Nine candidates running for the Newark Public Schools Advisory Board attended a March 28, 2012 forum hosted by the Newark Trust for Education's Committee of Advocates.NEWARK, NJ -- Nine candidates running in the Newark Public Schools Advisory Board election discussed the issues facing city schools at a forum Wednesday hosted by The Newark Trust for Education's Committee of Advocates.

The forum, held in Smith Hall at Essex County College, attracted more than 300 people. The nine candidates answered questions posed by moderator Richard Cammarieri, a Newark resident and former board member.

"One of the goals of the Newark Trust for Education is to raise the level of civic discourse around education issues in Newark," said Ross Danis, the executive director of the Trust. "We accomplished that goal tonight."

Newark Public Schools, the Foundation for Newark’s Future (FNF), and the Newark Trust for Education (NET) announced $350,000 of grant money for shared campuses in Newark.  The shared campuses and schools list includes:

The Rev. M. William Howard Jr., the pastor of Bethany Baptist Church in Newark, was recently appointed to the Board of Directors of the Newark Trust for Education, the city's local education fund.

"We are honored to have Rev. Howard on our board," said Ross Danis, the executive director of the Newark Trust for Education. "His knowledge and experience will help ensure that all of Newark's children receive a quality public education."

The Newark Trust for Education, a permanent local education fund serving Newark public schools, has announced the appointment of a new vice chair and two additional members of the Board of Directors who will be instrumental in the roll-out of programs and initiatives to improve education outcomes for the city’s school children.

Ross Danis, executive director of the Trust,  said   Shané Harris, vice president, Community Resources at Prudential and vice president of The Prudential Foundation, has been appointed vice chair of the Board.   Harris is responsible for management of the staff and program strategy for The Prudential Foundation and overseeing the distribution of approximately $25 million in Foundation grants each year.