman on this issue taking accusations of political motivation even further:

State-Run Newark Schools Blow Snow Closings Again

And Bob Braun: Cami Anderson must resign!

I can’t read her mind or her heart. I can’t know what her motivation is. But mounting external evidence points to this: She is trying to destroy confidence in Newark’s public school system in favor of creating support for a  free-trade zone for charter schools.
Gov. Chris Christie appointee Cami Anderson, who is running a troubled school system further into the ground following up on her horrific time running down District 79 in NYC, decided to close the schools today - when kids were already on buses and parents had gone to work and most teachers were already in the buildings.

This report on NBC was posted an hour later:
Newark Public Schools CANCELED 02/03/2014 08:55:46
AM

Was the delay Jersey-political spite? Cami Anderson knew full well teachers would be on the roads and in schools before they found out. Retaliation? The same mentality that led us to GWBridgeGate? Did she screw up by waiting just a tad late? Or was she out to get parents too who challenged her at last week's hearing? (See: Newark: Cami Anderson Storms Out of Meeting.)  Or did Cami just oversleep? By the way, she is one of those Teach for America vampires feeding on the blood of children.

Here's hoping the fawning Jersey press holds her accountable.

Here is a report from a teacher, dubbing this AndersonGate:
An Unidentified Newark Teacher's Tale of Woe
I awoke at 5:00 my usual time. I checked the  Newark Public Schools website and there was nothing. I turned on the television and my district was not among the lucky winners in the snow lottery. I dressed down and drove slowly to work. My favorite custodian was outside clearing the walks with the snowblower. The crossing guard and the security guard were on their posts. I punched in and climbed two flights of stairs. I logged on to the computer. On the website was a notice that schools were closed  February 3 so I said to myself, "What day is today?" Others received text messages at 7:50. Some kids were already on buses. What happens if the parents are not home when the children many of whom have special needs are dropped off?
Yes, I am sitting in a closed school entering report card grades. Some of my colleagues traveled over an hour on slippery roads to get to work. Cami Anderson has got to go. This goes way beyond the issue of lack of consideration. Anderson is endangering the lives of the children and staff placed in her charge. Add Andersongate to Christie's list of misfortunes.
Related:
Jersey Jazzman
David Wildstein: Before Bridgegate, Christie's Best 

Super Bowl Fans Show Affection For New Jersey

Wonder if Christie will get blamed for this too:

A record 27,000 people passed though the Secaucus Junction train station today, turning it into a virtual sauna and prompting shouts of “Jersey sucks” as football fans waited impatiently for trains to MetLife Stadium.


Teacher Basher -

Newark NEW Caucus Update: The Mis-Adventures of Cami Anderson

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After working for Joel Klein in New York, Newark Supt hand-picked by those paragon of virtues, the 2 Chrises -- Christie and Cerf -- continues her path of destruction.

Once again, there was LOTS of news this week.  
 
The BEST news of the week.  We warn you, it's 35 pages, but, we urge ALL concerned about public education in Newark to read it word for word.  It's a thorough analysis from Rutgers Professor of Education Bruce Baker and Mark Weber, Rutgers PhD student and aka Jersey Jazzman.  It challenges the "process" by which Anderson chose which schools were to be closed, and analyzes precisely WHY charter schools have gotten the undeserved reputation as superior to traditional public schools.  Please read!


 

Some news from our antagonists and some other generally bad news:

1)  Two articles from folks who truly represent the corporate education "reform" agenda.  One from the Star-Ledger demonstrating its completely undeterred support for Cami Anderson and her agenda.  The second is from Mashea Ashton, the CEO of the Newark Charter School Fund.  Obviously, they are frustrating to read, but worth it anyway to understand their lies.



2)  Two NJ Spotlight items, one article on school closings, the other a visual showing the length of the school day throughout New Jersey.




3)  Another, slightly more important article from NJ Spotlight, this one about a new bill in the NJ Statehouse that would help charters expand even further with more state aid!  



4)  Here is an interesting story from NJ Politicker about the Newark mayoral race.  It's informative on a number of levels, but in our view mostly because it shows how Shavar Jeffries is clearly viewed by corporate interests as the number one choice.  In other words, for them he is the person to fill the shoes of their beloved Cory Booker.  We all know what that means...




Now, a few pieces of news you make like (we do!):

5)  Website of an educators caucus in Seattle who we met this summer in Chicago.  They are trying to change their union there, just as we are here.  Check them out!



6)  For obvious reasons, we really like this one.  WBAI 99.5 (New York's excellent independent radio station) aired an entire segment on the battle for public education in Newark.  They interviewed a number of Newark activists, including Annette Alston of the NTA and Ras Baraka, but also NEW Caucus vice chair Branden Rippey!  It was a good program, and can be listened to at this link until Thursday.  The program is about an hour.  

Look for Education at the Crossroads, and click Play!



That's all for now...

See you all Tuesday!



In Solidarity,
Newark Education Workers Caucus
(NEW Caucus)
 
Facebook.com/NEWCaucus