Seems like the ACLU letter slowed things down for now. Nichole Dobo has the info:
Meece tells TNJ he’s concerned, saying this isn’t how the process should work. The ACLU letter came after the deadline for comments closed, Meece said. However, Lowery told him to tell parents they didn’t need to come to today’s meeting.
DOE spokeswoman Alison Kepner said she had no knowledge of any delay.
Meece says he got the heads up from Lowery early this morning and he then passed this info onto NCS parents. Which means if you were a recipient of an email from Mr. Meece, then you knew the outcome of the public meeting before, ya know, the public. I feel bad for those people who took time out of their day to attend a meeting whose outcome was already announced to a chosen few. Hell, why even bother with public meetings!
NCS parents/supporters are also claiming the ACLU has apologized to Newark Charter School:
Proud NCS Parent of Two said:
Email from the school director said he rec’d call from Lowery saying it was postponed due to letter from ACLU/DE. Rec’d another email stating he talked to Pres @ ACLU and gave her the correct information and she apologized & wished she hadn’t written letter. Keep us posted on what you hear from the meeting! Thanks!
Greg, on March 15, 2012 at 3:33 pm said:I was told the ‘decision’ was moving to the 4/19 meeting. I also heard that NCS has reached out to the ACLU president and that they would not have submitted this letter if they knew all the facts… HA, lovely.
I also called the board # on the website and the lady who picked up the phone said the vote was still today, but she might not have known that the recommendation was to delay. #confused… but I think the vote is not 4/19. However, it would not surprise me if they did vote today… who knows.
If anyone has these emails… I’d be interested in seeing them. I’m also trying to confirm the ACLU apology.
UPDATE: Sources say the claim that ACLU apologized to Newark Charter School is NOT true.