GARDEN STATE COALITION OF SCHOOLS –     TRENTON TALKING POINTS   -        JANUARY 1, 2008

PROPOSED SCHOOL FUNDING LEGISLATION: A RISKY VOTE

MAJOR AREAS OF CONCERN:

• THERE IS NO CONSENSUS ON THE PROPOSAL

                IN FACT, BESIDES THE NJEA, E3 ALMOST EVERY MAJOR EDUCATION ORGANIZATION IN THE STATE HAS MAJOR CONCERNS ON THE PROPOSAL

• THERE IS NO BROAD FOUNDATION OF PUBLIC & LEGISLATIVE ‘’UNDERSTANDING’ OF THE BILL’S IMPACT

                THERE IS NOT ENOUGH FINALIZED INFORMATION AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC    

                THERE HAS NOT BEEN ANY TIME SET ASIDE FOR PROPER ANALYSIS

                THERE IS NO SENSE OF AGREEMENT ON SEVERAL MAJOR POLICY AREAS:

1.       CATEGORICAL AID FOR SPECIAL EDUCATION

2.       LOCAL FAIR SHARE

3.       ADEQUACY BUDGET STRUCTURE AND CONSEQUENCES

• THE ADEQUACY BUDGET IS A KEY TO A NUMBER OF CONSEQUENCES, YET THERE IS WIDESPREAD DISAGREEMENT ON THE ADEQUACY BUDGET DESIGN AND ITS BOUNDARIES ARE FINITE & IMMEDIATE.
• THE ADEQUACY BUDGET HAS IMMEDIATE CONSEQUENCES WHERE DISTRICTS SPEND $1 OVER;
• THE FASTRACK PROCESS HAS UNDERMINED PUBLIC DEBATE AND SETS UP A ‘QEA’-LIKE RESULT
• FEDERAL FUNDING IS NOT VISIBLE THROUGHOUT THE BILL OR AID OR SPENDING INFORMATION–

WHAT IS THE FEDERAL FUNDING (TITLE 1 AND IDEA) DISRIBUTION AND PER PUPIL SPENDING

PER DISTRICT? THIS BREAKDOWN IS NEEDED IN ORDER TO GET A FULL SENSE OF DISTRICT’S

EDUCATION SPENDING.