During a forum hosted by the Newark NAACP, candidates answered questions about district policies, the board’s role in holding the superintendent accountable, and district funds.

More than 7,000 city youth are eligible to vote in April’s school board election, sparking a mix of enthusiasm and challenges for city leaders tasked with registering and educating young voters.

City residents will elect three representatives to sit on the nine-member Newark Board of Education during this year’s election, in which 16- and 17-year-olds will vote for the first time.

The American Federation of Teachers held a “Protect Our Kids” national campaign to rally support for public education and protections for programs that fund services for students with disabilities and low-income students.

The Newark Board of Education approved a new five-year agreement for nurses that provides 4.5% annual raises and aligns their workday schedules with district teachers.

The former and current school board members are disputing a school ethics complaint filed by Newark School of Global Studies principal Nelson Ruiz.

Newark city leaders braved freezing temperatures Tuesday for the grand opening of the new Ronald L. Rice Arts Center West in the city’s West Ward. The new center will provide a safe educational space for city youth to explore the arts, mentorship, and healing.

New Jersey has allocated nearly $2 billion for school construction projects across school districts but those funds have already been committed to emergency projects, leaving no funds for new projects, state leaders said.

Acting Education Commissioner Kevin Dehmer issued decisions to 14 charter schools, including two in Newark, requesting renewals to their charter agreements, amendments, or grade-level expansions.

Newark is the first city in the state to lower the voting age to 16 for school board elections and this week, local officials and groups will start promoting voter registration among teens.