Leon: Newark Invests in Children, Not Soundbites

OPINION

Public education is the ultimate public service because we educate the public. Those of us who devote our lives to public schools aren’t just educating children. We are shaping communities, cities, and the very democracy this country was founded on and which we proudly build upon. So while I generally don’t dignify baseless accusations with a response, when elected officials continue to spew tired, uninformed, malicious nonsense about Newark Public Schools without facts and without shame, I am compelled to respond. That kind of bullying wouldn’t fly in our schools, and it will not go unchecked here.

As the largest school district in New Jersey, we know we carry a special responsibility for excellence, accountability, and transparency. We carry that weight with pride. Our school system is thorough and efficient, our administration is fiscally disciplined, and our Board of Education works tirelessly and governs effectively. This is all while keeping our eyes on what matters most: student success. We have a historic 10-year strategic plan, The Next Decade: 2020–30, and we are executing it with fidelity and seeing results. That’s why people come from across the state, across the nation, and across the world to see how Newark does it. They come to learn, to collaborate, and to witness excellence, not to cast blame like some of our more … fragile legislators.

And the receipts are plentiful.

Newark’s graduation rate stands at 90%, the highest in decades. Chronic absenteeism is down to 10.4%, the lowest in decades and below the state average for the third year in a row. Among the 78 largest urban districts in the country, Newark has the highest enrollment growth because families are voting with their feet and walking our way. Eleven new schools have been opened and hundreds of new seats added to schools across the city, including a model school for children with autism. We are growing because we are delivering.

Now let’s talk funding, because some folks clearly need School Finance 101.

The State’s funding formula is simple: more students, more funding. Fewer students, less funding. Districts losing aid will continue to lose aid if their weighted enrollments keep declining. That’s the reality. If weighted enrollment is decreasing, then school budgets should be decreasing and property taxes should not be increasing. When enrollments shrink and as a result districts lose aid, they have options: raise taxes, right size by making cuts, and if they’re feeling bold, take responsibility.

But instead, some legislators choose to lash out. One spreads lies about Newark because he can’t face the truth – the impact of declining enrollment – in his own district. Another wants to take field trips away from Newark kids as if that would magically fix her enrollment decline. And the other one claims the state could save “hundreds of millions by cutting Newark’s aid,” a statement so mathematically illiterate it should come with a calculator and a warning label.

Let me be clearer: If your district is shrinking because of enrollment decline, that is not Newark’s fault. Solving other districts’ problems on the backs of Newark children and adults may sound good in some circles, but it’s not a serious response to a complex public policy issue, and it won’t fix a thing. Neither will reckless reporting or malicious repeating of lies.

We in Newark do not determine the destination or location of any conference, we do not spend millions on conferences or catering, we have never had women leaders pose with champagne glasses in front of the Bellagio, we have never paid for anyone to attend a conference in Hawaii, we do not purchase or serve beer or any type of liquor at district sponsored events, we do not enter into “sketchy land deals or leases,” and the claim that we spent over $200,000 on balloons is just further proof that these politicians (and their fake news reporter friends) are all full of hot air.

We do understand why those elected officials would not want a museum of Newark’s rich history, but we will never shy away from the greatness of the citizens of the city of Newark. Ours is a great story and we will not be the butt of bad jokes. Calling our children “those kids” is racist dog whistling, simply put.

Meanwhile, despite the rhetoric, Newark continues to shine. All six of our comprehensive high schools are Middle States-accredited. Twenty-nine of our schools have exited federal Title I improvement status. English Language Arts and Mathematics scores are rising across all grades. Third graders in Newark read. Our students have earned $632 million in college scholarships over the past five years. An impressive 894 of our high school students have completed associate’s degrees while still in high school. Additionally, 869 seniors have earned the State Seal of Biliteracy by mastering a language other than English. We are home to 8 National Blue Ribbon Schools, a distinction most districts can only dream of. And the New Jersey Department of Education has declared Newark a high-performing district.

Financially, Newark is a fortress and fully transparent. Five consecutive years of ASBO Certificates of Excellence in Financial Reporting. Also, the Meritorious Budget Award. An A- rating from S&P Global.

Every year an independent audit has been performed, it has resulted in an unmodified opinion, the highest possible rating. Emphasis added: INDEPENDENT AUDIT. Not a politically motivated fishing expedition with a predetermined outcome and a thumb on the scale based on bitter, twisted lies.

All children in our state deserve the best we can give them with the resources available, and those resources need to be allocated equitably. If districts want help doing more with less, Newark is ready to share strategies. But if all the critics have to offer are lies, then they are not just part of the problem, they are the problem.

Roger León was born and raised in Newark and is a proud product of the Newark Public Schools, where he proudly serves as Superintendent.