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Officials Back Newark School Closings Proposal

NEWARK, N.J. (CBSNewYork) -- New York City is not the only area district facing school closings. Newark is in the same boat.

It's almost natural to see residents get upset when districts propose the closing of schools.

"If you went to a school, your grandfather went to a school, you have an emotional connection to it," Newark Superintendent Cami Anderson told Putney.

LISTEN: WCBS 880's Levon Putney reports

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"And I feel it's important for us to engage those families," Anderson added.

After residents engaged her a week ago by shouting down her presentation proposing seven school closings, she's opting now to make her points with smaller community crowds.

"We've had a 9 percent decrease in enrollment over the last three years and if you look over the last decade even more than that," she said.

Mayor Cory Booker backs the plan, but knows it'll take some selling.

"Your children are going to be getting into environments that are better for their future. It's as simple as that," he said.

What do you think? Sound off in our comments section below...

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