Quality Public Education for All New Jersey Students

 

 
     3-20-12 Education Issues in the News
     4-29-11 BOOMERANG! Near 80 per cent of School Budgets Passed in Wednesday'sSchool Elections
     4-26-11 School Elections, Randi Weingarten in NJ, Special Educ Aid, Shared Services bill
     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
     3-31-11 Charters an Issue in the Suburbs - and - So far, only 7 Separate Questions on April School Budget Ballots
     3-22-11 Special Master's Report to the Supreme Court: State did not meet its school funding obligation
     Attached to GSCS 3-7-11 Testimony: Marlboro Schools strike historic agreement with instructional aides, bus drivers, bus aides
     GSCS Take on Governor's Budget Message
     Gov's Budget Message for Fiscal Year 2010-2011 Today, 2pm
     2-16-11 Commissioner Cerf talks to educators on Tenure, Merit Pay , related reforms agenda
     GSCS FYI
     2-7-11Grassroots at Work in the Suburbs
     1-25-11 Education in the News
     1-24-11 GSCSS Testimony before Assembly Education Committee: Charter School Reform
     Public Hearing on the Impact of Education Aid Cuts, Thursday January 20
     1-20-11 GSCS Testimony before Senator Buono's Education Aid Impact hearing in Edison
     Assembly Education Hearing on Charter School Reform Monday, 1-24-11, 1 pm
     GSCS Board of Trustees endorsed ACTION LETTER to Trenton asking for caution on Charter School expansion
     GSCS testimony on Tenure Reform - Senate Education Committee 12-09-10
     12-7-10 Education Issues continue in the news
     12-5-10 New York Times 'A Bleak Budget Outlook for Public Broadcasters'
     12-5-10 Sunday News - Education-related Issues
     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
     GSCS Education Forum Stayed Focused on Quality Education
     Nov 10 Program Announcement - GSCS & NJSDC Fall Education Forum
     Mark Your Calendars: GSCS-NJ Schools Development Council: Education Forum November 10, 2010 Douglas College Center
     8-23-10 S2208 (Sarlo-Allen prime sponsors) passes 36-0 (4 members 'not voting') in the Senate on 8-23-10
     8-13-10 East Brunswick Public School seeks stay on Hatikvah Charter School opening this fall (re: Hatikvah not meeting minimum enrollment requirement)
     7-22-10 'Summer school falls victim to budget cuts in many suburban towns'
     7-18-10 Troublesome sign of the times? Read article on the growing trend for education foundations - the pressure to provide what the state no longer supports for education...California's Proposition 13 cited
     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
     GSCS - High costs of Special Education must be addressed asap, & appropriately
     7-1 and 2- 10 Governor Christie convened the Legislature to address property tax reform
     GSCS On the Scene in Trenton: State Budget poised to pass late Monday...Cap Proposals, Opportunity Scholarship Act in Limbo
     4-21-10 DOE posts election results
     Hear about Governor Christie's noontime press conference tonight
     4-21-10 News on School Election Results
     4-20-10 Today is School Budget & School Board Member Election Day
     4-18-10 It's About Values - Quality Schools...Your Homes...Your Towns: Sunday front page story and editorial
     4-19-10 GSCS Testimony before the Assembly Budget Committee on State Budget FY'11
     4-18-10 Sunday Op-eds on school budget vote: Jim O'Neill & Gov Christie
     4-13-10 Testimony submitted to Senate Budget Committee
     GSCS 'HOW-TO' GET TRENTON'S ATTENTION ON STATE BUDGET SCHOOL ISSUES FY '11' - Effective and Well-Reasoned Communication with State Leaders is Critical
     Administration's presentation on education school aid in its 'Budget in Brief' published with Governor Christie's Budget Message
     PARENTS ARE CALLING TO EXPRESS THEIR CONCERNS FOR THE SCHOOL AID PICTURE - GSCS WILL KEEP YOU UP-TO-DATE
     GSCS 'HOW-TO GET TRENTON'S ATTENTION ON STATE BUDGET SCHOOL ISSUES FY '11': Effective & Well-Reasoned Communication with State Leaders is Critical
     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 GSCS Email-Net: Summit @ Summit Report - A New Day in Trenton?
     3-3-10 'Public Education in N.J.: Acting NJ Comm of Educ Bret Schundler says 'Opportunity'
     3-4-10 'NJ education chief Bret Schundler tells suburban schools to expect more cuts in aid'
     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
     Flyer: March 2 Education Summit Keynote Speaker Confirmed
     Flyer for March 2 Education 'Summit@Summit'
     GSCS at TRI-DISTRICT MEETING IN MONMOUTH COUNTY January 27
     GSCS Report on its Annual Meeting June 2009
     6-23-09 Grassroots at Work re A4140, A4142 and A1489
     6-26-09 Executive Director to GSCS Trustees; Wrap Up Report - State Budget and Assembly bills this week
     5-27-09 GSCS 18th ANNUAL MEETING - All INVITED GUESTS HAVE CONFIRMED, INCLUDING GOVERNOR CORZINE
     4-17-09 Model letter to community re required language on budget election ballot
     FIND OUT & STAY TUNED - www.gscschools.org has nearly 1,000,000 verified hits and approximately 90,000 individual visits to date ... and counting
     3-27-09 GSCS Travels the State
     March 25 GSCS-HADDONFIELD OPEN MEETING 7pm
     Haddonfield On Line posts Commissioner Davy's appearance with GSCS at Wednesday March 25 meeting hosted by Haddonfield School District Board of Education
     GSCS-Leonia 3-18-09 meeting Press Release
     March 25-GSCS-HADDONFIELD GENERAL MEMBERSHIP-OPEN MEETING 7pm
     RESCHEDULED to MARCH 18 - GSCS MEETING IN LEONIA
     CONCERNED ABOUT YOUR SCHOOLS? YOU ARE INVITED-GSCS General Membership Open Meeting Leonia Feb 25 7 pm
     SAVE THE DATE - GSCS GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING IN BERGEN COUNTY
     More good examples - Grassroots advocacy: letters- to-the-editor published
     11-6-07 GSCS Parent Advocates help clarify election issues...the Millburn Example
     10-23 Media reports & Trenton responses to date re GSCS Press Conf
     GSCS 'NOV 6th LEGISLATIVE ELECTIONS 'ADVOCACY PACKET
     7-10-07 EMAILNET GSCS ADVOCACY PACKET Need for new school funding formula, more
     2-20-07 FAIR HAVEN SCHOOL FUNDING & PROPERTY TAX FORUM
     3-15-07 Millburn-Short Hills Advocates for Education ask for you help in contacting Governor
     Grassroots Forum set for 3-8 in Millburn-Short Hills
     GRASSROOTS SPEAK UP re State Aid for FY07-08 & Recent Legislation that can negatively impact school communities
     11-2-06 GSCS Parent Press Conference Coverage
     11-1-06 Press Conference packet
     10-31-06 PRESS ADVISORY
     DIRECTIONS to Statehouse
     SPECIAL SESSION ADVOCACY TIPS
     Parent & Member Information Packet on Special Session
     October 2006 Quality Education At Risk
     7-18-06 Summit PTO-PTA communication
     7-17-06 Bernards Twp communication to citizens
     Contact info for Letters to the Editor - Statewide newspapers
     6-22-06 GSCS Parent Coordinator Letter to the Editor
     NEW to our website...WHAT'S THE 'BUZZ' ?
     4-24-06 Citizens for Hopewell Valley Schools letter to Senator Shirley Turner
     4-16 Courier Post 'Do Nothing Leaders'
     Grassroots at work - Ridgewood Board member testimony of FY07
     3-24-06 Schools learn who wins, loses in Corzine budget
     3-9-06 Governor speaks to S1701 at town meeting
     EMAILNET 3-9-06 to South Jersey districts
     COFFEE a coalition of families for excellent education
     1-29-06 Asbury Park Press Sunday Front Page Right
     Posted 1-17-06 December 2005 article from the NewsTranscript of Monmouth County
     12-16-05 EMAILNET
     1-17-06 Asbury Park Press "Viewpoint" comments by parents Kim Newsome & Marianne Kligman
     1-12-06 Asbury Park Press letter to the editor
     12-12-05 EMAILNET Bills move out of Assembly Education Committee
     Nora Radest Summit Parent, Glen Ridge Supt. Dan Fishbien, Glen Ridge Parenet and Board of Education President Betsy Ginsburg
     UPDATE on 12-8-05 Assembly Education Committee hearing
     12-2-05 Hopewell Valley letter to Senate Education Committee Chair Shirley Turner re: school budget amendment bills & S1701
     Madison parents and Morris County Outreach Efforts on S1701 Amendment legislation 11-28-05
     Parent Network FYI re EMAILNET 11-28-05 on S1701
     10-14-05 EMAILNET Parent question for Gubernatorial Candidates aired on 101.5 debate, SCC funds, Next Board meeting, press briefing notes
     Readington Forum on School Funding & Meet the Assembly Candidates 11-1-05
     Bergen County's 'Dollars & Sense' organization hosts informational meeting on
     Bergen County's 'Dollars & Sense' organization hosts informational meeting on "Bergen County United" Wed. Oct 19th Paramus High School Cafe 7:30 p.m.
     Parents in Trenton 9-21-05 Press Conference
     Annual Meeting President Walt Mahler's Good News on NJ Public Schools
     Glen Ridge community group 'New Jersey Citizens for Education Equity in Funding'
     Glen Ridge Schools and GSCS Dec 9 Meeting
     Red Bank Area December 6, 2004 Forum
     Rumson PTA, Monmouth Parents, May 2005
     Princeton Marh 2005 Education symposium
     Grassroots 'faces'
     Regional Forums: Quality Education Counts - School Funding Reality and S1701
     A99 and S1701
     GSCS Web Servey Results
GSCS Report on its Annual Meeting June 2009
In addition to GSCS business, the minutes of the 18th Annual Meeting report on the presentation by Governor Jon Corzine, as well as an in-depth panel discussion, and the speakers response to GSCS member questions from the audience. Panel members included Assembly Education Committee Chair Joe Cryan, as well as Education Committee members David Wolfe and Mila Jasey. Commissioner Lucille Davy served as a resource both the the Governor and to the panel. Read the attached minutes of the meeting to gain insight into the legislature's and administration's thinking on GSCS public education issues.

Garden State Coalition of Schools/GSCS

Eighteenth Annual Meeting

Wednesday, May 27, 2009

The Forsgate Country Club

 

 

President Jim O’Neill opened the meeting and introduced Treasurer David Abbott, who presented his report.  Dr. Abbott announced that the budget for 2009-2010 is balanced and encouraged expansion of the Coalition.  The Treasurer’s Report was moved, seconded and accepted by a voice vote of the members.

 

Vice President and Nominating Committee Chair Lynne Biehn presented the following slate of officers for 2009-2010

·         President: James O’Neill (Superintendent, Chatham)

·         President Elect: David Abbott (Superintendent, Marlboro)

·         Vice President: Elisabeth Ginsburg (Board Member, Glen Ridge)

·         Vice President: Meredith Shaw (Board Member, East Brunswick)

·         Past President: Daniel Fishbein (Superintendent, Ridgewood)

·          

A motion to approve the slate was moved and seconded, and approved by a voice vote of the members.  The members also approved the appointment of Brick and Paramus as trustee districts.

 

Executive Director Lynne Strickland emphasized that the GSCS is a “watchdog in Trenton.” She summarized the Coalition’s accomplishments, including this year’s special meetings in Moorestown and Leonia and ongoing advocacy in Trenton and beyond on issues including state aid/property taxes; school consolidation;”tweaking” the funding formula; debt service aid; high school redesign; pre-school aid and categorical aid for special education.  Ms. Strickland also encouraged members to visit the website, which has had over a million hits.

 

The Executive Director also announced the GSCS new policy that creates a new membership category: Non-Voting Associate Member.  Edison Township will be the first Associate Member. 

 

President O’Neill encouraged districts to share their individual issues with the GSCS and stressed this year’s positive developments, including the 70% passage rate for school budgets and the fact that Assembly Education Chair Joe Cryan has tackled mandate reform by requesting lists of burdensome/costly mandates.  Mr. O’Neill also mentioned issues in need of attention including negotiations reform.

 

Governor John Corzine spoke about the state’s economic challenges, citing the value of stimulus aid from Washington.  He acknowledged that aid to education helps reduce property taxes.  He praised the DOE’s school reform efforts, including high school redesign, NJ SMART and raising proficiency standards.  Governor Corzine also said that if revenues become available, early childhood education programs will be the first to be restored.

 

The Governor answered the following questions:

  • 60% vote on second questions—The Governor is not in favor of changing this restriction, as it helps control property taxes
  • Elimination of budget vote for under-cap budgets/change in school election date—The Governor favors moving school elections to November
  • Efficiency/spending caps—Existing caps are not “the tightest in the world,” but are necessary.  He is committed to funding the formula fully over time, but said that fragmentation of governance (too many local units) works against cost savings.  Commissioner Davy mentioned that the cap law is up for review in 2011.
  • Negotiations—The Governor may be in favor of returning the “last best offer” option to schools.  He will encourage PERC mediators to consider the spending cap when settling BOE/union negotiations issues.  He encouraged districts to hold out in union negotiations, citing the example of Paterson.
  • Consolidation and inequity between districts: Savings are created by “economies of scale.”  Consolidation works for the “greater good.”
  • Further Cuts—Not anticipated, but revenues are dropping and times are tough.

 

Former Star Ledger education writer John Mooney talked about changes in journalism and how education coverage suffers when the number of education journalists declines.  Papers are struggling to adapt while journalists turn to social networking and other web venues to inform the public about the issues.  Mooney mentioned www.njspotlight.com, the new site founded by him and Dunstan MacNichol.

 

A panel composed of Assemblyman Joe Cryan, Assemblyman David Wolfe, Assemblywoman Mila Jasey and DOE Commissioner Lucille Davy took questions from the audience (via Lynne Strickland), as follows:

  • Can 50% of IDEA stimulus funds be used to support existing expenditures?— Within certain limitations, yes. Commissioner Davy referred the audience to the DOE website for further information and Assm. Cryan asked for patience on matters related to the Federal money.
  • Deferred payments: Districts will receive two payments in July and those that have to borrow will receive interest amounts from the state.  Assm. Cryan predicted that there will be no deferred payment next year.
  • DFG “B” districts and pre-School: There is no chance that “B” districts will receive pre-school expansion aid for 2009-2010.  Commissioner Davy reminded districts that they can use Title I money for summer programs.
  • Negotiations and the 4% cap: Asw Jasey mentioned the need to look at mediation outcomes and the possibility of considering regional maximum/minimum salaries.  She and Asm Cryan pledged to try and help by sitting down with stakeholders.  Demonizing groups like the NJEA does not help.  Asm. Wolfe advocated for arbitration in finance and Special Education disputes.
  • Asked about the anomaly of certain districts, such as Loch Arbor, having to pay extraordinarily high per pupil costs (via the SFRA ability-to-pay formula) as a sending district, Assemblyman Cryan said he was concerned about it, had just heard about it, and termed the issue an “unintended consequence” which the legislature would investigate .
  • Small districts/towns that suffer under the new formula—The formula may need “tweaking”, going forward.  Upcoming regional consolidations studies will help spotlight the inequities.  Asw Jasey spoke about the need to replicate good educational programs statewide.
  • Extraordinary aid—Applications are up.  The aid is still in the budget, but there are insufficient funds to cover the number of applications.
  • DOE regulations hearings—Six hearings will be held in June at various locations.  See the DOE website
  • Debt service aid reduction—There is no money for this, but districts can raise the tax levy to compensate or take money from capital reserve or other budget lines (pending enabling legislation)
  • Increase in 2% surplus—Asm. Cryan said that overall the 2% surplus has worked, but it will be reviewed in 2011 as part of the review of the cap law.  Cryan also asked for date on any district that has seen its bond ratings downgraded as the result of the surplus restriction.
  • Mandated consolidation—Consolidation cannot be forced.
  • NJEA position on consolidation and teacher salaries—NJEA is in favor of teacher salaries going to the level of salaries in the highest paying of the districts being consolidated
  • Mandatory Full-Day Kindergarten: Poor districts already have full-day K, while wealthier districts make other choices.  The new formula gives more state aid for full-day programs and priority will be given to construction projects that accommodate full day programs.  These considerations are not wealth-based.
  • Magnet schools and special education—the questioner asserted that magnet schools, like the Vo-tech “academies,” avoid special education costs by only accepting high performing students.  Panelists were not aware of this issue but encouraged further input and discussion.

 *Note: GSCS advocated for increased funding for special education extraordinary aid and also for the Appropriations Act NOT to include an administration-recommended cut of $35M to debt service aid. Both of these GSCS initiatives were responded to: Extraordinary aid was increased by $10M and Debt Service aid was not reduced in the Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2009-2010.

 

The meeting was adjourned with thanks to the panelists and attendees.