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4-12-10 p.m. nj.com, 2:07 pm Monday 4-12: "Local school budgets are up for a vote next Tuesday, April 20. If a budget is not approved, it goes to the local governing body for further cuts... "If school budgets are rejected and they come to this commissioner of education for relief, they're not going to find much relief," Christie said..."
GSCS FYI - See body of letter here that GSCS members are circulating/have written to their legislators re: Governor Christie's statement today asking folks to fail their school budgets in districts where teachers have not agreed to a wage freeze:
"...The [article attached/click on More below] details statements made today by Governor Christie urging voters to reject school budgets in districts where employees have not agreed to salary freezes. This suggestion is tantamount to encouraging voters to punish the majority of the state's children for something over which neither they, nor their parents have any control. Given the tools available to local school Boards, we have little control either. Despite the strenuous efforts of most Boards in New Jersey, the majority of union locals have not agreed to wage freezes. As you know, they cannot be imposed unilaterally.
I find it incredible that a Governor who has already deprived every New Jersey school district of 5% of its school budget has now encouraged voters to reject the budgets that incorporate those enormous cuts.
I know each of you are supporters of the state's schoolchildren and of public education. At this time, when public education is threatened in our state as never before, I encourage you to speak up against this latest attack. High quality public education is the hallmark of a civilized society. Please advocate now for our children before it is too late."
GSCS comments:'The GSCS board is very concerned and opposed to the Governor using the local budget elections as a way to strike at the NJEA.
If, as has repeatedly been stated, the battle is between the Governor and the NJEA, then why would Gov. Christie visit that issue so harshly, negatively and directly on local schools and students?
Candidly, our members - who have been trying so hard to get the local associations to negotiate concessions - feel todays' statement, so close to April 20 school budget elections, to be a slap in the face. And, one that will likley have a lasting impact on how people perceive their relationship to Trenton.
With the cuts of $260M in school aid and $90M in surplus reduction to our 100 GSCS member suburban districts alone, we all recognize that quality education is at serious risk. Folks are legitimately worried about public education programs in New Jersey. Now, they should and will be even more, if that is possible.
We ask for clarification on this already-published statement of today (nj.com), and if it is true and contextual, we ask the Governor to reconsider his position.' (Article accuracy verified by Governor's office late afternoon 4-12-10)
Gov. Chris Christie urges voters to reject school districts' budgets without wage freezes for teachers
By Claire Heininger/Statehouse Bureau
April 12, 2010, 2:07PM
TRENTON -- Gov. Chris Christie today urged voters to reject school budget proposals in districts where teachers have not agreed to a wage freeze -- the majority of districts statewide.
The Republican governor's state budget would cut aid to schools by $820 million, leading districts to propose staff layoffs and cuts in educational and extracurricular programs. Christie has urged local school boards and teachers' unions to offset some of those cuts by implementing wage freezes and contributions to employee health benefits. While more than 100 districts' budgets include some type of salary freeze -- when administrators and other staff are included -- few of those involve teachers, according to the governor's office.
• Look up budget cuts by school district
"I just don't see how citizens should want to support a budget where their teachers have not wanted to be part of the shared sacrifice," Christie said at a Princeton news conference highlighting business development incentives.
Previous coverage:
• Somerset County teachers, students protest Gov. Christie's budget cuts
• Bergen County teachers union memo jokes about death of Gov. Chris Christie
• N.J. teachers converge on Trenton to oppose pension changes
• State workers march across N.J. to protest Christie's budget cuts
• N.J. Gov. Chris Christie calls for teachers, school workers to accept wage freeze to prevent layoffs
• N.J. Senate approves sweeping pension changes for public employees
• Complete coverage of the 2010 New Jersey State Budget
Local school budgets are up for a vote next Tuesday, April 20. If a budget is not approved, it goes to the local governing body for further cuts, and districts can also ask Education Commissioner Bret Schundler for relief.
"If school budgets are rejected and they come to this commissioner of education for relief, they're not going to find much relief," Christie said.
Many local education and union officials say Christie's cuts are too deep to be solved by wage and benefit concessions alone. The New Jersey Education Association teachers' union has criticized the governor for not reinstating a temporary income tax increase on the wealthiest residents instead of cutting schools.
Christie got a boost in that struggle last Friday with the revelation of a memo by the Bergen County affiliate of the NJEA. The memo contained a prayer alluding to the governor's death, which Christie said proved his argument that teachers are reasonable but their union leaders are the uncompromising "bullies of State Street."
Local union officials said the prayer was meant as a joke, but it prompted NJEA president Barbara Keshishian to publicly apologize. Christie declined to say today whether he accepted the apology.
I find it incredible that a Governor who has already deprived every New Jersey school district of 5% of its school budget has now encouraged voters to reject the budgets that incorporate those enormous cuts.
I know each of you are supporters of the state's schoolchildren and of public education. At this time, when public education is threatened in our state as never before, I encourage you to speak up against this latest attack. High quality public education is the hallmark of a civilized society. Please advocate now for our children before it is too late."
4-12-10 p.m.
Body of letter that GSCS members are circulating/have written to their legislators re Gov statement today asking folks to fail their school budgets in districts where teachers have not agreed to a wage freeze:
"...The link listed below details statements made today by Governor Christie urging voters to reject school budgets in districts where employees have not agreed to salary freezes. This suggestion is tantamount to encouraging voters to punish the majority of the state's children for something over which neither they, nor their parents have any control. Given the tools available to local school Boards, we have little control either. Despite the strenuous efforts of most Boards in New Jersey, the majority of union locals have not agreed to wage freezes. As you know, they cannot be imposed unilaterally.
I find it incredible that a Governor who has already deprived every New Jersey school district of 5% of its school budget has now encouraged voters to reject the budgets that incorporate those enormous cuts.
I know each of you are supporters of the state's schoolchildren and of public education. At this time, when public education is threatened in our state as never before, I encourage you to speak up against this latest attack. High quality public education is the hallmark of a civilized society. Please advocate now for our children before it is too late."
http://www.nj.com/news/index.
GSCS comments:
"The GSCS board is very concerned and opposed to the Governor using the local budget elections as a way to strike at the NJEA.
If, as has repeatedly been stated, the battle is between the Governor and the NJEA, then why would Gov. Christie visit that issue so harshly, negatively and directly on local schools and students?
Candidly, our members - who have been trying so hard to get the local associations to negotiate concessions - feel todays' statement, so close to April 20 school budget elections, to be a slap in the face. And, one that will likley have a lasting impact on how people perceive their relationship to Trenton.
With the cuts of $260M in school aid and $90M in surplus reduction to our 100 GSCS member suburban districts alone, we all recognize that quality education is at serious risk. Folks are legitimately worried about public education programs in New Jersey. Now, they should and will be even more, if that is possible.
We ask for clarification on this already-published statement of today (nj.com), and if it is true and contextual, we ask the Governor to reconsider his position." (The accuracy of the article was verified by the governor's office 4-12-10 approx. 5 p.m.)
