Superintendent’s Council of Teachers Gives High Marks to the Start of a Great School Year

NEWARK, N.J. – When a teacher thanked Superintendent León this week for maintaining Newark Public Schools’ self-insured employee health plan, fellow educators responded with resounding applause. The moment underscored an appreciation for the district’s health benefits during a meeting marked by optimism, collaboration, and a shared commitment to students.

By maintaining its own self-insured health plan, Newark Public Schools has kept its employees outside the state’s School Employees Health Benefits Plan (SEHBP), which approved an average premium increase of 34.4 percent last month. The teacher’s acknowledgment brought employee benefits into a broader conversation about the district’s progress and priorities for the school year.

The occasion was Superintendent León’s first quarterly meeting of the Superintendent’s Council of Teachers for the school year. The council brings together teachers elected by their colleagues representing school communities throughout the district, providing opportunities for the Superintendent to share information, hear educators’ perspectives, and take the pulse of the district’s teaching staff.

At this week’s meeting, teachers expressed excitement about the year and described positive developments in their schools. Among the changes they highlighted were the district’s “Off and Away” policy for internet-enabled devices, increased attention to independent reading and data-informed instruction, professional development offered within their schools, and opportunities for greater collaboration.

Their reflections conveyed a sense of growth and momentum, along with a desire to build on the progress underway. Teachers remained focused on student success and eager to contribute ideas that could make an already promising school year even stronger.

“Our teachers’ optimism and thoughtful feedback speak to the progress taking place in classrooms throughout Newark Public Schools,” said Superintendent León. “Their voices help us understand what is working and where we can do more. Hearing directly from teachers in this two-way dialogue reinforces the importance of caring for the people who devote themselves to our students every day.”

Council meetings provide a forum for discussion of curriculum, district policies and regulations, and the School Leadership Council (SLC) process. The SLC process is a collaborative, school-based model that empowers educators, parents, students, and staff to share in decision-making and work together to improve student achievement. The Superintendent noted how proud he was of the SLCs and the District Leadership Council in partnership with Rutgers University and the Newark Teachers Union.

“Strong schools depend on educators who feel supported, respected, and heard,” said Board of Education President Hasani K. Council. “The Superintendent’s Council of Teachers gives our educators a meaningful opportunity to help shape the district’s continued progress. Their enthusiasm for this school year and commitment to collaboration reflect a shared determination to give every Newark student the opportunity to succeed.”