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NJ Spotlight--Explainer: Little Known, Council on Local Mandates Wields Big Stick
Panel has power to void state laws by ruling they constitute an unfunded mandate on towns, counties and school boards
In the 1980s, local officials in New Jersey had grown tired of Trenton imposing new duties that would make them raise property taxes. So they began pushing to make the state at least pay for the mandates it foisted on them.
A decade later, in 1995, New Jersey voters amended the state constitution to make the state pay for things it required municipal, school and county officials to do. The New Jersey Council on Local Mandates (NJCOLM) was born.
Colleen O'Dea | November 27, 2019 | Explainer
NJ Spotlight--Paterson School District’s Financial Woes Continue, Awaits Emergency State Aid
Shortfall of $63 million projected in coming fiscal year after loss of 128 teaching positions last year due to budget constraints
As they await word from Trenton on their plea for financial help, leaders of Paterson public schools say they once again are trying to stretch a budget already so thin that class sizes for most students far exceed state standards.
“The data shows that 3,000 classes are overcrowded right now,” said Rosie Grant, executive director of the Paterson Education Fund, a nonprofit that advocates for the city schools. “That’s devastating. It’s heartbreaking.”
Joanna Gagis, NJTV News | November 27, 2019 | Education
Star Ledger--Top Democrat wants to lift property tax cap for some N.J. schools. Murphy says no.
State Senate President Stephen Sweeney announced this past weekend he’s working on a proposal that would allow some New Jersey school districts to make up for recent cuts in state aid by raising property taxes above the state limit.
But the plan may be dead on arrival. In his latest disagreement with Sweeney, Gov. Phil Murphy signaled Monday he isn’t supportive of the idea.
Brent Johnson | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com| Updated Nov 26, 2019;Posted Nov 26, 2019
Education Week--Twice Exceptional' Students Miss Out on Gifted Classes
'Twice exceptional' students often get overlooked
Audrey Judd is a 5th grader with dyslexia. She has also been identified as gifted and talented. Some call that combination "twice exceptional."
https://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2019/11/27/twice-exceptional-students-miss-out-on-gifted.html
Alex Harwin| November 25, 2019
Education Dive--50 States of Ed: Do choice policies 'undermine' or remain 'vital' to public education?
While experts suggest there is "strong reason for concern" with school choice policies, advocates say they are pivotal for equity.
Addressing a crowd of business leaders earlier this month, U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos reiterated her call for choice-based education reform policies.
“America’s antiquated approach to education fails too many students,” DeVos said before calling attention to her $5 billion annual federal income tax credit plan to fund choice initiatives. “It’s really about unleashing thousands of not yet imagined ways for students to learn.”
But is it?
Naaz Modan| Nov. 26, 2019
