Schundler, Forrester address school concerns

Published in the Asbury Park Press 06/4/05

BY LILO H. STAINTON
GANNETT STATE BUREAU

MONROE — The two leading contenders for the Republican nomination for governor discussed the link between education, property taxes and fiscal mismanagement during a forum sponsored Friday by a statewide group of suburban school districts.

The appearances by Doug Forrester and Bret Schundler overlapped at the event, hosted by the Garden State Coalition of Schools five days before the primary election, but the candidates did not debate or directly interact.

Each addressed the group of 120 parents, administrators and school board members and answered the same questions on issues like state funding, local spending restrictions, the use of vouchers and charter schools.

Schundler, who spoke first, assured the audience his plan to control state spending would free up additional money for schools and basic community services, such as police and fire. His proposal to cap school districts' spending growth would have little impact on thrifty suburban districts, he insisted.

"You would have enough funding to cover all your rising costs and even be able to lower property taxes at the same time," said Schundler, the 2001 gubernatorial nominee. "What I'm proposing is that you get funding without having to beg for it ... and you have the freedom to do a lot more creative things."

Forrester, who arrived as Schundler was answering questions, stuck close to his traditional stump speech, drawing a link between corruption and rising property taxes, and didn't discuss education directly. His plan to root out "waste, fraud and abuse" would free up more money for school programs, he said.

"The problem is we allow it (corruption) to continue. And it siphons public resources and keeps it from families that need it," said Forrester, who ran for U.S. Senate in 2002. "Until we have clear standards for public accounting and resources ... we will not move forward."

Lynne Strickland, executive director of the coalition, said the group invited the Republican front-runners to ensure education was a campaign issue. Originally, the plan called for both candidates to appear together, but — when Forrester's camp complained of a scheduling conflict — they spoke sequentially, with Schundler lingering until the end.

"We will talk education with anyone, anytime," Strickland said.

Strickland said the organization didn't invite the other five Republicans in the primary field to keep the discussion focused. The winner of the Tuesday primary will almost certainly face Democratic U.S. Sen. Jon Corzine in the fall.

Bogota Mayor Steve Lonegan appeared at the schools forum briefly but left quietly when told he could not speak. The Republican field also includes former Bergen County Freeholder Todd Caliguire, Assemblyman Paul DiGaetano, Morris County Freeholder John Murphy, and businessman Robert Schroeder.

The educators asked Schundler and Forrester for their opinions on vouchers — which help students in low-performing schools pay for a private school — and charter schools. Schundler reiterated his support for both; Forrester backed charter schools but said the use of vouchers "threatens funding and decision-making for public schools."

The two Republicans also split when questioned on the need for a school budget referendum. Schundler said the annual vote isn't needed, especially under his plan that caps school spending. Forrester said it was important to encourage local participation.

Asked about state spending in the poor, urban Abbott schools — which under court order get more state funds than suburban schools — Schundler said his plan would reign in Abbott spending until other districts could "catch up" to their higher rate of per pupil spending.

Forrester blamed the state courts for a "flawed decision" that forces the state to send more money to poor districts, but also acknowledged that he would "operate within the constraints of the law."

Assemblyman Craig A. Stanley, D-Essex, said he was concerned both candidates are critical of the Abbott funding plan, which he says also benefits suburban districts. References to scandals involving the Newark arena and urban school construction reinforce negative stereotypes about corrupt big-city governments, he said.

"I'm a little concerned that we're hearing race baiting," Stanley, the chairman of the Assembly Education Committee, said after the forum. 

Lilo H. Stainton: lstaint@gannett.com