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7-1-08 Recent 'News of Note'

When GSCS testifies on issues that contradict the oft-referenced ‘savings’ that policy-makers state consolidation would bring to property taxpayers if schools were merged, GSCS consistently talks to problems that would arise that could stymie districts from achieving consolidation that will work to that ‘savings effect’. One of those issues is how property taxes would be locally impacted. Currently one or more districts in a consolidation effort would wind up paying more in taxes because their school tax rates would increase. Another stand out issue is how to merge teaching staff and their salary scales. The article immediately below is an example of the contradiction. Click on the “More” at the bottom of these article excerpts to read the full story…

Merging schools / Law makes it hard Press of Atlantic City

“A proposal to close Sea Isle City's elementary school and send its 80 or so K-8 students to Ocean City seemed like a win-win plan...But the plan recently fell apart....The issue of school consolidation has been a hot topic in New Jersey and is being promoted heavily by both the state Legislature and the governor. But often it is the state's own laws that make it difficult to accomplish....a blanket policy that mandates hiring all teachers [by the receiving, new regionalize district], even if they are not needed, is a poor use of taxpayer funds..."

Press of Atlantic City - Preschools get to work on business of going full-time

"...The poorest districts will be required to offer preschool to all 3- and 4-year-olds. The rest will have to provide it for all children eligible for the free and reduced meal program.... The 2008-09 school year is a planning year for the expansion to full-day programs...The 2008-09 school year is a planning year for [those programs where the high % of free and reduced lunch students requires] expansion to full-day programs."

Star Ledger - Corzine signs a 'painful' budget He also acts to restrain spending in years ahead

Gannett News Bureau/published in Asbury Park Press 7-1-08 Corzine calls budget new beginning; GOP disagrees

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6-25-08 'State to borrow 3.9B for school construction'
Press of Atlantic City article '...Lynne Strickland, executive director of the Garden State Coalition of Schools, said while the bill will help suburban schools, she is still concerned that the process for distributing the $950 million is not yet defined and has been left up to the commissioner of education.' "They just came up [made it public] with this over the weekend," she said. "It just feels unfinished."
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6-24-08 State Budget passed yesterday, as did the School Construction, Pension Reform, and Affordable Housing bills
GSCS welcomes a stable school construction program, including the addition of $950M for regular operating districts to the $3.9B total awarded in this bill ($2.9B is set aside for the former Abbott districts, and $50M for County Vocational Schools). Given that this bill only rolled out in full in the last several days, GSCS also has expressed its concerns to the Administration over how the funding process will work. That process still needs to be spelled out via Commissioner of Education emergency regulations. We look forward to a continuing dialogue with the administration as the regulations are designed and developed. Click on More to read articles on yesterday's budget passage...
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6-23-08 A2873-S1457 School Construction bills up for vote today, along with State Budget FY09
Click on More for GSCS' initial review/issues
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6-21-08 State Budget moving towards conclusion
PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER N.J. lawmakers reach accord on budget TRENTON - Lawmakers hammered out an agreement on benefits for new government employees late last night, clearing the way for a vote on the state budget in both houses of the Legislature on Monday. > "We've reached an agreement with the Assembly," said Sen. Barbara Buono (D., Middlesex). "It's a victory for the taxpayers."

THE RECORD State legislators add bond issue for public schools

New Jersey legislators – capping months of debate Friday over a state budget that would cut spending by millions – added $1.4 billion to a $2.5 billion bond issue for building public schools.

THE RECORD Backroom budget brokering at the Statehouse Friday, June 20, 2008
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6-20-08 Later Friday, the school construction bill for 3.9B passed out of both Senate and Assembly Budget committees, along party lines
This is an important bill with ramifications for the educational and fiscal well-being of New Jersey's schools, as well as the state budget. The bill set aside $2.9B for Abbott school districts. While $950M is set aside for regular operating districts - and $50M for county vocational schools. The budget committees substituted amendment language to the legislation at the last minute; GSCS does have some concerns regarding reduction % of aid to regular operating districts, as well as a new tiering proposal...
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6-20-08 State Budget stalls, School Construction is one obstacle
While the Administration and the legislature were optimistic about putting the State Budget for FY09 to rest yesterday that did not happen. Bills corollary to the budget proposal's passage are not resolved, thus the budget committees are meeting today and there will be voting session days next week as well as more committee meetings. Pension reform and school construction are standing out as thorny issues.

N.J. budget proposal stalls in Senate Philadelphia Inquirer Trenton Bureau "...Around 8 p.m., Senate Budget Committee members said they needed more time to work out details of the pension and school construction legislation. Some senators have tied their budget support to passage of those bills..."

June 20, 2008 Corzine vigorously pushes school construction ASSOCIATED PRESS

"As New Jersey lawmakers struggle to resolve differences over key spending bills, Gov. Jon S. Corzine is forcefully pushing borrowing billions without voter approval for new school construction.

"We have a legal obligation, we have a moral obligation and I frankly think we have an economic obligation," Corzine said...Some legislators have proposed borrowing up to $3.5 [3.9 as of later yesterday] billion to restart the program, but others want to ask voters to approve the spending..."

Ledger - Corzine urges school construction He calls on legislators to restart stalled program with an extra $3.9B
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TO BE CONFIRMED - GSCS TENTATIVE CALENDAR 2008-2009
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6-18-08 School Construction bill is before Senate Budget & Appropriations Committee tomorrow - GSCS is tracking the issue
Associated Press/Philadelphia Inquirer - 'N.J. may borrow for schools Some lawmakers want voter approval before seeking $3.5 billion for school construction.'
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A2800 - Proposed State Budget bill released 6-17-08
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6-17-08 Legislature and Governor agree on State Budget FY09
'A public hearing will be held on the spending plan at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday in the Statehouse Annex. It is on track for final passage by Monday [Ledger]'.....The state constitution requires that a budget be in place by July 1......Assembly Budget Wednesday, June 18, 2008 - 9:30 AM Meeting - Committee Room 11, 4th Floor, State House Annex, Trenton, NJ The committee will take public testimony on Assembly Bill No. 2800, the appropriations bill for Fiscal Year 2008-2009.

The Ledger - Gov, Dems shake on a $32.8B budget "Gov. Jon Corzine and legislative leaders Monday agreed on a $32.8 billion state budget that the governor said will include "unprecedented" spending cuts and a new way to help New Jersey pay down its debt.'

Asbury Park Press - Budget agreed to in principle; details to come....GANNETT STATE BUREAU "Legislative leaders and Gov. Jon S. Corzine reached an agreement in principle Monday on a new state budget that the governor said will reduce spending by about $600 million."
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6-17-08 School Facilities funding bill scheduled for hearing 6-20 in Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee
Bill S1457Rice-Turner would provide 2.5B for Abbott schools, 750M for regular operating districts, and 250M for county technical schools....In 2000, the school construction law provided 6B for Abbott districts, 2.5B for regular operating districts, and 100M for county technical schools.....Another facilities bill that is in the wings is A2873 Coutinho, which "Increases EDA bonding limit by $2.5 billion for State share of School Development Authority district school (Abbott)facilities projects and specifies that debt service for these bonds shall first be payable from revenues received from gross income tax." These bills remain a 'work in progress' and will likely be amended and/or combined this Thursday. GSCS is watching the bills and will keep you informed.
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6-17-08 School bills passed in Assembly
Click on more for vote tallies and disposition of these bills
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