She's doing such a good job that he wants to spread her goodness around to fix other schools?

That's frustrating or untrue.

Jersey City School 39 faces turmoil; parents opposing superintendent's plan to move principal to another school

Tuesday, June 29, 2010
By MELISSA HAYES
JOURNAL STAFF WRITER

Parents at Jersey City's School 39 are protesting news that Principal Esther Lawz will be relocated in September.

The move is one of many being implemented by Superintendent of Schools Charles T. Epps Jr. as part of a districtwide shakeup in hopes of improving test scores at schools that have failed to meet state standards year after year.

"It's for the betterment of the district, the betterment of the schools," Epps said yesterday. "Sometimes change sparks a lot of energy, a lot of challenges. That's what I'm trying to do."

Parents at School 39 don't want to see Lawz go and plan to protest 6:30 tonight at the school, 214 Plainfield Ave. They're also circulating a petition to force Epps to back down.

The school's Parent Team vice president Michelle Collins gives Lawz an "A-plus" for turning around what was a failing a school.

"She brought our test scores up with the dedication of her and her staff," Collins said. "She works well with the parents and the students and her staff."

"She's highly motivated," Collins added. "The students don't want her to leave, they respect her."

Parent Team President Samantha Moore said Lawz has brought stability to the school, something parents are afraid of losing with her departure.

Lawz could not be reached for comment yesterday.

Epps said he looked at the expertise of different staff members - principals, vice principals and supervisors - and moved people where they are needed most.

"I'm trying to move the district forward," he said. "It's about the children, nothing else."

He has not yet made his other changes public.