Garden State Coalition of Schools/GSCS

Twentieth Annual Meeting

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Call to Order: The meeting was called to order at 9:15 am by President David Abbott.

Nominating Committee Report: Vice President Elisabeth Ginsburg presented the Nominating Committee Report, as follows:

President—Dr. David Abbott, Superintendent, Marlboro
President Elect—Dr. Judy Wilson, Superintendent, Princeton
Treasurer—Dr. James Crisfeld, Superintendent, Millburn
Vice President—Ms. Meredith Shaw, Board Member, East Brunswick
Vice President—Ms. Elisabeth Ginsburg, Board President, Glen Ridge
Past President—Dr. Daniel Fishbein, Superintendent, Ridgewood
Member Districts, Class of 2014—Cherry Hill, Glen Ridge, Brick Township, Marlboro, Millburn, Metuchen, Moorestown, Princeton

A motion to approve the slate of officers and 2014 trustee districts was made, seconded and approved.

Treasurer’s Report: Dr. Judy Wilson reported that the budget is balanced for 2011-2012, based on the assumption that the organization will grow by 11 new districts. A motion to accept the budget was made, seconded and approved.

Remarks, President: Dr. Abbott welcomed attendees and paid tribute to the organization’s 20 year track record of success for member districts. He thanked Ms. Strickland for her continuing leadership of GSCS.

Executive Director’s Report: Ms. Strickland thanked Dr. Abbott, outgoing Past President Jim O’Neill, GSCS Executive Director’s Assistant, Linda Nelson and GSCS Bookkeeper Joanne D’Angelo for their service to GSCS. In celebration of the organization’s 20 year anniversary, Ms. Strickland recounted the history of successful GSCS initiatives over the years. She noted that the group is well known in Trenton as well as New Jersey education circles for effective communication and organization.

Panel Discussion: Ms. Strickland introduced the Legislative Panel, which included Senator Thomas H. Kean, Jr., Senate Majority Leader (R-Dist. 21); Assemblyman Patrick J. Diegnan, Jr., Assembly Education Chair (D-Dist. 18); Assemblywoman Mila Jasey, Assembly Education Committee Member (D-Dist. 27; and Assemblyman Declan O’Scanlon, Assembly Minority Budget Officer (R-Dist. 12)

Discussion and audience questions focused on changes in education funding, charter schools, teacher tenure and evaluation and the possible effects of the imminent NJ Supreme Court decision on funding for Abbott and possibly other districts.

Reporters’ Conversation: Ms. Strickland introduced and moderted a panel of reporters that included: Lisa Fleisher, Wall Street Journal: Jason Method, NJ Press Media/ Gannett; John Mooney, NJ Spotlight; and Charles Stile, columnist, The Record/Herald News.

The reporters’ discussion centered on many of the same issues as the legislators’ panel. The reporters gave their thoughts on where the additional projected state revenues should go and the possible effects of the “game changing” pending Supreme Court decision. There was also discussion about per pupil spending and the newly implemented changes to the DOE’s Comparative Spending Guide. The impending legislative redistricting and its possible effects were also discussed.

Adjournment: President Elect Judy Wilson adjourned the meeting at 11:45