State-Appointed Newark Chief Vows To Improve Condition of Buildings

By Mark Walsh

With dramatic flair, the new state-appointed schools superintendent of Newark, N.J., toured three rundown schools during her first day on the job last month. Beverly L. Hall pronounced conditions at the schools worse than anything she had encountered in 25 years as a teacher and administrator in the New York City public schools.

"I was really appalled at what I saw," Ms. Hall said.

At one elementary school, she said, the toilets were blackened and there was no toilet paper to be found. The bathroom faucets...