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Board hears plan to restore in-school tutorial at Newark Memorial as students, teachers press for clarity
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Summary
Newark Unified staff proposed reintroducing a tutorial period at Newark Memorial — a 20-minute advisory plus two 45-minute tutorial blocks — for second semester. Students urged keeping the time; the teachers' union raised contract and accountability concerns and said it will not sign an MOU this week.
Newark Unified trustees heard a staff report on a redesigned in-school tutorial model for Newark Memorial High School and engaged in extended discussion over timing, accountability and contract language.
The staff proposal would reinstate an in-school tutorial beginning in the second semester consisting of a 20-minute advisory/homeroom (to handle sign-ups, announcements and brief check-ins) and 45-minute tutorial periods on Wednesdays and Thursdays for targeted review, make-ups and teacher support. Attendance would be taken each period and staff expect to enforce a no-cell-phone rule aligned with a forthcoming statewide restriction.
Students who spoke during public comment described the period as essential. "Pause gave me valuable time during the school day to get organized and complete work," said Daphne Fong, a junior at Newark Memorial, who urged the board not to eliminate the tutorial because some students cannot stay after school to make up missed work. Another student, Pardes Suma Gaysai, said incentives and accountability (for example, limiting privileges for students who do not attend) could address prior misuse.
Teachers' representatives urged caution. Landon, an English teacher and MTA vice president, told the board the union would not sign an MOU this week because "there are many unanswered questions" about the plan, citing contract limits on teaching periods and daily student-contact caps and asking how student outcomes would be measured. He said the proposal appears to re-create the prior "Pause" model without resolving earlier problems and warned that added contacts could require contract changes and additional pay.
Board members pressed staff on measures to ensure the tutorial would not lapse into unstructured time. Member Hill recommended forming a spring committee that includes students to design incentive structures; others suggested starting sooner if an agreement with CTA can be reached. Principal Murphy said staff and student focus groups informed the design and that district leaders will collaborate with CTA to craft an MOU that clarifies expectations, attendance processes and student supports.
The board did not take a formal vote on implementation at the meeting. Staff said additional logistical items remain (attendance procedures, MOU language, communications) and that meetings with CTA are planned. The presentation materials and committee recommendations will guide further negotiations and a rollout plan for the second semester.
