Newark Teachers Union Fights Shared Schools Plan
NEWARK, NJ (1010 WINS) -- The battle between public and charter schools is boiling over in Newark.
The head of the teachers union is speaking out against a plan which would have both operating under the same roof.
"The north public schools belong to the people of Newark so they're not going to come in," Joseph Del Grosso said.
1010 WINS' Steve Sandberg with Newark Teachers Union President Joseph Del Grosso
Podcast
He fears the plan would create a tale of two cities with the "haves and have-nots" creating an obvious divide within the school building.
"We tried this experiment at one of our schools and the charter school had wall-to-wall carpeting and air conditioning and the kids right down the hallway, in the summer, were sweating and they were lacking supplies," Del Grosso said.
He said charter schools are one of the biggest scandals ever perpetrated against the taxpayers and insists they don't work. Del Grosso said charter schools are for-profit entities looking out for their own good with complete disregard for student achievement.
"We had a school that was struck by lightning several years ago and when we asked the charter school if we could share space with them they said no; so why should I share space with them?" Del Grosso said.
He says the union will fight everyday to stop the plan.
A meeting of the Advisory School Board on the proposed plan will be held Tuesday night.
Do you think charter and public schools should co-exist within the same building? Let us know below
