Protesters In Camden Against State Control Of Public School District And Expansion Of Renaissance Schools
By Steve Tawa
CAMDEN, NJ (CBS) -- Camden parents and activists joined their counterparts from Newark to confront policymakers in downtown Camden who support school choice.
The protesters want Camden to revert to local control.
Organizer Roberto Cabanas of New Jersey Communities United says they are calling for the resignation of Governor Christie appointed Superintendent Paymon Rouhanifard, and a stop to the expansion of so-called renaissance schools.
"The kind of reforms that are failing Newark students right now with the charter expansions, are some of the same reforms that they're trying to implement right here in the city of Camden."
Camden schools have been state-run since 2013; Newark converted 20-years ago.
Protesters were outside a policy conference involving school choice advocates at the other end of the idealogical spectrum, who are pushing for even more privately-run, publicly-funded renaissance schools.
Superintendent Rouhanifard says, "The reality lies somewhere in the middle."
He says communities are demanding meaningful changes, and he's using every option available.
"If you look at renaissance schools, there's more demand than the number of seats that they have available."
But Rouhanifard also notes in the Camden City Public School District, there are record enrollments in pre-K programs.
"Because that's a bright spot, and we've got tremendous leadership at the district level."
Right now, there are seven renaissance schools serving 2,200 students, with more on a wait list.
"This is a year over year process. If families are choosing them, they will continue to grow organically."
Rouhanifard says his charge is to "work directly with the residents of Camden."