Newark School Official Raises Eyebrows With Bond Proposal: Reports

NEWARK, NJ — There’s no question that many of Newark’s public schools can use an upgrade or three. But a reputed $2 billion repair plan from the district’s superintendent is raising some eyebrows from taxpayers in the Brick City, reports say.

In May, the Newark Public School District’s business administrator said that issues include asbestos, lead paint and lead pipes. The potential price tag to bring things up to code? About $2.5 billion, TAP Into Newark reported.

Superintendent Roger León is proposing a bond issue to pay for the upgrades, according to an op-ed in NJ.com, which criticized the idea and said the district should look to state sources of funding instead of local taxpayers.

Those sources could potentially include the New Jersey Department of Education and the state School Development Authority, which has provided funding for school construction in Newark in the recent past.

• See Related: State Will Pay To Replace 2 Schools In Newark, Officials Say

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