In early 2023, Newark Superintendent Roger Leon and his administrators were in a panic: North Star Academy, part of the highly-regarded public charter network called Uncommon Schools,  had been approved by the Department of Education to expand by 450 seats. This expansion ran counter to Leon’s crusade to abolish public school choice in the city. So he took action.

What did Leon do?

He convinced the Schools Development Authority (SDA) to buy a building the district didn’t need to keep it away from North Star. This building, recently owned by University Heights Charter School, is in Newark’s Central Ward where there is no need for new facilities because most district schools there have plenty of space. In fact, the CEO of SDA, Manuel Da Silva, testified recently at a  state Assembly Budget Hearing that  Newark showed “zero need from a capacity needs perspective” for new schools. 

How did this play out?

According to an article in TAPintoNewark, first the SDA appraised the University Heights building at $8.5 million and made an offer for that same amount. But, according to public records, the SDA ended up paying $15.5 million, twice as much as the building is worth! Then SDA sold it to Newark schools for one dollar. 

Too wild to be true?

Check out this email exchange between Da Silva at the SDA and district Business Administrator Valerie Wilson:

Wilson: “Any update on the property?”

Da Silva: “We have not finalized the price however I’m optimistic we can do that next. ..I’m hopeful we can get this finalized in the next couple of days.” 

Wilson: “Great. It is becoming kind of concerning as North Star just received an increase in enrollment of 600+ seats.” 

DaSilva: “Wow that’s a significant increase. What is the school’s capacity?”

Wilson: “Not sure. They got the increase thru 25-26. This is a real nightmare.” 

Photo credit: TAPinto Newark graphic

Wilson’s cry for help from the Murphy Administration got results. Two weeks later Da Silva wrote an email to the school district lawyer: “Congratulations!. As discussed this morning, with some coordinated effort this week, you will be the owner of a new school building by week’s end.”

Newark administrators deny that SDA kneeling to Leon had nothing to do with keeping the building away from North Star. 

If that’s true, I have a bridge I want to sell you.

And if this was Leon’s money, I’d have no problem. Hey, he’s royalty, right? He can pay double for something our kids don’t need.  But this isn’t Leon’s money, it’s taxpayer money. It’s not his kids who can’t read,  it’s our kids who can’t read. 

When will Newark parents and residents say they have had enough of Leon’s shenanigans? I’m already there.