New Jersey Officials Seize Control Of 'Bankrupt' Paterson Schools

By Jonathan Weisman

Acting for the second time under the state's pioneering "academic bankruptcy" law, the New Jersey Education Department has seized control of the Paterson district, the state's third-largest school system.

As a result of the action last month, the superintendent of the 24,500-student district was immediately fired, the school beard was disbanded, and the district's top administrators were demoted.

To replace Frank Napier Jr. as superintendent, state officials selected Laval S. Wilson, who previously served a controversial term as head of the Boston schools, and gave him sweeping powers to turn the...