Tom Moran considers the prospects of Newark Superintendent Cami Anderson, who is struggling to improve a district where half the kids drop out before finishing high school:
In her second year as superintendent of schools in Newark, Cami Anderson is watching her political support in the city collapse.
The school advisory committee recently cast a vote of no confidence. Not to be outdone, the city council passed a resolution opposing all reforms during the next school year.
You read that right: Not a single change through the 2013-2014 school year. A complete freeze.
This council has a long history of crazy behavior. It pays itself the highest council salaries in the state, and each member is entitled to a free car, as well. One councilman compared the charter school movement to the Tuskegee experiments when black men were secretly infected with syphilis to study the progress of the disease. When a council meeting last year broke down in chaos, police had to spray mace to restore order.
But this should be remembered as its craziest moment of all. And it underscores what a tragedy it would be for students if the state yields control anytime soon.
