Quality Public Education for All New Jersey Students

 

 
     5-1-12 Department of Education Release explains policy rationals for new rate methodology, federal requirements for revision of gradnuation rates
     4-11,12-12 p.m - Governor's Press Release re Priority, Focus and Rewards Schools Final list...PolitickerNJ and NJ Spotlight articles
     3-30-13 Education in the News - Dept of Education-State Budget, Autism Rates in NJ
     3-20-12 Education Issues in the News
     GSCS State Budget FY 2012-2013 Testimony
     2-29-12 NJTV on NJ School Funding...and, Reporters' Roundtable back on the aire
     2-26-12 State budget, School Elections, and Federal Grant funds for local reform initiatives
     2-24-12 Headlines from around NJ - from Google (hit on nj education-nj budget)
     2-23-12 Education in the News - Education reform noted in state budget message; Facebook grant to Newark teachers
     STATE AID DISTRICT LIST - PROPOSED for FY 2012-2013
     Education Funding Report on School Funding Reform Act (SFRA) issued 2-23-12
     Text of Gov. Christie's State Budget Message, given Feb. 21, 2012
     2-22-12 School Aid in State Budget Message - Is There a Devil in the Details
     2-21-12 State Budget Message for Fiscal Year 2012-2013
     1-24-12 Supreme Court Justices Nominated by Governor Christie
     1-17-12 Breaking News - Governor delivers State of the State Message, Signs 'November Vote' bill, A4394
     List of PRIORITY, FOCUS and REWARDS SCHOOLS per DOE Application on ESEA (NCLB) Waiver
     Education Transformation Task Force Initial Report...45 recommendations for starters
     9-12-11 Governor's Press Notice & Fact Sheet re: Education Transformation Task Force Report
     7-14-11 State GUIDANCE re: Using Additional State Aid as Property Tax Relief in this FY'12 Budget year.PDF
     7-14-11 DOE Guidance on Local Options for using Additional State School Aid in FY'12 State Budget.PDF
     FY'12 State School Aid District-by-District Listing, per Appropriations Act, released 110711
     7-12-11 pm District by District Listing of State Aid for FY'12 - Guidelines to be released later this week (xls)
     6-1-11 Supreme Court Justice nominee, Anne Paterson, passed muster with Senate Judiciary Committee yesterday by 11-1 margin
     4-26-11 School Elections, Randi Weingarten in NJ, Special Educ Aid, Shared Services bill
     4-25-11 Charter Schools in Suburbia: More Argument than Agreement
     4-24-11 Major Education Issues in the News
     4-21-11 Supreme Court hears school funding argument
     4-14-11 Governor Releases Legislation to Address Education Reform Package
     4-13-11 Governor's Proposed Legislation on Education Reform April 2011
     4-5-11 Education Issues in the News
     4-8-11 Education Issues in the News
     4-7-11 Gov. Christie - 'Addressing New Jersey's Most Pressing Education Challenges'
     4-7-11 Early news coverage & press releases - Governor's Brooking Inst. presentation on his education reform agenda
     4-3-11Press of Atlantic City - Pending Supreme Court ruling could boost aid to New Jersey schools
     4-2-11 The Record - Charter school in Hackensack among 58 bids
     4-1-11 N.J. gets 58 charter school applications
     3-30-11 Acting Commr Cerf talks to School Administrators about Gov's Education Reform agenda
     3-26-11 New Jersey’s school-funding battle could use a dose of reality
     Link to Special Master Judge Doyne's Recommendations on School Funding law to the Supreme Court 3-22-11
     3-22-11 Special Master's Report to the Supreme Court: State did not meet its school funding obligation
     GSCS 3-7-11Testimony on State Budget as Proposed by the Governor for FY'12 before the Senate Budget Committee
     3-4-11 'Teacher Evaluation Task Force Files Its Report'
     3-6-11 Poll: Tenure reform being positively received by the public
     Link to Teacher Evaluation Task Force Report
     GSCS Take on Governor's Budget Message
     Gov's Budget Message for Fiscal Year 2010-2011 Today, 2pm
     Tenure Reform - Video patch to Commissioner Cerf's presentation on 2-16-10
     2-16-11 Commissioner Cerf to introduce education reform plans...School construction...Speaker Oliver on vouchers
     2-16-11 Commissioner Cerf talks to educators on Tenure, Merit Pay , related reforms agenda
     9-23-10 Breaking News - Star Ledger ‘Facebook CEO Zuckerberg to donate $100M to Newark schools on Oprah Winfrey Show’
     1-7-11 Opinion: The Record - Doblin: ‘Students are collateral damage in Christie’s war’
     2-7-11Grassroots at Work in the Suburbs
     1-13-11 Supreme Court Appoints Special Master for remand Hearing
     1-20-11 GSCS Testimony before Senator Buono's Education Aid Impact hearing in Edison
     12-16-10 p,m. BREAKINGS NEWS: Christopher Cerf to be named NJ Education Commissioner
     GSCS Board of Trustees endorsed ACTION LETTER to Trenton asking for caution on Charter School expansion
     12-12-10 'Rash of upcoming superintendent retirements raises questions on Gov. Christie's pay cap'
     12-8-10 Education & Related Issues in the News - Tenure Reform, Sup't Salary Caps Reactions, Property Valuations Inflated
     12-7-10 Education Issues continue in the news
     12-6-10 njspotlight.com 'Christie to Name New Education Commissioner by Year End'
     12-5-10 New York Times 'A Bleak Budget Outlook for Public Broadcasters'
     12-5-10 Sunday News - Education-related Issues
     GSCS Education Forum Stayed Focused on Quality Education
     11-19-10 In the News - First Hearing held on Superintendent Salary Caps at Kean University
     11-15-10 GSCS meeting with Assembly Speaker Sheila Oliver
     11-18-10 Superintendent Salary Caps to be publicly discussed tonight at Kean University
     Governor's Toolkit Summary - Updated November 2010
     10-8-10 Education Issue in the News
     9-29-10 Christie Education Reform proposals in The News
     9-15-10 'Governor Christie outlines cuts to N.J. workers' pension, benefits'
     9-1-10 Education in the News
     8-31-10 Latest development: Schunder's margin notes reveal application error
     8-27-10 later morning - breaking news: Statehouse Bureau ‘Gov. Chris Christie fires N.J. schools chief Bret Schundler’
     8-27-10 Star Ledger ‘U.S. officials refute Christie on attempt to fix Race to the Top application during presentation’
     8-25-10 Race to the Top articles - the 'day after' news analysis
     8-24-10 Race to the Top Award Recipients named
     8-23-10 S2208 (Sarlo-Allen prime sponsors) passes 36-0 (4 members 'not voting') in the Senate on 8-23-10
     8-18-10 Property Tax Cap v. Prior Negotiated Agreements a Big Problem for Schools and Communities
     8-16-10 Senate Education hears 'for discussion only' comments re expanding charter school authorization process; Commissioner Schundler relays education priorities to the Committee
     7-22-10 'Summer school falls victim to budget cuts in many suburban towns'
     7-21-10 List of bills in Governor's 'Toolkit'
     Governor's Toolkit bills listing
     7-16-10 GSCS Information & Comments - S29 Property Tax Cap Law and Proposal to Reduce Superintendent salaries ....
     7-15 & 16 -10 'Caps - PLURAL!' in the news
     7-12-10 Assembly passes S29 - the 2% cap bill - 73 to 4, with 3 not voting
     GSCS re:PropertyTax Cap bill - Exemption needed for Special Education enrollment costs
     7-8-10 Tax Caps, Education in the News
     GSCS:Tax Cap Exemption needed for Special Education Costs
     7-3-10 Governor Christie and Legislative leaders reached agreement today on a 2% property tax cap with 4 major exemptions
     7-1 and 2- 10 Governor Christie convened the Legislature to address property tax reform
     6-29-10 GSCS - The question remains: ? Whither property Tax Reform
     GSCS On the Scene in Trenton: State Budget poised to pass late Monday...Cap Proposals, Opportunity Scholarship Act in Limbo
     GSCS On the Scene in Trenton: Cap Proposals, Opportunity Scholarship Act in Limbo
     6-11-10 In the News: State Budget moving ahead on schedule
     6-10-10 Op-Ed in Trenton Times Sunday June 6 2010
     Recently proposed legislation S2043 brings back Last Best Offer (LBO) for school boards in negotiations
     6-8-10 Education issues in the news today - including 'hold' on pension reform, round two
     6-8-10 (posted) Education & Related Issues in the News
     6-4-10 Education News
     6-3-10 RTTT controversy remains top news - articles and editorials, column
     6-2-10 RACE TO THE TOP (RTTT) 'NJ STYLE': It is what it is ...but what exactly is it? Race to the Top application is caught in a crossfire of reports - more information and clarity is needed
     6-2-10 RACE TO THE TOP (RTTT) 'NJ STYLE' :It is what it is ...but what exactly is it? Race to the Top application is caught in a crossfire of reports - more information and clarity is needed.
     GSCS 'QUICK' THOUGHT - Will the Administration's reform legislation being introduced just this month- May - have a fair chance for productive debate and analysis
     5-11-10 njspotlight.com focuses on NJ's plans for and reactions to education reform
     ADMINISTRATION'S PLANS CITED FOR ROUND 2 - RACE TO THE TOP GRANT
     5-8 & 9-10 Education Reform Proposals Annoucned
     5-9-10 'Gov Christie to propose permanent caps on salary raises for public workers'
     5-3-10 Newsflash! Governor Christie makes NJ Supreme Court appointment
     Office on Legislative Services Analysis of Department of Educaiton - State Budget for FY'11
     4-23-10 Education issues remain headline news
     4-22-10 School Elections - in the News Today
     Hear about Governor Christie's noontime press conference tonight
     4-21-10 News on School Election Results
     4-21-10 Assoc. Press 'NJ voters reject majority of school budgets'
     4-18-10 Sunday Op-eds on school budget vote: Jim O'Neill & Gov Christie
     4-19-10 Lt. Gov. Guadagno's Red Tape Review Group initial Report released
     4-13-10 Commissioner Schundler before Senate Budget Committee - early reports....progress on budget election issue
     4-12-10 'Gov. urges voters to reject school districts' budgets without wage freezes for teachers'
     4-6-10 'Gov. Chris Chrisite extends dealdine for teacher salary concessions'
     4-2-10 'On Titanic, NJEA isn't King of the World'
     Administration's presentation on education school aid in its 'Budget in Brief' published with Governor Christie's Budget Message
     4-1-10 New Initiatives outlined to encourage wage freezes - reaction
     3-29-10 The Record and Asbury Park Press - Editorials
     3-26-10 GSCS: Effective & Well-Reasoned Communication with State Leaders is Critical
     3-23-10 GSCS Testimony presented to Senate Budget Committee on State Budget FY'11
     3-23-10 ' N.J. Gov. Chris Christie signs pension, benefits changes for state employees'
     3-21-10 Sunday News from Around the State - School Communities, School Budgets and State Budget Issues
     3-17-10 Budget News - Gov. Chris Christie proposes sacrifices
     3-16-10 Link to Budget in Brief publication
     3-15-10mid-day: 'Gov. Christie plans to cut NJ school aid by $800M'
     3-14-10 'Christie will propose constitutional amendment to cap tax hikes in N.J. budget'
     3-15-10 'N.J. taxpayers owe pension fund $45.8 billion' The Record
     3-11-10 'GOP vows tools to cut expenses, tighter caps'
     3-9-10 'NJ leaders face tough choices on budget'
     3-5-10 HomeTowne Video taping + interviews of GSCS Summit@Summit
     3-5-10 GSCS Summit@Summit with Bret Schundler to be lead topic on Hall Institute's weekly 2:30 pm podcast today
     3-4-10 'School aid cuts unavoidable during NJ budget crisis'
     3-3-10 'Public Education in N.J.: Acting NJ Comm of Educ Bret Schundler says 'Opportunity'
     Flyer: March 2 Education Summit Keynote Speaker - Education Commissioner Bret Schundler - Confirmed
     2-25-10 Gov. Christie's Red Tape Review Comm., chaired by Lt. Gov. Guadagno, to hold public hearings In March
     2-22-10 Christie and unions poised to do batttle over budget cuts'
     2-22-10 Trenton Active Today
     2-19-10 'Acting NJ education commissioner hoping other savings can ward off cuts'
     Flyer for March 2 Education 'Summit@Summit'
     2-16-10 'Christie Adopts Corzine Cuts, Then Some'
     2-14-10 'FAQ's on NJ's state of fiscal emergency declaration by Gov. Christie'
     2-12-10 Assembly Budget hearing posted for this Wednesday, Feb. 17
     FY2010 Budget Solutions - PRESS PACKET
     State Aid Memo (2-11-10) 2 pgs
     2-12-10 News Coverage: Governor Christie's message on actions to address current fiscal year state budget deficits
     2-11-10 Gov Christie address to Joint Session of the Legislature on state budget and current year aid reduction remains scheduled for today
     2-10-10 'Schools are likely targets for NJ budget cuts'
     2-9-10 News article posted this morning notes potential for large loss of current year school aid
     2-8-10 Northjersey.com editorial 'Tightenting our Belts'
     2-8-10'Gov Christie, lawmakers proporse sweeping pension, health care changes for public employees'
     2-2-10 GSCS BOARD TO MEET WITH COMMISSIONER BRET SCHUNDLER TODAY
     1-28-10 School Surplus plan to supplant State Aid in this year gaining probability
     Governor Christie's Education Team Transition Report
     Governor Christie Education Transition Team Report , released 1-22-10
     1-21-10'N.J.'s Christie won't rule out layoffs, furloughs to close unexpected $1.2B deficit'
     1-20-10 Editorials, Commentary on New Governor in Trenton
     1-19-10 Chris Christie - Inauguration Day
     1-18-10 Advance news on 'Christie as new Governor'
     1-14-10 'N.J. Gov.-elect Christie targets teachers' union with Schundler appointment'
     1-14-10 'To lead schools, Christie picks voucher advocate'
     1-13-10 More articles, plus Wikipedia information re New Education Commissioner, Bret Schundler
     1-13-10 Christie Press Conference reports
     1-13-10 Christie's New Commissioner of Education to be announced today - 12:30 Statehouse Press Conference
     1-13-10 New Commissioner of Education to be announced today - 12:30 Statehouse Press Conference
     1-12-10 Moving on...'Budget plan a wrinkle for districts'
     1-11-10 Transition News
     1-7-10 'N.J. Gov-elect Christie blast Democrats for lame-duck actions'
     12-27-09 'New Jersey competes for education reform stimulus money' (aka 'Race to the Top' funds)
     12-23-09 GSCS: Governor Corzine targets excess school surplus to replace state aid payments starting in Feb '10 - lame duck legislation anticipated
     12-15-09 GSCS is working with the Christie Transition Team
     12-12 & 13-09 Education Issues in the News
     12-11-09 'Gov.-elect Chris Christie's team got its signals crossed on education funding application'
     12-9-09 Governor-elect Christie talks more about his thougths for education
     12-5-09 'Once powerful teachers union faces tough times with Christie'
     12-3 Governor-Elect Chris Christie Announces Key Appointments
     12-3-09 'Gov.-elect Christie visits North Brunswick to talk with educators on district challenges'
     (12-8-09) GSCS Board of Trustees representatives to meet with Christie 'Red Tape' Group
     11-23-09 Governor-elect Christie names Transition Team Subcommittee members
     11-13-09 Chrisite's Budget Transition Team Annouced
     11-13-09 Education Week on: Gov-elect Christie's Education Agenda; Race to the Top Funds Rules
     11-12-09 Governor-elect Christie names his 10 member transition team
3-29-10 The Record and Asbury Park Press - Editorials
The Record editorial: 'School budget 101' Monday, March 29, 2010 - IT'S DECISION time "...The local board of education is just one leg of a three-legged stool. Employees and parents can help bring budgets into balance.....We support the call by Governor Christie to ask unions to agree to a wage freeze. Many school administrators have already agreed to do so — including in Montvale. Teachers and other staff members should do the same. Virtually every school district is trying to reopen contracts. A survey of 23 districts found that wage freezes would save them $59 million next year, according to the state School Boards Association.....It's not the whole answer. But it's a big part. The NJEA and other state representatives should return to the bargaining table. And Christie may need to re-examine his vow not to renew the so-called "millionaire's" income tax for one year..."

Christie to teachers: "Step up to the plate" AN ASBURY PARK PRESS EDITORIAL • March 28, 2010

"...One by one, school districts have been announcing plans to cut jobs, programs, busing and more. If the teachers union pushes for districts to agree to Christie's plan, a lot of those cuts could be halted.

The fight to reign in school spending desperately needed someone to step into the ring on behalf of the taxpayers. Christie did. Hopefully, both sides can shake hands and come out working together — for the children's sake."

The Record editorial: School budget 101

Monday, March 29, 2010
Last updated: Monday March 29, 2010, 6:52 AM

The Record

IT'S DECISION time.

Local school districts are facing an especially tough budget season this year, with historic cuts in state aid, sky-high benefits costs, struggling taxpayers and understandably worried parents.

This week, school boards will finalize their budget proposals, which must be submitted to the state by Saturday. We support a wide range of spending cuts and revenue boosters for next year, given the especially difficult finances plaguing every level of government — and many North Jersey households.

The cuts under consideration are deep. Virtually every district is planning layoffs, from three positions in Ringwood to 138 jobs in Passaic.

Consider Montvale, a small K-8 district that lost 90 percent of its anticipated state aid. The board proposed axing the middle school athletic program, music teachers, a librarian/media specialist, a guidance counselor and two classroom teachers, Staff Writer Denisa Superville reported. The priority: maintaining "core academic programs, in terms of class sizes," Superintendent William Belluzzi said.

That is how many districts are approaching the cuts. And it is understandable. Conventional wisdom says smaller classes equal better learning, and most research backs that up.

But keeping class sizes small must not be the only priority. It can't come at the expense of all clubs and sports. What doesn't sound essential to many grown-ups is very much at the core of how children learn and grow.

Who can deny the importance of learning that doesn't happen behind a desk? Of physical fitness and playing on a team, performing onstage in the school play or debate club, building the robot of one's dreams, mastering an instrument, exploring a foreign culture and forming the sort of lifelong friendships that flourish after the last bell rings?

We realize these are lofty questions to ask amid dwindling dollars and cents.

The local board of education is just one leg of a three-legged stool. Employees and parents can help bring budgets into balance.

We support the call by Governor Christie to ask unions to agree to a wage freeze. Many school administrators have already agreed to do so — including in Montvale. Teachers and other staff members should do the same. Virtually every school district is trying to reopen contracts. A survey of 23 districts found that wage freezes would save them $59 million next year, according to the state School Boards Association.

It's not the whole answer. But it's a big part. The NJEA and other state representatives should return to the bargaining table. And Christie may need to re-examine his vow not to renew the so-called "millionaire's" income tax for one year.

Activity fees paid by families, such as those under consideration in Tenafly and Wayne, can be part of the solution too. The Record's editorial page has not favored such fees in the past, because it would immediately separate the "haves" who could afford to pay from the "have-nots." That shouldn't happen in public schools, which were designed to be free to all.

But if the choice is between cancelling activities and adding a temporary fee, we are of a different view. This is an exceptional situation. We're hopeful that school districts will be in a better financial state this time next year. Districts should consider activity fees in communities where parents are likely to pay them, but not from students who receive free or reduced-price school lunches. Ridgewood and West Milford already have such fees; nearly one-third of school districts surveyed by the state School Boards Association are proposing them.

Virtually every school district is holding final public budget hearings this week. Community members and employees should attend with an open mind. Targeted program cuts, fees for service and wage freezes can help bring budgets into balance — without cutting the history club, soccer or the school play.

IT'S DECISION time.

Local school districts are facing an especially tough budget season this year, with historic cuts in state aid, sky-high benefits costs, struggling taxpayers and understandably worried parents.

This week, school boards will finalize their budget proposals, which must be submitted to the state by Saturday. We support a wide range of spending cuts and revenue boosters for next year, given the especially difficult finances plaguing every level of government — and many North Jersey households.

The cuts under consideration are deep. Virtually every district is planning layoffs, from three positions in Ringwood to 138 jobs in Passaic.

Consider Montvale, a small K-8 district that lost 90 percent of its anticipated state aid. The board proposed axing the middle school athletic program, music teachers, a librarian/media specialist, a guidance counselor and two classroom teachers, Staff Writer Denisa Superville reported. The priority: maintaining "core academic programs, in terms of class sizes," Superintendent William Belluzzi said.

That is how many districts are approaching the cuts. And it is understandable. Conventional wisdom says smaller classes equal better learning, and most research backs that up.

But keeping class sizes small must not be the only priority. It can't come at the expense of all clubs and sports. What doesn't sound essential to many grown-ups is very much at the core of how children learn and grow.

Who can deny the importance of learning that doesn't happen behind a desk? Of physical fitness and playing on a team, performing onstage in the school play or debate club, building the robot of one's dreams, mastering an instrument, exploring a foreign culture and forming the sort of lifelong friendships that flourish after the last bell rings?

We realize these are lofty questions to ask amid dwindling dollars and cents.

The local board of education is just one leg of a three-legged stool. Employees and parents can help bring budgets into balance.

We support the call by Governor Christie to ask unions to agree to a wage freeze. Many school administrators have already agreed to do so — including in Montvale. Teachers and other staff members should do the same. Virtually every school district is trying to reopen contracts. A survey of 23 districts found that wage freezes would save them $59 million next year, according to the state School Boards Association.

It's not the whole answer. But it's a big part. The NJEA and other state representatives should return to the bargaining table. And Christie may need to re-examine his vow not to renew the so-called "millionaire's" income tax for one year.

Activity fees paid by families, such as those under consideration in Tenafly and Wayne, can be part of the solution too. The Record's editorial page has not favored such fees in the past, because it would immediately separate the "haves" who could afford to pay from the "have-nots." That shouldn't happen in public schools, which were designed to be free to all.

But if the choice is between cancelling activities and adding a temporary fee, we are of a different view. This is an exceptional situation. We're hopeful that school districts will be in a better financial state this time next year. Districts should consider activity fees in communities where parents are likely to pay them, but not from students who receive free or reduced-price school lunches. Ridgewood and West Milford already have such fees; nearly one-third of school districts surveyed by the state School Boards Association are proposing them.

Virtually every school district is holding final public budget hearings this week. Community members and employees should attend with an open mind. Targeted program cuts, fees for service and wage freezes can help bring budgets into balance — without cutting the history club, soccer or the school play.

 

Christie to teachers: "Step up
to the plate"

AN ASBURY PARK PRESS EDITORIAL • March 28,
2010

As boards of education across the state were
sending notices to teachers, administrators and staff
that layoffs and program cuts are on the horizon,
Gov. Chris Christie threw down the gauntlet to about
180,000 members of the New Jersey Education
Association: Accept a pay freeze and contribute
more toward their health benefits to avoid
widespread layoffs and property tax increases.

The NJEA threw it back, insisting that money should
come from extending a tax on the wealthy.
Hopefully, local unions won't be so resistant.

Teachers shouldn't be forced to give up their
contractual agreements, but if their motivation — as
Christie said — is that "it's all about the kids," they'd
go a long way in proving that if they voluntarily
gave up the automatic salary hikes that are built into
many of their contracts and made a modest
contribution toward their benefits.

In a letter to the NJEA, Christie on Tuesday asked
that all school districts and local education
associations reopen teacher contracts. Speaking to
the Asbury Park Press editorial board the same day,
Christie said a wage freeze and contribution of 1.5
percent of salaries toward health benefits would
save taxpayers $800 million and nearly make up for
all the state's cuts in school aid. If it were "all about
the kids," you'd think the NJEA would support that
idea, as it would keep more teachers in the schools
and help keep taxes down during these troubling
economic times.

 

Think again. Instead, NJEA President Barbara
Keshishian balked at the request, suggesting others
be taxed to pay for education and saying "NJEA
members will not be bullied by this governor into
paying for his misguided priorities."

Christie had some motivation earlier Tuesday from a
woman in Somerville who expressed the frustrations
felt by many non-public sector workers. She had her
pay frozen for two years, and indeed received less
money last year because of three weeks of
furloughs.

"She had very little sympathy for the teacher's union,
which has had 4- and 5- percent salary increases
and very little contribution toward their health
expenses," Christie said.


Indeed, many private sector workers would be doing
cartwheels down the street if they had a pay raise, or
even a pay freeze, as opposed to pay cuts,
furloughs and layoffs that reduced or eliminated
their income in the last few years.

And Christie said the average teacher earning
$50,000 a year, by contributing a paltry 1.5 percent
of his or her salary toward benefits, would pay a
total of $750 per year for full medical and dental
coverage for their families. It's mind-boggling that
anyone would argue against such a meager
contribution.

If unions heed his call, Christie should also find a
way to help out those that have been frugal all
along. Not every district has been on a wild
spending spree and for some, the pay freeze and
health care giveback won't come close to the cuts in
state aid.

Christie's practically got the boxing gloves on for

this one, ready to take on the NJEA. "It it's all about
the children, then step up to the plate," Christie said
Tuesday.

Everything Christie said makes sense. The New
Jersey School Boards Association supported his call,
saying it agreed with his findings that the pay freeze
and modest givebacks toward benefits would save
jobs and prevent heavy property tax increases. How
can the NJEA argue with that? The NJEA instead said
he should extend a surcharge on the state's
wealthiest residents.

But Christie pointed out that New Jersey's school
salary and benefit costs are the highest in the
nation, and they're rising at three times the rate of
inflation. It's time for teacher unions and school
boards to get in touch with reality.

One by one, school districts have been announcing
plans to cut jobs, programs, busing and more. If the
teachers union pushes for districts to agree to
Christie's plan, a lot of those cuts could be halted.

The fight to reign in school spending desperately
needed someone to step into the ring on behalf of
the taxpayers. Christie did. Hopefully, both sides
can shake hands and come out working together —
for the children's sake.