NEWARK - Lines of people were almost out the door at Ann Street School on Thursday night, with nearly 40 parents and advocates queuing to speak for and against the proposed two-year extension of Superintendent Roger León’s contract.

The proposed extension of the five-year employment agreement came three years ahead of schedule, as the existing deal took effect July 1, 2023 and won’t expire until June 2028. The new contract would have extended his tenure until Sept. 30, 2030, according to a letter from Interim Executive County Superintendent Joseph Zarra to Brenda Liss, general counsel of Newark Public Schools.

The requested two additional years would have made León one of the longest-serving superintendents in the state. The proposed contract was not made available, but district offici

See Full Page