N.J. education chief deems Newark schools ready for local control

NEWARK — The state Education Commissioner has signaled to the Newark school district it’s finally ready to take full control of its schools.

The move is a pivotal step toward giving the Newark School Advisory Board the power to hire and fire its own schools chief.

In a letter to the district on Tuesday, Commissioner Kimberley Harrington said she was recommending the state Board of Education return local control after a performance review showed significant progress.

NJ Advance Media for NJ.com