NJ allows Paterson to close 4 schools
Reversal follows district letter to education chief
By: Joe Malinconico
Paterson Press
PATERSON - A top state education official has backed off her last-minute June 8 [2026] directive hat told the school district to suspend its plans to eliminate the city's four choice elementary schools.
.....
After what political sources described a behind-the-scenes battle, Executive County Superintendent of Schools Kesha Drakeford on June 15 [2026] sent Paterson superintendent Laurie Newell what was essentially a never mind message, saying she was rescinding her previous letter rand that "any directives contained therein should be discarded."
..... With heads spinning in Paterson, Board of Education members in the majority faction who have steadily supported Newell's plans for school changes asserted that Drakeford's change of heart represented a victory for those who want to reduce political intrusion in city schools.
..... "This is not about politics," said school board member hector Nieves. "this is about stability, planning and doing what is best for Paterson students."
..... But some city school commissioners noted hat they are still engaged in a legal battle to block the changes that are supposed to take effect in September. [2026]
..... Board member Corey Teague and his colleague Kenneth Simmons have field a complaint with New Jersey's Office of Administrative Law to try to get Newell's elimination plan for the chose elementary schools nullified.
..... "Hopefully they'll determine that this plan needs to be reviewed extensively, Teague said.
..... Drakeford is the state-appointed Education Department official who oversees school districts in Passaic County. Last week, [06/08/2026] Newell went over Drakeford's head by contacting New Jersey Education Commissioner Lily Laux to object to Drakeford's intervention.
..... What remains unclear is whether Drakford alerted Laux to her plan to demand a halt to Newell's elimination of the choice schools, including several that have long been among Paterson's most successful: Alexander Hamilton Academy, Norman S. Weir School, Yong Men's Leadership Academy and Renaissance School 1.
..... Newell noted in her June 10 [2026] letter to Laux
that the education commissioner was not copied on Drakeford's letter. Newell told Laux that Drakeford's intervention "crated significant confusion, uncertainly, and disruption throughout the district at a time when stability and clear planning are essential."
..... Paterson Board of Education President Joel Ramirez, a strong supporter of Newell, said Drakeford's decision to rescind her letter "speaks for itself."
..... "I never doubted that the superintendent had properly guided the broad, that the actions taken were within the board's authority, and that we were following the law," Ramirez said. "while reasonable people may disagree on policy, the legal authority to proceed was always clear."
..... Ramirez said the district's school restructuring plan "will help address equity issues across the district while better positioning Paterson Public Schools academically and financially."
.... "Our responsibility now is to ensure its effective implementation and to continue working toward improved opportunities and outcomes for all students," the board president added. "Instead of previsioning settled issues, our focus should be o what matters most: our students, our families, and the future success of our district."
.... Ramirez's comment about "revisiting settled issues" seemed to be a reference to the Teague and Simmons complaint pending with administrative law.