Newark School Superintendent's Contract Renewed After Board Member Changes Vote

NEWARK, NJ — The superintendent of the largest public school district in New Jersey has secured a contract extension, reports say.

The Newark Board of Education declined to grant Roger León a new, two-year extension in September. The tally was 4-0 in favor, with two abstentions, two recusals and one absence – a vote shy of the number needed to approve the contract.

That decision was apparently overturned at the board’s Oct. 30 meeting, when Melissa Reed announced she was changing her abstention to a “yes” vote.

During the meeting, Brenda Liss, the district’s general counsel, said the board’s policies have no provision that regulate such a situation. Liss referred to Robert’s Rules of Order – which permit a board member to change their vote if there’s no objection from their peers.

“If she says that she wants to change her vote, as a matter of courtesy in the past, this board has allowed any member to change their vote without question or without motion,” Liss said.

The new contract replaces León’s existing deal, which expires in June 2028. All other provisions of the contract are unchanged.

Some experts have questioned the decision, with one telling Chalkbeat Newark that the board’s procedure was not in line with Robert’s Rules because too much time has passed.

“We are proud of Superintendent León’s leadership, commitment, and dedication to the children of the Newark Public Schools,” Board President Hasani Council said.

“We agree with the board’s decision in 2018 that his experience mattered, and we strongly believe today that his consistent leadership in Newark matters just as much now,” Council said.

• See Related: Outcry For Transparency After Newark Superintendent’s Contract Renews

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