As a local real estate developer with over 13 years of experience in Newark, I know that one of the first items on the decision tree when evaluating a potential project is legal fees. In other words, you do the math to calculate whether a deal is worth your time and effort.

Roger Leon, the superintendent of Newark Public Schools, didn’t bother to do the math. Either that or he doesn’t care that taxpayers are on the hook for millions of dollars in legal fees—and counting!—because he’s on a crusade to re-possess two old school buildings, Maple Avenue School and State Street School. Do we need the space? Not so much:  TAPinto Newark reports a third of Newark’s schools are at least one-third under-enrolled and some are more than half-empty. 

But I guess that’s irrelevant because Leon’s calculation isn’t driven by what our kids need; it’s driven by his ego. 

How did we get here?

Back in 2015, when Chris Cerf was Newark’s state-appointed superintendent, the district faced a $100 million budget deficit. To close that hole, Cerf sold some buildings to a Newark-based developer called Hanini Group. State Street School, the oldest standing school building in Newark that hasn’t been used since the 1950’s, went to Hanini for $650,000.   Maple Avenue School went for $1.2 million and is now being used by KIPP Seek Academy, part of the public charter network that serves many Newark students. 

But Leon wants this real estate back in his portfolio.

That’s expensive, especially since he’s battling the Newark Housing Authority. One year ago legal fees from law firms to defend this repossession of old district property totaled $1.07 million. In the last year the bill has gone up to $2.4 million.  

Think about it: Newark and state taxpayers are on the hook for over a half a million more than the buildings are worth in the first place.

Where is the  Newark Board of Education, whose members are supposed to represent our interests? Leon never brought the issue to the school board. This gives him fiscal control with no accountability. He has silenced our voices. 

I’m not one to tolerate a muzzle so, as a real estate professional and a parent, I’m wondering what is  going on here?  Why is Leon so obsessed with unnecessary property sold years ago to close a budget hole?  Is this the way we want the school district to spend our money? Is Leon’s strategy in the public interest?

In my professional opinion, the answer is “no,” this is not in the public interest of Newark families and residents. There are so many better ways to use resources! Why is NPS spending our money on frivolous legal fees when at five district elementary schools only three third-graders can read at grade-level and districtwide fewer only 19% can? Why are we obsessing about real estate when more than two-thirds of Newark teenagers attend a high school at which they have a less than one-in-five chance of graduating and getting a college degree within six years? Where is the urgency for our children’s academic future?

As far as I can tell, these fundamental needs have been co-opted by Leon’s personal ambitions.

As a real estate developer, I am angry.  As a Newark taxpayer, I am angry. As a community advocate, I am angry. And as a father? “Angry”doesn’t cover it. Until Leon agrees to do the math and get back to his real job, our children’s future is collateral damage.