Newark teachers, staffers protest school ‘renewal’ plan aimed at overhauling jobs

By Jessica Calefati/The Star-Ledger

NEWARK — Plans to force all teachers and administrators at Newark’s Camden Street School to reapply for their jobs over the summer drew 100 protesters to the school Thursday morning, clapping and chanting in favor of the staff remaining as is.

A group of parents, teachers and students held signs which read “Save Camden Street” and “United We Stand,” while cars and trucks passing the display honked in support of the protesters. On Monday, Newark Schools Superintendent Cami Anderson announced Camden Street School was slated for “renewal,” a process that requires overhauling the staff.

Fourth-grade special education teacher Carol Rush said she works hard to help students succeed academically and support students emotionally in a way many students are not cared for at home. Rush said she was dismayed to learn she could lose her job next year.

“Camden Street has the largest special education population in the district. You can’t judge us just on the standardized test scores alone,” Rush said. “I’m not opposed to change, but this shift is going to harm our children.”

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