Paterson School Board Member Halts Mayoral Bid to Focus on School Closures

Kenneth Simmons steps aside from mayoral race to fight planned closure of four elementary schools in Paterson.

Published on Feb. 24, 2026

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Paterson Board of Education Commissioner Kenneth Simmons has announced that he will not pursue a mayoral bid at this time, choosing instead to focus his efforts on fighting the planned closure of four elementary Choice Schools in the city. Simmons criticized the decision-making process and the potential impact the closures could have on enrollment and the community.

Why it matters

The planned school closures have sparked outrage among Paterson parents, who feel the district made the decision without adequate community input. Simmons' decision to step away from a mayoral campaign underscores the significance of this issue, as he believes it requires his full attention to build coalitions and hold district leadership accountable.

The details

The Paterson school district has announced plans to close four elementary Choice Schools - Alexander Hamilton Academy, Renaissance School 1, Norman S. Weir, and Young Men's Leadership Academy - at the end of the current school year, affecting around 1,000 students. Simmons criticized the decision-making process, saying the closures were announced without a formal board vote or adequate community input. He argued the closures could accelerate enrollment losses and push more families toward charter schools, while also raising concerns about merging students from different neighborhoods.

  • The school closures are planned for the end of the 2026-27 school year.
  • Paterson's mayoral election is scheduled for May 12, 2026.

The players

Kenneth Simmons

Paterson Board of Education Commissioner who has decided to halt his mayoral campaign to focus on fighting the planned school closures.

Andre Sayegh

Current Mayor of Paterson, expected to be on the ballot for re-election.

Mohammed Akhtaruzzaman

Prospective mayoral candidate in Paterson.

Mike Jackson

First Ward Councilman in Paterson, expected to be on the mayoral ballot.

Alex Mendez

Third Ward Councilman in Paterson, expected to be on the mayoral ballot.

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What they’re saying

“I have spent the past several weeks listening, in living rooms, in supermarkets, in parking lots after board meetings, to parents whose children came home in tears when they learned their school was closing. I have heard from families who chose Alexander Hamilton Academy, Renaissance School 1, Norman S. Weir, and Young Men's Leadership Academy because they believed in what those schools stood for. They trusted the district. And the district blindsided them with a Friday email.”

— Kenneth Simmons, Paterson Board of Education Commissioner (TAPinto Paterson)

“What Paterson's children need is not a restructuring plan designed in a boardroom. They need a community-led process, one where parents have a real seat at the table before decisions are made, not after. They need transparent budget conversations that prioritize students over administrative convenience. They need advocacy that treats their schools as assets worth fighting for, not liabilities to be quietly eliminated.”

— Kenneth Simmons, Paterson Board of Education Commissioner (TAPinto Paterson)

What’s next

Simmons plans to focus on coalition-building and accountability efforts aimed at district leadership and elected officials to address the school closure issue.

The takeaway

This decision by Simmons highlights the deep community opposition to the planned school closures in Paterson and the need for a more transparent and inclusive decision-making process that prioritizes the needs of students and families over administrative convenience.