Steve Adubato Sr.
Stephen N Adubato Sr | |
---|---|
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Born | Newark,New Jersey,U.S. | December 24, 1932
Died | October 13, 2020 | (aged 87)
Nationality | American |
Alma mater | Seton Hall University |
Occupations | |
Spouse |
Frances Calvello (m.1954) |
Children | 3, includingSteve Jr. |
Stephen N. Adubato Sr.(December 24, 1932 – October 13, 2020)[1]was an American politician and teacher, notable inNewark, New Jersey.[2]
Early life and education
[edit]Stephen N. Adubato Sr. grew up in Newark, New Jersey, one of five siblings.[3]His father died in 1950 at the age of 44.
He graduated fromBarringer High Schoolin Newark in 1949 and received his bachelor's degree in political science fromSeton Hall Universityin 1954. Adubato attendedRutgers Law School,but did not complete his degree. He began his career in education as a history and government teacher in the Newark public school system, where he taught for 15 years. While teaching, he obtained a master's degree in education from Seton Hall University in 1960 and completed the coursework for a doctorate in education. Adubato was awarded an honorary doctorate fromKean Universityon May 11, 2010.[4]
Career
[edit]In 1962, Adubato ran for office as a Democratic District Leader in Newark's North Ward, to which he was elected. In 1968 he was elected as North Ward Democratic party chairman.[5]
Adubato served on the executive board of the Newark Teachers' Union and worked as their legislative representative and he was a consultant to the New Jersey chancellor of higher education.[6]
In 1970, he founded The North Ward Educational and Cultural Center in a small office on the second floor of a storefront on Bloomfield Avenue in Newark.[7]The name was later changed toThe North Ward Center.In 1973, The North Ward Center purchased the Clark Mansion, which previously housed the Prospect Country and Day School, a financially troubled private school that could not restore nor maintain the historical integrity of the facility.[8]
In 1997, The North Ward Center founded theRobert Treat Academy Charter School,one of the first charter schools authorized by theNew Jersey Department of Education.The school has 675 students in grades K-8.[9]In 2008, Robert Treat was named a Blue Ribbon school by theUS Department of Education.In August 2009, Robert Treat opened a second campus in the former St. Mary's school on the campus of theNewark Abbey.[10][11]
In August 2009, Adubato stepped down as executive director. His daughter, Michele Adubato, is the current CEO. HistorianTerry Golwayhas referred to Adubato as "the legendarybossof Newark’s North Ward. "[12]
Personal life
[edit]He married Frances Calvello in 1954. They had three children, including politicianSteve Adubato Jr.
Adubato died on October 13, 2020, after a long illness at the age of 87.[1][13]
References
[edit]- ^ab"Hugely influential Newark power broker Steve Adubato Sr. dies at 87".Politico.Retrieved16 October2020.
- ^http://njmonthly.com/articles/lifestyle/people/hes-no-angel.htmlNew Jersey Monthly2008
- ^"New Jersey's Greatest Political Teacher—Stephen N. Adubato".Insider NJ.2017-05-01.Retrieved2020-07-20.
- ^Local Talk News Editor"Kean University to award honorary degree to North Ward Center founder"Archived2010-05-19 at theWayback Machine,LocalTalkNews.com, May 7, 2010. Accessed May 17, 2010
- ^Schlager, Ken."He's No Angel",njmonthly.com,October 13, 2009. Accessed January 6, 2010.
- ^"The Party Boss, the Poet, the Ringing of Booker's Ears, and Mo Butler's Moment".Observer.2016-02-01.Retrieved2020-07-20.
- ^Mays, Jeffrey"Adubato stepping down as Newark center head"The Star-Ledger,April 28, 2009.
- ^"northwardcenter.org".Accessed May 17, 2010.
- ^"Steve Adubato, Sr. ⋆ Thomas Jay Warren, Sculptor".Thomas Jay Warren, Sculptor.Retrieved2020-07-20.
- ^Santiago, Katherine."Robert Treat Academy to open second campus in Newark's Central Ward",The Star-Ledger,Aug. 10, 2009. Accessed May 17, 2010
- ^Board, Tom Moran | Star-Ledger Editorial (2012-11-18)."Moran: Steve Adubato Sr. tarnishes legacy with cheating, ethics scandals".nj.Retrieved2020-07-20.
- ^Golway, Terry (9 October 2011)."In NJ, governors get the praise but political 'bosses' do work".The Star-Ledger.Newark, New Jersey.Retrieved30 November2015.
Knowledge of how things actually work, rather than how theorists said they should work, led Steven Adubato Sr., the legendary boss of Newark's North Ward, to take the lead in charter school reform, launching the Robert Treat Academy in reaction to the realities of public school failure in his city.
- ^"Steve Adubato, Sr., legendary Newark political and civic leader, dies at 87".New Jersey Globe.Retrieved16 October2020.