Newark BOE Meetings, 2026–27 Calendar, Enrollment & Parent Help
The Newark Board of Education governs Newark Public Schools in Newark, New Jersey. This guide gives families and residents practical answers for the 2026–27 school calendar, Board meetings, public comment, Newark Enrolls, Pre-K, PowerSchool, schools, buses, health requirements, student records and district support.
Use it to avoid common mistakes such as going to the wrong Board meeting location, missing a speaker-registration deadline, using an expired enrollment window, confusing OPRA with student records, assuming Spring Recess cannot become a weather make-up period or sending private student information to the wrong office.
Newark Board of Education quick facts
School district
Newark Public Schools, Newark, New Jersey.
Central Office
765 Broad Street, Newark, NJ 07102.
Main phone
Superintendent
Roger León.
Board size
Nine elected members.
Board terms
Three-year terms; Board elections are held annually in April.
First student day
September 8, 2026.
Scheduled final day
June 28, 2027, subject to make-up days.
Wrong Newark check: this guide is for Newark Public Schools in Newark, New Jersey. Confirm the district before using a calendar, login page, enrollment application or Board meeting listing.
Use the official Board page after identifying the task you need.
Verify current Newark Board of Education information →Should you contact the Board, a school or a department?
| Your question | Best first route | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Board policy or governance | Board of Education | This is Board-level business. |
| Next BOE meeting | Board Meetings | Dates and locations change. |
| Teacher, attendance or dismissal issue | Student’s school | The school has current student-specific information. |
| School placement | Newark Enrolls | Placement and SchoolMint are handled there. |
| Grades / Parent Portal | PowerSchool / school clerk | This is a protected student-information system. |
| Bus eligibility | Pupil Transportation | Mileage and special-transport rules apply. |
| IEP / disability services | School / Special Education | Child Study Team and special-education procedures apply. |
| Unresolved community concern | Ombudsman | The Ombudsman can help identify appropriate resolution options. |
Newark Public Schools 2026–27 calendar
The Board-approved calendar schedules 182 student days and 188 teacher days. It was approved January 22, 2026.
182
Student days.
188
Teacher days.
Sept. 8
First student day.
June 28
Scheduled final day.
| Date | Event | Parent note |
|---|---|---|
| Sept. 1–2 | Staff Development Days #1–2 | Student school year has not started. |
| Sept. 3 | Organization Day | Staff preparation. |
| Sept. 7 | Labor Day | Holiday. |
| Sept. 8 | First Day of School | First student instructional day. |
| Oct. 12 | Indigenous Peoples’ Day | Holiday. |
| Oct. 21 | Staff Development Day #3 | Schools closed for students. |
| Nov. 5–6 | NJEA Convention | No regular student classes. |
| Nov. 11 | Veterans Day | Holiday. |
| Nov. 18 | Parent/Teacher Conference | 1:00 p.m. student dismissal. |
| Nov. 20 | Puerto Rico Heritage Day | Observance / holiday on district calendar. |
| Nov. 25 | Early dismissal | 1:00 p.m. students and staff. |
| Nov. 26–27 | Thanksgiving | Holiday. |
| Dec. 23 | Early dismissal | 1:00 p.m. students and staff. |
| Dec. 24–25 | Christmas Eve / Christmas | Holiday. |
| Dec. 28–30 | Winter Recess | No regular school. |
| Dec. 31 | New Year’s Eve | Holiday. |
| Jan. 1, 2027 | New Year’s Day | Holiday. |
| Jan. 18 | Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday | Holiday. |
| Jan. 27 | Staff Development Day #4 | Check student status. |
| Feb. 8 | Parent/Teacher Conference | 1:00 p.m. student dismissal. |
| Feb. 15 | Presidents’ Day | Holiday. |
| Feb. 24 | Staff Development Day #5 | Check student schedule. |
| Mar. 10 | Eid-al-Fitr | Holiday. |
| Mar. 26 | Good Friday | Holiday. |
| Mar. 29–Apr. 2 | Spring Recess | May be used for make-up days. |
| May 31 | Memorial Day | Holiday. |
| June 18 | Juneteenth | Holiday. |
| June 28 | Last scheduled day | 1:00 p.m. student dismissal. |
Do not treat Spring Recess or June 28 as completely fixed. The official calendar says required weather make-up days may be taken during Spring Recess or added to the end of the school year.
Reopen the district calendar immediately before booking travel, childcare or appointments.
Check the current Newark Public Schools calendar →Open the official 2026–27 calendar PDF →
Weather can affect both school and Board meetings
🌨️ School closes
Check the district weather-closing notice instead of an old calendar screenshot.
🏛️ BOE meeting
If schools are closed or dismissed early, a Board meeting scheduled that day is cancelled.
⏰ Delayed opening
A delayed school opening does not automatically cancel the Board meeting unless a change is posted.
Use the live weather page before leaving home.
Check Newark school-closing notices →Newark Board of Education 2026–27 meetings
Regular public meetings are commonly held at 6:00 p.m., but meeting dates, meeting types and locations vary. The Board rotates meetings between Central Office and schools around Newark.
Current next events as checked August 14, 2026: the Board schedule lists an August 22 retreat and an August 27 regular meeting.
| Date | Time | Meeting | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aug. 22, 2026 | 9:00 a.m. | Retreat | 765 Broad Street, 6th Floor |
| Aug. 27 | 6:00 p.m. | Regular | 765 Broad Street, 6th Floor |
| Sept. 24 | 6:00 p.m. | Regular | University High School, 55 Clinton Place |
| Oct. 29 | 6:00 p.m. | Regular | Belmont Runyon School, 1 Belmont Runyon Way |
| Nov. 24 | 6:00 p.m. | Regular | Louise A. Spencer School, 66 Muhammad Ali Avenue |
| Dec. 22 | 6:00 p.m. | Regular | 765 Broad Street, 6th Floor |
| Jan. 21, 2027 | 6:00 p.m. | Regular | Newark Vocational High School, 301 West Kinney Street |
| Feb. 25 | 6:00 p.m. | Regular | Central High School, 246 18th Avenue |
| Mar. 24 | 6:00 p.m. | Budget Hearing | South Street School, 44 Hermon Street |
| Mar. 25 | 6:00 p.m. | Regular | Salomé Ureña Elementary School, 284 First Avenue |
| May 6 | 6:00 p.m. | Reorganization | 765 Broad Street, 6th Floor |
Do not automatically go to 765 Broad Street. Several meetings are intentionally held at Newark schools. Confirm the exact dated meeting immediately before attending.
The live Board Meetings page controls if a meeting changes.
Check current Newark BOE meetings →How to speak at a Newark Board meeting
5 calendar days
Register before the General meeting deadline.
Name
The request must identify the speaker.
Address + topic
Provide an address and detailed description of the subject.
3 minutes
Current individual speaking-time limit.
Verify the meeting
Check the date, meeting type and location first.
Count back five calendar days
The BOE FAQ says calendar days, not business days.
Describe one clear topic
Prepare the request and eventual remarks for the published three-minute limit.
Be present when called
Speaking time cannot be shared or transferred to another person.
Protect student privacy. Avoid using a public microphone to reveal confidential disability, discipline, health or other student-specific records when a school, department or Ombudsman route is more appropriate.
Use the official request form to register.
Open the BOE public participation request →Agenda, Board material, video and public records are different
| Resource | Use it for | Do not confuse with |
|---|---|---|
| Meeting Schedule | Date, time, type and location. | Detailed agenda. |
| Electronic School Board | Meeting agenda and Board materials. | Student records. |
| Livestream / Video | Watch discussion. | The controlling written record. |
| OPRA | Qualifying government records. | A student’s transcript request. |
The district says meeting agendas become available through its Electronic School Board system on the day of the meeting and remain available afterward. Action may be taken at any meeting.
Identify the correct meeting date first and then open its Board materials.
Open Newark Electronic School Board information →Newark Board of Education members
Hasani K. Council
President
Vereliz Santana
Co-Vice President
Helena Vinhas
Co-Vice President
Kanileah Anderson
Board Member
Quamid Childs
Board Member
Mark Comesañas
Board Member
David I. Daughety
Board Member
Louis Maisonave Jr.
Board Member
Jordy Nivar
Board Member
Recheck titles after an election or reorganization meeting. Officer roles and committee assignments can change even if some Board members remain the same.
Use the district’s live member directory.
Verify current Newark BOE members →Follow an issue through the correct BOE committee
| Committee | Chair | Best match |
|---|---|---|
| Parent Engagement & Student Life | David Daughety | Family engagement and student-life topics. |
| Personnel Policy | Louis Maisonave | Personnel policy and HR practices. |
| Instruction & Programs | Mark Comesañas | PreK–12 curriculum and instruction. |
| Operations | Kanileah Anderson | Facilities, safety and operations. |
| Finance | Quamid Childs | Budget and fiscal oversight. |
| Governance | Hasani K. Council | Board governance and development. |
Review current committee membership and mission statements.
Open Newark BOE committees →Newark BOE address and important department numbers
Call efficiently: tell the operator the student’s school, grade and one specific task. “I need Pupil Transportation to verify bus-ticket eligibility” is easier to route than asking only for “the Board.”
When the Newark Public Schools Ombudsman may help
The Ombudsman is an additional resource for parents and community members with concerns related to Newark Public Schools. The office describes its role as confidential, neutral, independent and informal.
👂 Listen
Helps parents explain a concern and understand available options.
🧭 Navigate
Can help identify formal or informal routes for resolving an issue.
🤝 Bridge communication
May help improve communication between families and educators.
The Ombudsman does not replace formal processes. The office does not conduct formal investigations, change policy, make management decisions, act as a personal advocate or provide legal advice.
The Ombudsman may help you understand possible next steps.
Open the Newark NPS Ombudsman page →Families can communicate with Newark schools in their language
Newark Public Schools states that parents have the right to receive information or communicate with school or BOE staff in their language.
Español
Spanish.
Français
French.
Português
Portuguese.
Kreyòl ayisyen
Haitian Creole.
The district’s language hub also includes Arabic, Urdu and Bengali resources.
Ask the school principal or parent liaison for language assistance, or use the district main line at 973-733-7333.
The district language hub groups enrollment, transportation, records, health and other parent resources.
Open Newark family language resources →How to enroll in Newark Public Schools now
The main 2026–27 universal application and match cycle is already complete. The current Newark Enrolls homepage now directs families who are new to Newark and need placement now to SchoolMint Enrolls.
| Date | 2026–27 milestone | Status now |
|---|---|---|
| Nov. 1, 2025 | Application opened | Past |
| Jan. 30, 2026 | Application closed | Past |
| Apr. 17, 2026 | Match release | Past |
| Apr. 20, 2026 | Matched-student registration began | Past |
| May 11, 2026 | Re-enrollment opened | Past |
| May 15, 2026 | Timeline’s registration-completion date | Past |
If you need placement now
Open Newark Enrolls
Use the current-school-year section rather than an old application deadline.
Select the new-to-Newark placement route
The homepage currently directs families needing immediate placement to SchoolMint Enrolls.
Follow your current match/placement status
Do not restart an expired lottery workflow unless Newark Enrolls instructs you to do so.
Use the matched school for account help
SchoolMint login and school-specific registration issues may require the school or Newark Enrolls support.
Use the live current-year enrollment page, not a cached application deadline.
Open current Newark Enrolls →Newark Pre-K eligibility, documents and program choices
3 or 4
Child must be age 3 or 4 by October 1.
Free
Participating Newark Pre-K programs are tuition-free for eligible Newark residents.
6 hours
Programs are described as full-day.
No potty-training rule
A child does not need to be potty trained to enter Pre-K.
District / Charter
Apply through Newark Enrolls or use a paper application at a participating school. Admission is not first come, first served.
Community-based provider
The district describes a separate enrollment route for community-based providers.
You do not need to wait until the third birthday to apply. The district says families may apply in advance as long as the child reaches the required age by October 1.
Review the district’s current Early Childhood instructions before choosing a provider.
Open Newark Pre-K enrollment information →Find a Newark school, phone number, principal or school hours
Newark operates a large school system. A static list of every principal and phone number can become stale quickly, so the district School Directory is the safer lookup for current campus contacts.
🍎 Elementary / PK–8
Includes dozens of neighborhood elementary and PK–8 schools across Newark.
🎓 High schools
Includes Arts, Barringer, Central, East Side, Science Park, Technology, University, Weequahic, Newark Vocational and additional specialized high-school programs.
🧩 Specialized schools
Includes Branch Brook, Bruce Street, Fourteenth Avenue, John F. Kennedy, New Jersey Regional Day and other specialized programs.
Many school pages currently show an 8:15 a.m.–3:05 p.m. schedule, but use the specific school’s own page because school and program hours can differ.
Use the live district directory instead of an old third-party listing.
Search Newark Public Schools →Newark PowerSchool Parent Portal
✅ Attendance
Parents can review student attendance information.
📊 Grades
Parents can review available student grade information.
💬 Communication
The portal supports electronic communication between teachers and parents/guardians.
New to PowerSchool? The district says to see your school clerk to have an account created.
Account-security check: only enter parent credentials after starting from the official Newark Public Schools route.
Start at the district’s PowerSchool information page.
Open Newark PowerSchool Parent Portal →Newark bus-ticket eligibility and transportation help
Grades K–8
Published transportation guidance uses a more-than-2-mile eligibility threshold.
Grades 9–12
Published guidance uses a more-than-2½-mile eligibility threshold.
Distance is determined
Eligibility depends on the applicable home-to-school distance rule.
School receives eligibility information
The school can help identify students eligible for public transportation support.
NJ Transit tickets are distributed
The district says eligible students receive monthly tickets through their school.
Below the mileage threshold? The district provides information about NJ Transit Student Discount Cards for students who do not qualify for regular transportation under the mileage rule.
Use the district transportation department instead of guessing from map distance.
Open Newark Pupil Transportation →IEP and out-of-district transportation
Transportation for eligible students with special needs may involve contracted bus companies. Out-of-district placement transportation can involve an Educational Services Commission.
If transportation is written into a student’s IEP, begin with the student’s Special Education/Child Study Team process rather than trying to negotiate an accommodation directly with a driver.
Immunization checks families often miss
🧸 Preschool influenza
Children age 6 through 59 months must meet New Jersey’s annual influenza requirement for preschool/day care during the applicable September–December period.
6️⃣ Grade 6
District guidance includes age-appropriate Tdap and meningococcal immunization requirements for students entering sixth grade.
Use Health Services and the student’s school nurse.
Open Newark Health Services →Disability-services and developmental screening help
🧩 Special Education
Begin with the school and Special Education office for an IEP or student-specific concern.
🔎 Child Find
Newark offers free screening for Newark children ages 3 through 21 who may need special services.
5️⃣ Ages 3–5
The district especially encourages screening when young children have developmental, communication, learning, movement, sensory, behavioral or social concerns.
Review Child Find and Section 504 information rather than waiting for the concern to become more serious.
Open Newark Child Find & Section 504 →McKinney-Vento enrollment rights
A family living doubled-up because of hardship, in a motel, shelter, car, park or another temporary housing situation may qualify for McKinney-Vento protections.
🏫 Immediate enrollment
An eligible student may enroll even without documents normally required for registration.
📚 Attend while records are gathered
The student may attend while the school obtains needed records.
🚌 School of origin
Depending on the situation, transportation and continued attendance at the school of origin may be available.
Do not delay enrollment because you lack normal residency documents. McKinney-Vento has different rules from standard registration.
Use the district’s McKinney-Vento page for current rights and support.
Open Newark Displaced Services →Bullying or school-climate concern
Newark maintains a district Anti-Bullying Coordinator and school-specific Anti-Bullying Specialists.
Identify the student’s school
School-level HIB concerns normally need the school-specific specialist.
Use the current specialist list
Do not rely on an old saved name because staff assignments can change.
Keep evidence private
Use the school/district reporting process for screenshots, messages and student-specific information.
Use the district list and select the student’s school.
Find Newark Anti-Bullying Specialists →Lunch application and cafeteria account basics
🍳 Breakfast
The district says breakfast is served in classrooms during the first 10 minutes of each school day.
📝 Lunch application
The district says Pre-K–12 students should have a completed lunch application processed for applicable benefits.
👪 One household application
One application can cover multiple children in the household.
Who completes it? The district says the parent, legal guardian or student age 18+ completes the application. Required information is not simply collected by school staff over the phone.
Use the district’s online process before sharing household-income details.
Open Newark lunch application information →Transcript and school-record requests
🎓 Official college transcript
The district says official transcripts are mailed directly to colleges.
📁 Other student records
Other requested records generally must be picked up and identification is required.
Records before 2002: the district says they may be retrieved from the school unless the school permanently closed.
🌎 Multilingual forms
Request forms are available in English, Spanish, French, Portuguese and Haitian Creole.
🚫 Recruiter opt-out
High-school students or parents may instruct the school in writing not to release certain contact information to military, college or prospective-employer recruiters.
Use Student Records—not employee Records & Verification.
Open Newark Student Records Request →OPRA is a different records process
New Jersey OPRA covers qualifying government records. Requests must be made in writing and directed to the appropriate records custodian.
📄 Be specific
Identify the records requested rather than asking the custodian to research a broad topic for you.
⏱️ Seven business days
Currently available, non-archived records are generally fulfilled as soon as possible but no later than seven business days.
🔐 Exemptions apply
Personal, security, privileged, investigative and other legally exempt records may not be publicly released.
Do not use OPRA as a shortcut around student privacy. A student’s transcript and education records follow a separate process.
Use the district OPRA form and instructions.
Open Newark OPRA information →Newark Board of Education jobs
The district is currently recruiting teachers, school leaders, school-based employees and Central Office staff. Current vacancies are posted through the district careers/Frontline system.
🍎 Teachers
Use Teach Newark and the current NBOE openings.
🏫 School leaders
Principal and vice-principal candidates have a separate leadership recruitment route.
💼 Other positions
Non-instructional, per-diem and Central Office opportunities are also posted through Frontline.
Verify third-party job posts. If a vacancy is missing from the district’s current recruitment system, confirm it is still open before submitting personal information.
Use the current district careers page.
Open NBOE Careers →Where to verify Newark Public Schools spending
$1.677 billion
The Board announced approval of a $1.677 billion 2026–27 district budget in March 2026.
User-Friendly Budget
The district provides a current FY2026–27 budget document and final budget-hearing material.
Use the adopted budget when exact numbers matter. An earlier proposal or hearing presentation can differ from the final spending plan.
Use the current fiscal-year budget page.
Open Newark 2026–27 budget information →Make sure you need Newark—not another New Jersey Board
New Jersey Board of Education
Use for statewide education-board intent rather than Newark district operations.
East Orange Board of Education
Use for East Orange Public Schools rather than Newark.
Irvington Board of Education
Use for Irvington school calendars and Board resources.
Jersey City Board of Education
Use for Jersey City Public Schools rather than Newark Public Schools.
Common Newark BOE mistakes and the correct fix
Wrong Newark district
Fix: confirm Newark, New Jersey and Newark Public Schools.
Assuming every BOE meeting is downtown
Fix: verify the exact school or Central Office location.
Trying to speak without preregistration
Fix: count back five calendar days from the General meeting.
Preparing a long public speech
Fix: current Board rules provide three minutes.
Booking Spring Recess travel
Fix: remember that weather make-up days may use Spring Recess.
Using an expired lottery deadline
Fix: use the current “Need Placement Now?” route.
No PowerSchool account
Fix: contact the school clerk.
Unsure about transportation
Fix: ask Pupil Transportation to verify eligibility.
Need a transcript
Fix: use Student Records, not employee Records & Verification.
Need Board documents
Fix: use Electronic School Board first; use OPRA only when the government-record process is actually required.
No normal residency papers
Fix: if housing is unstable, ask about McKinney-Vento rights before delaying enrollment.
School concern keeps bouncing between offices
Fix: consider the Ombudsman after using the normal school or department route.
Newark Board of Education FAQs
What is the Newark Board of Education address and phone number?
The Newark Board of Education / Newark Public Schools Central Office is at 765 Broad Street, Newark, NJ 07102. The district main phone number is 973-733-7333.
When is the first day of Newark Public Schools in 2026–27?
The Board-approved calendar lists September 8, 2026 as the first day of school for students.
When is the last day of Newark Public Schools in 2027?
The calendar schedules June 28, 2027 as the last day, with a 1:00 p.m. student dismissal. Required weather make-up days may change the calendar.
How many student days are in the Newark 2026–27 calendar?
The current Board-approved calendar contains 182 student days and 188 teacher days.
When does the Newark Board of Education meet?
Regular public meetings are commonly scheduled at 6:00 p.m., but dates and locations vary. Meetings are held at both 765 Broad Street and Newark school buildings, so always check the specific dated meeting.
How do I speak at a Newark Board meeting?
The district says persons wishing to speak at a General meeting must register online five calendar days before the meeting. Current individual speaking time is three minutes.
How do I enroll a student in Newark Public Schools now?
The main 2026–27 universal application cycle has passed. Families who are new to Newark and need placement now should use the current Newark Enrolls / SchoolMint placement route.
Is Newark Pre-K free?
Yes. Eligible Newark residents whose children are age three or four by October 1 can access participating free Pre-K programs. Program type and enrollment route can differ between district, charter, Head Start and community-based settings.
Who qualifies for Newark school transportation?
The district’s published guidance uses a more-than-two-mile threshold for grades K–8 and more than two-and-a-half miles for grades 9–12, subject to applicable transportation rules.
Where do Newark parents get a PowerSchool account?
The district tells parents who are new to PowerSchool to contact their school clerk to have an account created.
Before you submit, travel, register or share documents
📅 Recheck changing dates
Meeting schedules, school calendars and enrollment status can change.
📍 Confirm location
Board meetings may be at Central Office or a school campus.
🔐 Protect student data
Use district-linked enrollment, health, special-education, PowerSchool and records systems before sharing private information.
Sources checked August 14, 2026: Newark Board of Education, Board Members, 2026–27 Committees, Board Meetings, Public Participation, 2026–27 school calendar and PDF, Newark Enrolls, Pre-K Registration, PowerSchool, School Directory, Pupil Transportation, Health Services, Special Education/Child Find, Student Support Services, McKinney-Vento, Ombudsman, Language Access, Food Services, Student Records, OPRA, NBOE Careers and FY2026–27 Budget resources.
Independent-site notice: BoardofEducations.org is an independent informational guide and is not Newark Public Schools or the Newark Board of Education. Official district forms, policies, meeting notices and records take priority.