newjerseynewsroom.com

The New Jersey Charter Schools Association has chosen a new leader credited with helping grow the numbers of charter schools in Illinois.

The association announced Carlos Pérez as its new chief executive officer during a Chicago conference where he gave presentations on expanding the charter school model and harnessing the support of parents.

In revealing the choice after an "exhaustive" search, NJCSA Chairman Carlos Lejnieks praised Pérez for his "bold vision and ability." Pérez has been serving as director of public policy for the Illinois Network of Charter Schools.

While there, he was responsible for advocacy and outreach, including legislative policy, constituency growth and regulatory advocacy. During his tenure, the state Legislature passed a bill doubling the number of charter schools in Illinois, to 120. Similar growth is needed in New Jersey, he said.

"With more than 20,000 students on waiting lists, demand for charter schools is strong in New Jersey," Pérez said in a statement released by the NJCSA. "Though the number of schools has grown is 67 since the charter model was first authorized by the Legislature in 1996, the rate of growth has slowed in recent years."

Pérez In New Jersey, Pérez said he also will focus on closing the quality gap between low and high performing charter schools, and protecting and equalizing funding levels.

"I look forward to working with charter school operators, parents, advocates and lawmakers to ensure New Jersey regains its foothold as a leader of the charter school movement," he said.

Pérez joined the INCS in 2005 after working as an organizer in immigrant and Latino communities.

A graduate of Truman State University in Missouri, Pérez expects to complete his master's degree in public services this summer at DePaul University. He succeeds Jessani Gordon, who left the NJCSA in January and now works for the state Department of Education.

— JOE TYRRELL, NEWJERSEYNEWSROOM.COM