Paterson schools remain closed after storm, flooding; will reopen in January

Joe Malinconico
Updated ·1 min read
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PATERSON — Faced with persistent flooding problems, city education officials have decided to shut down the schools for the rest of this week.

Superintendent Laurie Newell said the number of city streets affected by the flooding has continued to rise.

Ducks shared the road with cars that were left stranded in floodwaters on River Street in Paterson, NJ on Monday Dec. 18, 2023.
Ducks shared the road with cars that were left stranded in floodwaters on River Street in Paterson, NJ on Monday Dec. 18, 2023.

“We would like to have kids in school, but we also are very concerned about safety and security,” Newell said during Wednesday night’s Board of Education meeting.

She said about 30 city streets are still affected by flooding.

More storm coverage: When will the flooding and evacuations end in North Jersey?

Revised school calendar coming

Paterson schools this week opened only on Monday morning — a decision questioned by some parents and staff members in light of the approaching storm. The district had an early dismissal Monday, and its more than 50 schools have not reopened since then. Officials said they would be issuing a revised school calendar for 2023-24 to ensure that Paterson complies with the state requirement for 180 instruction days.

“With the travel conditions being what they are, I cannot in good conscience ask our students and staff to endure the persistent hazardous conditions to report to school and for work,” Newell said.

The district will reopen on Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2024, officials said. Schools were previously scheduled to be closed next week for a holiday break.

Joe Malinconico is editor of Paterson Press. Email: editor@patersonpress.com

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Paterson NJ: Flooding, storm aftermath keep schools shut