Quality Public Education for All New Jersey Students

 

 
     GSCS Email-Net Archive - Recent and Selected Posting
     GSCS Email-Net 11-16-10
     GSCS News 'Email-Net' Archive, beginning 2009
     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
     3-4-10 GSCS Email-Net: Summit @ Summit Report - A New Day in Trenton?
     2-12-10 Gov Chrisite's Message re Current Yr Deficit
     2-16-10 Email-net March @ Summit at Summit
     1-26-10 GSCS Email-Net Christie Era Begins
     1-20-10 GSCS Heads Up FYI.docx
     1-6-10 GSCS Email-Net Lame Duck Watch
     12-15-09 Email-Net
     11-9-09 GSCS Email-Net: Request to Trustee Districts
     11-6-09 GSCS Email-Net: Important Post-Election Information
     11-5-09 GSCS Email-Net: Election Information - Christie on Education - and Request to Member Districts
     11-3-09 GSCS Email-Net: Today is Election Day - Coverage, more
     10-21-09 GSCS EMAIL-NET: Commissioner Davy to be at GSCS meeting in Atlantic City
     10-15-09 GSCS Email-Net: Compare Corzine-Christie re education
     9-25-09 GSCS EMAIL-NETOn GSCS Radar Screen, Intro Cons. Cntct
     9-14-09 GSCS EMAILNET Welcome 2009-2010
     6-24-09 GSCS EMAILNET Heads Up FYI
     6-22 & 24 (update) - 09 GSCS EMAILNET FYI re bills A4140, A1489, A4142
     6-19-09 a.m. GSCS 'Quick' FYI - State Budget Vote delayed to Thursday, June 25
     6-15-09 GSCS Heads Up FYI
     6-12-09 EMAILNET
     6-4-09 EMAILNET
     5-19-09 Treasurer David Rousseau announces additional round of cuts to Gov's proposed State Budget FY2009-2010
     5-14-09 GSCS Heads Up - State Aid payments to be delayed into next Fiscal Year
     428-09 EMAILNET Abbott & SFRA; DOE before State Budget Committees
     4-17-09 EMAILNET Federal Stimulus Title 1 and IDEA Allocations Announced
     4-2-09 EMAILNET & GSCS FYI for April 2009
     3-27-09 EMAILNET
     3-16-09 EMAILNET
     3-6-09 GSCS March FYI - Trenton & GSCS Happenings & more
     2-23-09 EMAILNET
     2-12-09 EMAILNET GSCS Message for State Budget FY10: STABILITY & FAIRNESS
     1-30-09 EMAILNET Fed Stimulus Proposal, School Vote, Stability & Fairness
     1-24-09 EMAILNET Federal Stimulus proposal - local district impact listing
     1-17-09 GSCS EMAILNET & SCHOOL FUNDING OVERVIEW
     1-17-09 GSCS EMAILNET
     Education excerpts from House Fed Stimulus package in GSCS 1-15-09 Heads Up
     GSCS 1-15-09 'Heads Up' - House Releases its Fed Stimulus Package
     January 2009 GSCS FYI
     1-5-09 EMAILNET Gov Announces Spending Reductions for FY0809 Today
     12-21-08 GSCS EMAILNET - Excerpts
     10-31-08 EMAILNET
     10-17-08 EMAILNET
     9-29-08 GSCS EMAILNET
     9-12-08 GSCS EMAILNET
     7-2-08 EMAILNET FYI
     6-17-08 EMAILNET FYI, State Budget Agreement, School Construction bill moving towards passage
     6-10-08 GSCS EMAILNET FYI Trenton focus
     5-30-08 EMAILNET FYI - GSCS ANNUAL MTG NEWS BRIEFS
     4-16-08 EMAILNETSchool Budget Elections early results
     1-18-07 GSCS EMAILNET FYI
     1-14-08 EMAILNET Governor Corzine Sign funding legisation into law 1-13-08 at Drumthwacket
     1-11-08 EMAILNET Funding legislation passes - Aftermath
     1-4-08 EMAILNET GSCS statement on current funding proposal - leaning negative
     1-3-08 EMAILNET Aid proposal - update & analysis
     12-21-07 EMAILNET - GSCS spots 'Giveback' provision in draft bill - a flip flop?
     12-19-07 Proposed Funding formula - update
     12-12-07 EMAILNET Funding Plan proposal to be released today, no bill yet
     12-7-07 EMAILNET Jt Committees schedule hearing on new school funding plan, Commissioner Davy to present
     12-6-07 EMAILNET Funding bill - emerging issues
     12-1-07 EMAILNET FYI Governor Corzine present new school funding formula concepts
     11-30-07 EMAILNET FYI
     11-13-07 GSCS EMAILNET
     11-6-07 EMAILNET
     10-15-07 GSCS EMAILNET
     10-1-07 GSCS EMAILNET
     071015 EMAILNET
     071001 EMAILNET
     9-21-07 EMAILNET
     7-31-07 EMAILNET Status of School Funding Formula, more
     7-10-07 EMAILNET Includes GSCS ADVOCACY PACKET Need for new school funding formula, more
     6-29-07 EMAILNET Lots of news affeccting your schools and communities
     6-22-07 EMAILNET State Budget Passes last night
     6-14-07 GSCS FYI EMAILNET State Budge FY08 Revisions to State Budget filed today
     6-13-07 GSCS EMAILNET
     5-18-07 EMAILNET School Funding Formula Needed Now
     3-30-07 EMAILNET
     3-21-07 EMAILNET
     3-6-07 EMAILNET State Budget hearings, State Aid, Grassroots activities
     2-22-07 GSCS EMAILNET re Gov's Budget Message
     2-20-07 EMAILNET FYI - AMID joins GSCS
     2-12-07 EMAILNET SCHOOL AID & PROPERTY TAX HELP NEEDED NOW
     2-9-07 GSCS EMAILNET MEMBER FYI on Trenton legislation Action
     1-26-07 EMAILNET TRENTON UPDATE: A4 CORE Plan on Assembly Agenda Monday; A1 The 4% Tax Cap bill not yet introduced but still possible for Assembly agenda 1-29 also
     1-19-07 EMAILNET
     1-2 & 3-07 EMAILNET GSCS Resolution, Fast Track Property Tax bills
     12-15-06 EMAILNET Bills Held!
     11-14-06GSCS FYI EMAILNET - Spec Session Jt Comm Reports due out 11-15-06
     11-11-06 EMAILNET Special Session Legislative Committees report Nov. 14 or 15
     11-7-06 EMAILNET Special Education Categorical aid at risk and more
     10-21-06 EMAILNET Spec Session, press conference, GSCS board mtg inAtl. City
     10-5-06 EMAILNET
     9-22-06 EMAILNET
     9-20-06 EMAILNET Special Session news & testimonies
     9-15-06 EMAILNET Special Session; School Construction Report Released
     9-7-06 EMAILNET Special Session & Trenton Update
     8-31-06 EMAILNET re Sept 5 Jt Comm on Pub Schl Funding mtg
     7-21-06 GSCS QUICKNET
     8-24-06 EMAILNET Special Session Update
     8-18-06 EMAILNET
     8-2-06 EMAILNET Special Session fyi, more
     7-28-06 GSCS 'QUICKNET' direct from Trenton
     7-28-06 GSCS 'QUICKNET' from Trenton on Special Session
     7-27-06 GSCS 'QUICKNET' Property Tax Session info
     7-14-06 EMAILNET
     7-11-06 EMAILNET FYI
     7-7-06 EMAILNET - AGREEMENT ON STATE BUDGET REACHED, impt 'details' still being finalized
     6-29-06 GSCS 'QUICKNET FYI' Update on State Budget for FY 2007
     6-22-06 EMAILNET on the Homepage today
     6-12-06 EMAILNET - Extraordinary Special Education student aid; FY07 Budget 'crunch' is on; news clips
     6-6-06 EMAILNET On the Homepage today
     6-2-06 EMAILNET
     5-16-06 EMAILNET Action in Trenton
     5-10-06 EMAILNET
     5-5-06 EMAILNET
     4-26-06 EMAILNET Member Question 6-8 Rally
     4-24-06 EMAILNET
     4-17-06 EMAILNET
     4-11-06 EMAILNET FYI Hompage...your help requested
     3-29-06 EMAILNET State Budget FY07 Hearings Update
     3-24-06 EMAILNET FYI Update on Gov Corzine's Budget FY07
     3-23-06 EMAILNET Corzine says some Abbotts can raise taxes
     3-22-06 EMAILNET Governor Corzine's Budget Message
     3-10-06 EMAILNET On the Homepage Today
     3-9-06 EMAILNETto South Jersey districts
     3-7-06 Articles on Gov's Budget Summit and School Board members off to Trenton
     3-7-06 EMAILNET S1701 Call to Action at Gov Corzine Public Hearing
     3-3-06 EMAILNET Budget discussions begin in earnest
     3-3-06 EMAILNET Budget Discussions begin in earnest
     3-1-06 EMAILNET State Budget FY07, Health Benefits
     2-1-06 EMAILNET GSCS Advocacy FY07 Budget; On the Homepage Today
     1-19-06 EMAILNET Quick Facts, On the Homepage Today
     1-5-06 EMAILNET Revised: Quick Facts, State Board Legal Committee school funding decision, legislative update
     12-16-05 EMAILNET
     12-12-05 EMAILNET Bills move out of Assembly Education Committee
     12-3-05 EMAILNET Heads Up!
     11-28-05 S1701 EMAILNET Alert
     11-15-05 EMAILNET
     11-10-05 [REISSUE] EMAILNET Update on S1701
     11-8-05 EMAILNET You are invited to December 7 Symposium on School Funding
     11-1-05 EMAILNET More information on Gubernatorial Candidates
     10-28-05 EMAILNET S1701 resignation, Gubernatorial election information
     10-20-14 EMAILNET At the top of the GSCS Home Page Today
     10-14-05 EMAILNET Parent question for Gubernatorial Candidates aired on 101.5 debate, SCC funds, Next Board meeting, press briefing notes
     9-29-05 EMAILNET School Construction Issues
     9-23-05 EMAILNET Follow Up Parents in Trenton Press Conference
     8-30-05 EMAILNET Invitation to Parents in Trenton Press Conference
     9-9-05 EMAILNET
     7-29-05 EMAILNET
     7-14-05 EMAILNET School Aid Inequity & S1701 amendments update
     7-8-05 EMAILNET GSCS Take on the Assembly Passing of A3680Cryan, an S1701 amendment bill
     6-29-05 EMAILNET re State Budget FY06
     EMAILNET 6-24-05 GSCS Positions: State Budget FY06 Issues Need Resolving
     EMAILNET 6-10-05 SchoolConstruction Heads Up
     Read Parent Call to Action Letter
     6-17-05 EMAILNET [2] School Construction continued
     6-17-05 EMAILNET FY06 Budget & Advocay Update, Quick Facts
     EMAILNET 6-10-05 School Construction Funding Heads Up!
     EMAILNET 6-8-05 Annual Meeting Advocacy - FY06 info - Quick Facts - more
     Star Ledger June 3 2005
     Associated Press on Annual Meeting, 6-4-05: In the Homestretch Candidates Talk Education Issues
     GSCS 14th Annual Breakfast Meeting 6-3-05 AGENDA
     EMAILNET 5-27-05FY06 Legislator Budget Question; A451 State Health Benefits Plan Waiver for Dual Spouse Coverage GSCS Supports ....
     5-18-2005
     5-6-05 EMAILNET Rumson S1701 Meeting; Legislative News...More
     4-21-05 Annual Breakfast Meeting June 3 Sign Up
     Emailnet 4-14-05
     4-14-05 EMAILNET
     4-8-2005
     3-29-2005
     3-24-2005
     3-11-2005
     3-1-2005
     2-21-2005
     2-7-2005
     1-27-2005
     1-26-2005
     1-24-2005
     1-14-2005
     1-9-2005
     1-5-2005
     11-30-2004
     11-19-2004
     11-12-2004
     10-29-2004
     10-26-2004
     10-15-2004
     10-14-2004
     10-5-2004
     9-30-04
     9-7-04
     8-30-04
     8-06-04
     7-08-04
     6-29-2004
     2003-2004 School Year Archive
     2002-2003 School Year Archive
Read Parent Call to Action Letter
A Parent Call to Action for Amending S-1701.As many of you know, New Jersey public schools are facing a crisis that will negatively impact the education our children receive.

GSCS is pleased to inform you, as active members of our association, that advocacy for public education is growing stronger every day throughout the GSCS network of member districts. As you know, grassroots advocacy is more needed than ever now - legislators and the executive branch in Trenton need to hear early and often from people directly on how they feel about Trenton policies and how those policies affect people's support for their elected officials.

 

We are fortunate to have many parents now who are ready and willing to step up to this task, and in an ever-growing number.  We have developed and identified a number of parent clusters throughout GSCS. These regional clusters are motivated to press on to amend S1701.

 

 Attached please find an outreach letter to parents 'A Call to Action for Amending S1701'. GSCS asks that you disseminate this as widely as possible to the parents in your districts.

 

The underlying motivation for parents –all o us - is to see that quality education is not diminished by Trenton policies, whether misguided on the one hand such as S1701, or whether turning a deaf ear on the other hand.

 

We ask central offices to take an active role to keep the momentum alive and see that the attached letter [also printed below for your reading convenience] , its contents and requests are heard, seen and fulfilled. Take a moment to carefully read the letter. You will see that parents have worked hard to provide a meaningful way to keep eyes focused on our common denominator goal of quality education for all children. And, that parents are also looking forward to continue working hand in hand with GSCS come September.

 

The plan is to keep Trenton aware that communities throughout the state know that Statehouse actions have a direct impact on the well-being of their children's public education. Parents, by informing themselves and taking an active role in public education, are understanding that accountability for good public education must be balanced by the public’s trust. To grow the network a parent sign up is now provided at the website ‘www.gscschools.org’.   A visit to the website worthwhile to keep current with what GSCS activities on behalf of it members.

 

FYI – Among other efforts, GSCS has been talking of having a Rally in Trenton in the fall as well as a more academic conference on 'Public Support for Public Education". We look forward to - and need - your help in adding your strength to the revitalized grassroots efforts we encourage daily. Our advocacy continues to be seen and heard in Trenton daily as well.

 

In the end it is up to all of us – school administrators, board of education members and parents - to help promote and stabilize quality education for all our children.

A Parent Call to Action for Amending S-1701

 

As many of you know, New Jersey public schools are facing a crisis that will negatively impact the education our children receive.  S-1701 is a bill that was passed last June in the attempt to lower property taxes.  The result of this shortsighted attempt is that our schools are being harmed with barely any relief from our property taxes.  Any part of our school budgets that are not specifically state mandated are in jeopardy as we go into each new year with a growing perfect storm of budget factors: increasing cost drivers beyond local school district control, such as health insurance, combined with the imposed S-1701 inflexible “caps” on school budgets that do not allow for any appeal process.  For example, after-school sports, school librarians, art, music, pre-school programs, clubs, full day kindergarten are all at risk because of the restrictive and inflexible 1701.  Class sizes will also increase because there will not be funds to add faculty.

 

Parents are becoming more informed as to the impact this bill will have on our children’s education, and we are becoming increasingly irate.  We have asked for direction as to what to do in order to let Trenton know this must be amended.  There is currently a movement being organized by the Garden State Parent Network to Amend 1701 to “water torture” some key legislators by calling, emailing and writing them insisting that they amend this absurd bill.  This summer we ask that you please participate in this movement and put the attached information by your phone.  Whenever you think of the misguided, political goings-on in Trenton, and the apparent lack of concern for quality public education in New Jersey please call one of them, fax them, email them or write them a letter.  Tell them you are extremely unhappy and if they are not making changes to this bill, you will vote for someone who will protect your children’s education.

 

Also, there will be an Assembly election in November.  Call your existing Assemblyman and inquire as to their opinion of S-1701.  If they have no comment or do not express a desire to amend it, find out who is running against them and call their office.  This issue requires that we all participate. 

 

You will be receiving more information in September regarding a Rally in Trenton.  This Rally will be organized for the later Fall.  Please discuss this important issue with your friends, Google under S-1701, read the papers and become as informed as possible. 

 

Our children deserve the best public school education possible.  It is our responsibility as parents to make sure Trenton does not interfere with their rights! To become a member of GSPN, please go to ‘www.gscschools.org’.  Membership is free and you will receive emails with information and updates regarding education in New Jersey.  You can also communicate directly at, GSPN-1701, via the website.We would love to hear your feedback!

 

Have a great summer and let’s get the word out!

 

Thank you,

 

Kimberly Newsome

Regional Parent Representative

Garden State Parent Network to Amend 1701

 

gspn call to action p. 2                            How to Start (what to do):

In order of effectiveness:

 

·                    calls

·                    letters

·                    faxes

·                    emails

 

What to say:

 

When you get through to the office, ask to speak with the legislator.  They might not be available, in which case you may speak with an aide.  Don’t worry, the information you leave with the aide will be forwarded to the legislator. 

 

The following will help you start the conversation:

 

“We need you to change the bad policies in S-1701 that will harm the quality of our children’s public education.”

 

“What are you doing or planning to do to fix this problem?”

 

Please take notes and feel free to say that if the legislator’s office is not working on amending 1701, than you will have to vote for someone who will. Please feedback to us at website ‘www.gscschools.org’.

 

Names and Information for Targeted Legislators:

The Honorable Richard Codey, Acting Governor, State of New Jersey

PO Box 001

Trenton, NJ08625

609 777 2500; fax 609 292 3454

(The Acting Governor is also the Senate President: sencodey@njleg.org

District Office:  449 Mount Pleasant AvenueWest OrangeNJ 07052  (973)-731-6770)

 

U.S. Senator Jon S. Corzine                                    Republican Candidate Doug Forrester

Campaign Address                                                                              Forrester for Governor

One Riverfront Plaza                                                                          29 Emmons Drive C-10

PO Box 200419                                                                                  Princeton, NJ 08540

Newark, NJ   07102                                                                            (609) 452-0101

(973) 643-0500 fax (973) 643-6468                                                   Fax: (609) 452-0008

(732)729-9820  info@votecorzine.org                                             info@doug2005.com

 


 

Senator Wayne R. Bryant, Democrat

SPONSOR S1701

501 Cooper St, CamdenNJ 08102 

(856)-757-0552  

E-Mail: senbryant@njleg.org

 

Assemblyman Joseph Cryan, Democrat

SPONSOR A99 (S1701 companion bill)

985 Stuyvesant Ave.

Union, NJ 07083

 (908) 624-0880  E-Mail: asmcryan@njleg.org

 

gspn call to action p.3

Additional Key Legislators

 

Senator Bernard F. Kenny, Democrat
District Office:  235 Hudson Street, Suite 1HobokenNJ 07030  

(201)-653-1466

E - Mail: senkenny@njleg.org

 

Assemblyman Joseph J. Roberts, Democrat
District Office:  Brooklawn Shopping Plaza,

Rt. 130 South & Browning Rd.BrooklawnNJ 08030  (856)-742-7600

E - Mail: asmroberts@njleg.org

 

Senator Leonard Lance, Republican
District Office:  119 Main StreetFlemingtonNJ 08822 

 (908)-788-6900 E-Mail: senlance@njleg.org

 

 

Assemblyman Alex DeCroce, Republican
District Office:  101 Gibraltar Dr., Suite 1-A,  Morris Plains, NJ 07950   (973)-984-0922

E-Mail: asmdecroce@njleg.org  

 

Assemblywoman Bonnie Watson Coleman, Democrat

District Office: 226 West State Street, Trenton. N.J. 08608 609 292 0500

E -mail:  aswwatsoncoleman@njleg.org

 

Assemblyman Louis D. Greenwald, Democrat

 District Office:  10 Foster Ave., Suite B-3, GibbsboroNJ 08026  

(856)-783-0444

E - Mail: asmgreenwald@njleg.org


 

 

See http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/  for additional legislator contact information and more…

____________________________________________________________________________

 

Please remember…  in addition to contacting the legislators above, it is very important that you contact your local legislators as well.  Please find out your district number (http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/ ) and get the names of your Assemblymen and your State Senators.  The Assemblymen are running for office this year in November, so they will be very receptive if you tell them that you will not vote for them if they do not try and amend S-1701.  Ask if they are designing an amendment to make this bill less harmful.  If they are not part of the solution, they are part of the problem!!