A decision by the New Jersey board of education to take control of the Newark schools was delayed last week as the state’s largest district asked the state supreme court for a stay.
The state board has approved the removal of nearly two dozen top officials in the 48,000-student district. In its decision last week, the board said the district has failed for decades to meet minimum standards.
But the takeover was delayed by legal wrangling. By late last week, the state high court indicated it would hold a hearing this week on the Newark board’s request for a stay. Two lower state courts rejected the request.
Newark officials have argued in court that the proposed takeover violates their due-process rights.
Meanwhile, state officials last week named Beverly Hall, the deputy chancellor for instruction in the New York City schools, as Newark’s acting superintendent.
If the courts approve the take~over, she would replace Eugene C. Campbell, the executive superintendent of the district since 1984. Mr. Campbell last week continued to oppose intervention in the district’s management, which the state has been considering for months. (See Education Week, 5/31/95.)
