New Jersey State Board of Education
Minutes of the Special Meeting
Liberty Science Center
222 Jersey City Boulevard
Jersey City, NJ 07305
June 13, 2012
Presiding:
Mr. Arcelio Aponte, President
Secretary:
Christopher D. Cerf, Acting Commissioner
PRESENT CONSTITUTING A QUORUM
Mr. Mark Beidron
Ms. Claire Chamberlain
Mr. Joseph Fisicaro
Ms. Edithe Fulton
Dr. Ernest Lepore
Mr. Andrew Mulvihill
Mr. Ilan Plawker
Mr. Peter Simon
Dr. Dorothy Strickland
ABSENT
Dr. Ronald Butcher
Mr. Robert Haney
Mr. Jack Fornaro
CONVENING
Arcelio Aponte, president, State Board of Education, convened the public meeting with the
reading of the resolution pertaining to the public session of the State Board meeting as it
complies with the Open Public Meetings Act.
WHEREAS, the New Jersey Open Public Meetings Act was enacted to insure the right
of the public to have advance notice of and to attend the meeting of public bodies at which any
business affecting their interest is discussed or acted upon, and
WHEREAS, in accordance with the provisions of this act, the State Board of Education
has caused notice of this meeting to be published by having the date, time and place thereof
posted in the Department of Education, Secretary of State’s Office and notice also having been
given to the State House press corps, the Governor’s Office and the State Board agenda
subscribers, now therefore be it
RESOLVED, that by adopting this resolution the State Board of Education states its
intention to convene a public meeting to conduct the state’s business on Wednesday, June 13,
2012.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION:
State Operated School District Annual Reports
A. Newark City Public Schools Annual Report
Acting Commissioner Cerf introduced Ms. Cami Anderson, Superintendent, Newark City Public
Schools who provided her annual report to the State Board. Ms. Anderson’s updated the State
Board on the status of student achievement, facilities and operations of the district. Specifically,
Ms. Anderson stated that her goal is to ensure that all of Newark’s students can compete in a
global economy, break intergenerational cycles of poverty, and participate as informed and
active citizens in our democracy. Ms. Anderson also stated that reaching the goal will require a
transformation of the Newark Public Schools so that all students will graduate from high school
with a mastery of the academic, social, and emotional skills to succeed in college, without
remediation. Ms. Anderson further stated that she has taken action to dramatically transform
teaching and learning by developing effective professionals in every classroom and cultivating
transformational school leaders. Ms. Anderson stated that she is also making the NPS Central
Office a service-oriented team, providing top-tier school options for all students, and engaging
with our students, family and community.
B. Paterson Public Schools Annual Report
Acting Commissioner Cerf introduced Dr. Donald Evans, superintendent, Paterson Public
Schools who provided his annual report to the State Board. Dr. Evans updated the State Board
on the status of student achievement, facilities and operations of the school district. Specifically,
Dr. Evans outlined the school district’s priorities, goals and accomplishments. Dr. Evans stated
that the Paterson Public School District has embraced a college-ready mission for its 29,000
students. He also stated that over the past two years, the school district has aligned the high
schools with this mission by transforming all large traditional high schools into twelve small
thematic programs and converting all high schools to “schools of choice”. He further stated that
in an effort to greatly improve student achievement district-wide, the school district has
implemented several strategies which include: advanced professional development for staff,
creation of the Innovation Zone, implementation of robust student assessments and the
development of a new teacher and administrator evaluation system tied to student achievement.
Dr. Evans stated that although the school district has experienced early successes, there
continues to be areas in need of significant improvement. These areas include school and district
organizational culture, family engagement and inadequate facilities.
C. Jersey City Public Schools Annual Report
Acting Commissioner Cerf introduced Mr. Franklin Walker, interim Superintendent, Jersey City
Public Schools who provided his annual report to the State Board. Mr. Walker updated the State
Board on the status of student achievement, facilities and operations of the school district.
Specifically Mr. Walker highlighted the alignment of the curriculum in use to the Common Core
Standards in Math and Language Arts. Mr. Walker also highlighted how the school district is
using professional development to enhance teachers’ literacy knowledge to effectively teach
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reading, writing and language arts as well as how the school district is using a variety of
assessments to drive instruction and monitor student achievement. Mr. Walker further
highlighted how the school district is involving parents in the educational process and informing
parents/guardians about literacy and technology resources available to support their children’s
reading and writing. Mr. Walker advised the State Board on the status of the school district’s
facilities projects.
ADJOURNMENT
On a motion duly seconded and carried the State Board of Education adjourned its June 13, 2012
public meeting at 3:18 p.m.
_______________________________________
Christopher D. Cerf, Acting Commissioner
Acting Secretary, NJ State Board of Education
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