Longer School Days in Newark Will Come With Promise of AC For Some

NEWARK — Longer school days will come with the promise of air conditioning for some students and staff when classes start in New Jersey’s largest public school district on Sept. 3, district officials said.

The district is installing 1,300 new units - the board approved an up-to-$4.73-million purchase earlier this year.

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The new schedule for the 2024-25 academic year will have all students in school from 8:15 a.m. – 3:05 p.m., officials said. It adds 20 minutes to the day for students in K-8 and 25 minutes to the day for high school students.

“We need you to make sure that everyone in your circle is aware, and that they share this information with everyone in their circle,” Board President Hasani Council said at Thursday’s school board meeting.

The new schedule for all buildings is part of the agreement, approved in June , between Newark Public Schools and the Newark Teachers Union, school officials said in a news release.

Over the year, the new schedule adds 7.5 days of student class time, in addition to increased tutoring time, officials said. It also allows for an additional 30 hours of tutoring at elementary schools over the academic year, the district said.

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“Lunch periods will be consistent with regular class periods, promoting a more organized and effective school-day structure,” the statement said.

The new academic year promises more comfortable indoor temperatures for some.

At Tuesday’s business meeting, Board member Josephine Garcia said the district ordered 1,300 air conditioning units in mid-June. The district has received 1,180 units, and the remainder are expected to arrive this month.

School Business Administrator Valerie Wilson said the district has installed 895 air conditioners and replaced about 700 water fountains with contactless fountains.

A timeline was not provided for installing the remaining air conditioning units. Officials also did not say what schools would benefit from the new units.

Lack of air conditioning in Newark’s public schools has been an issue of public concern.

In September 2023, the Newark Teachers Union pushed for reduced hours amid sweltering heat that prompted the city to issue an excessive heat warning. The school district did not then reduce school hours, even though other nearby districts did.

Last March, the school board awarded up to $4.73 million in contracts to purchase the air conditioners, according to the resolution. Online records show it received the board’s unanimous approval.

Some charter schools in Newark have already started classes, with KIPP Newark Public Schools starting classes for all grades on Aug. 17, and North Star Academy opening buildings for the first day of classes on Aug. 14, according to their calendars. The first day of school for Marion P. Thomas Charter School is scheduled for Aug. 26.

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