Paterson board advances Phase 3 school reconfiguration despite heavy public opposition

The Paterson Board of Education voted 6–3 on April 1 to approve Phase 3 of a long-range school reconfiguration plan that includes student reassignments, program discontinuations and repurposing of facilities ahead of the 2026–27 school year. The superintendent framed the measure as a phased, equity-focused update to the district’s facilities plan and said approval would give families and staff time to prepare.

The vote followed more than an hour of public comment from parents, teachers and former students who said the planned closures and program cuts would harm students and communities. ‘‘Our special education kids need swimming. They need the things that is at that school,’’ Charles Wilson III said, asking why special-education services would be removed from Norman S. Weir. Several speakers, including former students and parents, said choice schools such as Young Men Leadership Academy and Alexander Hamilton Academy offer smaller settings and supports that cannot easily be replicated elsewhere.

Alexander Cardillo urged the board to provide a transparent staffing formula and to correct what he called past wrongful layoffs, saying lists and bumping rights used in 2019 were not replicated in later staffing actions. ‘‘What is needed is a preliminary staffing presentation that puts all of what was stated in writing to assure an informed constituency,’’ he said. Dr. Cardillo later reiterated that the district must present plain-English policies on bumping and reassignment.

Multiple parents raised allegations of improper targeting by district staff. Sonia Chavez said an investigator was hired to follow her and her family after she advocated at prior meetings, calling the action retaliatory and noting she had seen no agenda item authorizing a residency investigation. Chavez said she would seek to prove the claims. The superintendent did not dispute that parents reported residency checks; she said the district would investigate specific reports when identified by commissioners.

Board supporters of the resolution said the work has been underway for years, guided by the long-range facilities plan and demographic studies. Superintendent remarks summarized earlier studies and consultations with DMR architects and said the plan focused on equity, efficiency and aligning programs to grade levels. ‘‘Bringing the resolution forward now has given the team the time to look at every component to be well prepared,’’ she said.

The roll call on the Phase 3 resolution produced six affirmative votes and three no votes. Commissioners Mendez, Simmons and Teague voted no and voiced concerns during debate about historical precedent and the timing of amendments. The board then moved to executive session for confidential student and litigation matters before reconvening and continuing business.

Next steps: the board’s approval sets the reconfiguration to take effect for the 2026–27 school year, with district staff saying they will provide transition details, staffing presentations and additional family outreach before implementation.