N.J. education chief set to work with Camden

State Education Commissioner Bret Schundler said Wednesday that he would explore working with Camden officials in turning around the city's troubled public schools, an effort he said could become a model for reform.

"We're going to want to work quite a lot here in . . . Camden with the superintendent, with the board, with the local political leadership," Schundler said at a charter school symposium at Rutgers University-Camden.

The commissioner indicated that it was premature to delve into specifics. But he said there were incentives and supports the state could provide districts such as Camden to help upgrade failing schools.

He spoke in favor of creating small learning communities, some within schools; expanding professional development; and possibly providing financial incentives to improve teacher quality and performance. Partnerships between charters and other public schools also should be encouraged, he said.

Some of his ideas would be reflected in the state's reapplication for federal Race to the Top stimulus funds, Schundler said. New Jersey was among 38 states and the District of Columbia that were rejected for the aid in the first application round last month.

Sara Davis, the city's school board president, said she had not previously heard of a Camden reform proposal from Schlunder, but she said she would be willing to listen.

She had a suggestion of what the state could do to help: "Give us our money back so we can keep the programs we need."

The district is looking at closing two schools and eliminating 300 jobs to help make up for an $8 million midyear aid cut and a $15.2 million cut in state aid for the coming school year.

Camden could be in line for additional help for some of its most troubled schools. The district intends to seek federal aid aimed at turning around the country's lowest-performing schools, Andrea Gonzalez-Kirwin, a Camden assistant superintendent, said Tuesday.

Seven Camden elementary and middle schools, as well as Woodrow Wilson and Camden High Schools, qualify for the aid - known as School Improvement Grants - but the district would have to commit to some potentially drastic remedies. Among the options are closing buildings and removing principals and a majority of the teaching staffs.

A district official did not return calls for information about measures the district might enact to receive the funds. Some school board members have expressed doubt about whether pursuing the aid would be worthwhile.

One of the nine schools, the South Camden Alternative School, is among those the district plans to close due to state aid cuts.

Schundler expressed interest Wednesday in looking at the state and city's plans for the $100 million renovation of Camden High. He did so after community advocate Angel Cordero criticized the proposal to turn it into a "mega-school" that might incorporate some of the city's magnet high schools.

District officials have said the magnets - such as Brimm Medical Arts High School - could become learning communities within Camden High. Camden and Woodrow Wilson, they said, already are home to small learning communities.

Schundler said large buildings "can work sometimes," but he said small buildings can be easier to manage. He gave the example of schools with a gang problem.

In recent state legislation, Camden was among a number of cities whose mayors were given additional control over their school districts. Schundler said there were no immediate plans to remove the state fiscal monitor from the district, however.