Newark School Plans To Fight State Closure: Public Meeting On Thursday

NEWARK, NJ — A Newark charter school is planning to fight the state's recent order to close its doors, and will host a public meeting for parents, students and teachers on Thursday, according to a news release.

Merit Prep Charter School was one of three “low-performing” Newark charter schools ordered to shut their doors at the end of the year by the New Jersey Department of Education (DOE) earlier this month.

The three schools - Newark Prep Charter School, Paulo Friere Charter School, and Merit Prep Charter School – had all been on probation prior to the decision, according to the DOE.

On Thursday, Merit Prep officials announced their intention to fight the closure notice in a news release.

School administrators will host a public meeting for parents, students and teachers affected by the closure from 5 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, March 9, at the Merit Prep school cafeteria at 909 Broad Street in Newark.

According to the release, the open forum meeting will allow stakeholders to voice their objections to the state's closure notice. Principal Ronald Harvey will provide an update about the school's situation and will lead a brainstorming session about ways to keep the school open.

• See related article: 3 Newark Charter Schools Ordered To Shut Down: New Jersey DOE

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