Newark Students Demand Mental Health and Facilities Reforms

Student coalition presses school board to include their voices in district decision-making

Feb. 5, 2026 at 5:47pm

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A student-led coalition in Newark, New Jersey has suggested policy addendums to the Board of Education in an effort to be included in decision-making on topics such as mental health struggles, inadequate support services and crumbling building infrastructure. The Youth Power Action Coalition and The Gem Project have attended board meetings since August, sharing research findings and proposing changes to the district's policies on crisis intervention and long-range facilities planning.

Why it matters

Newark students have repeatedly shared their firsthand experiences with mental health challenges and the impact of deteriorating school facilities on their learning. This student-led effort aims to establish systems that give students a voice in addressing these critical issues impacting their education and well-being.

The details

The proposed addendums call for a district-wide Student Mental Health and Wellness Data and Engagement System co-developed with students, as well as a School Facilities Condition Reporting Tool where students can report and track facility concerns. The plans also require annual facilities reviews, quarterly status dashboards, and implementation timelines for the new systems.

  • The Youth Power Action Coalition has attended and addressed the board since August 2025.
  • The coalition presented the policy addendums at the January 22, 2026 Board of Education meeting.
  • The proposed timeline includes a pilot survey and tracking system in fall 2026, with district-wide implementation in spring 2027.

The players

Youth Power Action Coalition

A student-led coalition that has been pressing the Newark Board of Education to include student voices in district decision-making.

The Gem Project

A nonprofit organization focused on strengthening youth engagement and addressing injustice within education, health, criminal justice and democracy.

Fatoumata Bah

A senior at Science Park High School and member of the Youth Power Action Coalition.

Cidell Torto

A junior at Science Park High School and a member of the Youth Power Action Coalition.

Jairo Loaza Lima

A member of the Youth Power Action Coalition.

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What they’re saying

“These addendums don't just live on paper for us. They show up in our classrooms and in our everyday school experience.”

— Fatoumata Bah, Senior, Science Park High School

“I've watched students hesitate to ask for help because they don't know whom to go to, or because the last time they tried, nothing happened. This creates a system where students are regularly asked how they're doing, not only when things fall apart and when it's too late, but a system where mental health support doesn't depend on how loud your crisis is or how brave you are to ask twice, a system where reaching out actually leads to a follow-up.”

— Fatoumata Bah, Senior, Science Park High School

“There is a mental health crisis and the current policies are not working.”

— Cidell Torto, Junior, Science Park High School

“it makes it more than apparent how much you all really care.”

— Cidell Torto, Junior, Science Park High School

“This is not about placing pressure on the board, but about meeting responsibility with responsibility. Students have done what's been asked on their end, and are ready to continue working collaboratively with educators in leadership.”

— Jairo Loaza Lima, Member, Youth Power Action Coalition

What’s next

The board and Youth Power Action Coalition have ongoing meetings to discuss involving student voices in the democratic process. The board has been asked to provide clarity on next steps, a timeline related to student mental health initiatives, and how student feedback will be incorporated into district planning.

The takeaway

Newark students are taking a proactive, collaborative approach to addressing critical issues like mental health support and school facilities that directly impact their education and well-being. Their efforts to partner with the school board demonstrate a commitment to being part of the solution and a desire for their voices to be heard in the decision-making process.