National teachers union leader joins protest of Newark school makeover

NEWARK — American Federation of Teachers president Randi Weingarten returns to Newark tonight to join community members, parents and teachers to protest Superintendent Cami Anderson’s reorganization plan for the city’s schools.

The protest will coincide with the Newark Public Schools Advisory Board meeting at 6 p.m. at the First Street School. Weingarten will address the board at the meeting.

Weingarten marched with teachers and students in Newark last month as part of the National Day of Action to Reclaim Promise of Public Education, a series of events organized by the American Federation of Teachers and held in more than 60 cities.

That day, Weingarten’s message was about the need to restore community involvement and oppose “corporate-influenced school reform.”

Tonight she will be part of the case against Anderson’s “One Newark” plan, which will affect a quarter of the city’s schools. Anderson’s plan includes giving charter schools access to current district buildings, moving some schools to new locations and remaking others into early childhood centers.

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