More than 100 shut out of Newark school meeting after auditorium fills to capacity
Published: Tuesday, March 22, 2011, 8:01 PM Updated: Tuesday, March 22, 2011, 8:14 PM
NEWARK — Chants of "Let us in!" rang out among the more than 100 people who turned out for Newark's monthly school board meeting who were barred from entering Barringer High School's auditorium.
Security guards at the entrances said the room was over capacity based on fire safety codes. But for the parents, teachers and students pressing the school's blue metal doors, this was an unacceptable excuse.
"If it's an open forum, it should be open to the public," said Lydia Murcado, a Newark teacher whose children attend Catholic schools. "They should at least have speakers out here so we can hear what's going on inside."
Instead those waiting by the doors were treated to speakers blasting support for Kris Pernell, a