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GARDEN STATE COALITION OF SCHOOLS/GSCS
EMAILNET 10-24-03
GOVERNOR MC GREEVEY SIGNS EXECUTIVE ORDER TO ESTABLISH
EDUCATION MANDATE REVIEW COMMISSION
GSCS' Lynne Strickland has seat on the Commission
"WHEREAS, several educational advocacy organizations, most notably led by the Garden State Coalition of Schools, have sought legislation to establish a commission that would study the effect of State mandates on school districts and where cost savings might be realized through flexibility or elimination of unnecessary or non-productive mandates;"
One half hour before the GSCS Atlantic City Open House Members meeting on Wednesday, the Governor's office called to let us know that the Governor had just signed the Executive Order [EO]that establishes the Governor's "Education Mandate Relief Commission". This has been a goal of GSCS' and our members - parents, board of education members and school administrators - are very appreciative that the Governor understands the clear need for mandate relief and signed the Order that puts into immediate effect the intent of legislation introduced by Senator John Adler this past Spring. The bill passed in the Senate, but had not yet moved in the Assembly where Assemblywoman Bonnie Watson Coleman had sponsored its companion bill.
The Commission will convene within two weeks and has a report date of January 31, 2004. GSCS asks its members be prepared to submit a list of “do-ables” to Lynne Strickland as soon as possible. You will be receiving more detailed information on how to submit your TOP TEN MANDATES FOR ‘REVIEW AND RELIEF’ VERY SOON.
This is an opportunity GSCS must be ready to seize.
NEWS RELEASE
Governor James E. McGreevey October 22, 2003
FOR MORE INFORMATION: Micah Rasmussen - 609-777-2600
MCGREEVEY CREATES EDUCATION COMMISSION TO HELP DISTRICTS FOCUS DOLLARS ON IMPROVING EDUCATION, NOT ON UNNECESSARY PAPERWORK
Commission Will Seek Efficiencies in State Mandates While Ensuring Quality Education
(TRENTON)-In an effort to ensure New Jersey families' hard-earned dollars are being used to provide their children with a quality education, GovernorJames E. McGreevey today signed an Executive Order creating the Education Mandate Review Study Commission. The Commission will be tasked with evaluating and identifying State mandates that are wasteful and inefficient, and recommending changes or eliminations of the bureaucracy, so more dollars are going towards improving education.
"We know what works to improve education - targeting early literacy, improving teacher quality and building safe, modern, uncrowded classrooms,"said Governor McGreevey. "We cannot have valuable education dollars going>towards needless bureaucratic paperwork instead of effective programs that prepare our children to compete in the 21st century.
"In this difficult economy, our districts should not have to spend money complying with State mandates that don't improve education. With the creation of this Commission, we will not only ensure that all of our education dollars are going towards programs that work, we will keep our educators spending time on our children not on paperwork, and ultimately we will also be helping to provide meaningful property tax relief."
Legislation to create this Commission, S-2421, sponsored by Senator John Adler, passed the New Jersey State Senate unanimously (38-0) on June 23, 2003, but did not come before the Assembly prior to adjournment in early July 2003. However, both Governor McGreevey and Senator Adler agreed it was important to move forward with the creation of the Commission so study can be completed by January 2004, and changes can be implemented as soon as possible. The Commission will hold its first meeting over the next two weeks.
"The Governor should be commended for moving the process forward to benefitproperty taxpayers and to ensure quality education," said Senator Adler. "Government efficiencies can save millions of dollars for property taxpayers without jeopardizing the learning environment for our children."
The Commission shall consist of the Commissioner of Education, or his designee, and twelve public members appointed by the Governor. The Governor shall appoint the chair of the Commission.The list of Commission members is as follows (Resumes are available on request):
CHAIR - Mildred Garcia (Fort Lee Borough, Bergen)
VICE-CHAIR - Senator John Adler (Cherry Hill, Camden)
Assemblywoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (Trenton, Mercer)
Ross Danis (Long Valley, Morris)
Silvia Abbato (Hudson County), Jane Susswein (Montclair, Essex)
Joseph Jones, III (Medford, Burlington) - Recommended by NJ Principalsand Supervisors Association
Dr. Joan Nesenkar Saylor (Jacobstown, Burlington) - Recommended by NJ Association of School Business Officials
Raymond J. Brosel, Jr. (Marlton, Burlington) - Recommended by NJ Association of School dministrators
Richard Sullivan (Burlington Township, Burlington) - Recommended by NJ School Boards of Education
Lynne Strickland (Rumson, Monmouth) - Recommended by Garden State Coalitionof Schools
Edith Fulton (Toms River, Ocean) - Recommended by NJ Education Association
EXECUTIVE ORDER
WHEREAS, the education of the State's children is critically important to the State's economy and future prosperity; and
WHEREAS, despite a record budget deficit over the past 20 months, The State has provided an increase of $277 million in education aid in the FY04 budget; and
WHEREAS, in times of fiscal crisis, it is imperative that the State invest its resources in programs that maximize educational achievement such as early literacy, high quality teaching, and modern school facilities; and
WHEREAS, the State has undertaken an $8.6 billion school construction program that provides direct property relief to communities throughout the State; and
WHEREAS, it is important for the State and school districts to scrutinize spending and determine where savings can be achieved in order to preserve educational programs and to use State and local resources as wisely and efficiently as possible; and
WHEREAS, several educational advocacy organizations, most notably led by the Garden State Coalition of Schools, have sought legislation to establish a commission that would study the effect of State mandates on school districts and where cost savings might be realized through flexibility or elimination of unnecessary or non-productive mandates; and
WHEREAS, the State should review education mandates to identify those that are unnecessary, duplicative, and/or those that impose additional cost burdens to school districts without providing real benefits so that education funds can be spent on programs that are most effective; and
WHEREAS, legislation to establish an Education Mandate Review Study Commission was passed by the New Jersey State Senate on June 23, 2003, but did not come before the Assembly prior to adjournment in early July 2003; and
WHEREAS, it is important to study and review mandates at this time so that the State and local communities can work expeditiously to implement recommendations; and
WHEREAS, the State has a compelling interest to consider how mandates can be eliminated or altered so as to provide flexibility that will allow school districts to realize cost savings and improve educational services;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, JAMES E. Mc GREEVEY, Governor of the State of New Jersey, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and by the Statutes of this State, do hereby ORDER and DIRECT:
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There is hereby established in the Department of Education the Education Mandate Review Study Commission.
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The Commission shall consist of the Commissioner of Education, or his designee, and twelve public members appointed by the Governor. The Governor shall appoint the chair of the Commission.
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The Commission shall identify and evaluate State statutory and regulatory requirements imposed upon school districts and make recommendations regarding those mandates that may be altered or eliminated to provide cost flexibility or cost savings to school districts.
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The Commission shall hold public hearings in furtherance of its purpose to allow input from stakeholders.
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The Commission is authorized to call upon any department, office, division or agency of State government to provide such information, resources or other assistance deemed necessary to discharge its responsibilities under this Order. Each department, officer, division and agency of this State is required to cooperate with the Commission and to>furnish it with such information and assistance as is necessary to accomplish the purposes of this Order.
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The Commission shall issue a report to the Governor no later than January 31, 2004.
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Public members of the Commission shall serve without compensation.
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This Order shall take effect immediately. GIVEN, under my hand and seal this day of October 22, 2003in the Year of Our Lord, Two Thousand and Three, and of the Independence of the United States, the Two Hundred and Twenty-Eighth. James E. McGreevey Governor
Attest: Michael R. DeCotiis Chief Counsel to the Governor
