ACLU sues Newark, N.J., over Facebook founder's $100 million donation to school system

From The Newark Star-Ledger: The ACLU of New Jersey says it is suing Newark, demanding the release of correspondence related to a $100 million donation to the city's school system by Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg. The lawsuit seeks communications about the donation between and among Zuckerberg, Newark Mayor Cory Booker, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, and Acting Education Commissioner Chris Cerf. The ACLU contends that because the donation will significantly affect Newark public school children, the city is obligated to be transparent about how the money was obtained and how it will be spent. APRIL 2011....from USA Today: Six months after Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg said he was giving $100 million to improve 's strapped and struggling schools in Newark, N.J., $99 million is still sitting in the bank. Some reasons: Gov. Chris Christie fired the district superintendent in February, and a new leader hasn't been named. Also, a plan that called for closing some schools and letting charter schools share space with public schools infuriated parents.

September 2010...From The New York Times: Mark Zuckerberg, chief executive and a founder of Facebook, has agreed to donate $100 million to improve the long-troubled public schools in Newark, N.J.,, and New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie will cede some control of the state-run system to Mayor Cory A. Booker in conjunction with the huge gift, officials say.