I was in the room when the historic moment took place. The moment I’m referring to was the moment when Dr. Lamont Repollet, New Jersey Commissioner of Education, gave his recommendation for the Paterson Public School District to be returned to local control.

We all were excited.

The vote of approval that followed from the New Jersey State Board of Education signified the first day of the transition period from state control to local control. After 27 under the thumb of Trenton we are headed for autonomy. It is a moment that we as Patersonians should celebrate. I was a student in PS 21 the year Paterson Public Schools was taken over by the state. I wasn’t in the room when that vote took place but I was present when that decision was finally reversed.

We owe a debt of gratitude to all teachers, administrators, school board members, past and present, superintendent Eileen Shafer and her team, all city activists, parents and friends of Paterson. This is a moment that we should embrace as a city. Now is the time for us to unite as one and move in the same direction. The state has expressed a level of confidence in us. Now, we must, must continue to demonstrate that we are a city and school district worth believing in. I couldn’t be more excited for us at this moment.

Here’s to the future. If we work together with the same amount of energy we often use to be critical we will continue to see gains in our school district.

Corey L. Teague
Former school board member