GSCS QUICK FACTS: GSCS Board meeting January 28, 2009, 3:30 pm at the East Brunswick Board of Education -  Members welcome; Executive officers are to meet at 2 pm prior to the meeting. Please RSVP gscs2000@gmail with your attendance plans. Thank you.

PROPOSED FEDERAL STIMULUS PACKAGE IMPACT on local school districts
The next few weeks are critical in terms of funding for schools per President Obama's request to Congress to pass an economic recovery package by mid-February. The House Appropriations Committee has already moved on its stimulus package. The bill is likely to be modified along its way to full passage in the House and Senate. But, a major piece of the House recovery package proposal is directed toward school construction, Title 1 programs - including preschool - and increasing the federal level of IDEA funding. GSCS has been advocating for more federal IDEA for special education consistently over the years. (See below, 12/29/08 GANNETT "NJ to new leaders - Fund our Schools" below on this home page). The proposed IDEA increases appear to be meaningful. Indications are that Congress will try to meet the mid-February deadline requested by President Obama. FYI - Click on More  immediately below to find the New Jersey part of the school district listing to see how the proposed plan could impact your schools.
More...

Senate and Education Committee agendas for Monday 1-26-09
The Assembly Education Committee agenda will lead with a High School Redesign presentation by Commissioner Lucille Davy. GSCS' concerns will be represented by GSCS President Jim O'Neill in an ensuing roundtable discussion of invited stakeholders.
More...

1-23-09 Schools get an education in thrift
Star Ledger editorial: January 23, 2009 "State Education Commissioner Lucille E. Davy recently sent an urgent message to school districts and charter schools: Freeze all non-essential and discretionary district spending...

...Commissioner Davy also says she'll seek advice from the education community on state mandates that can be lifted to help reduce the financial burden on school districts.

Five years ago, the state Mandate Relief Commission issued its own cost-saving recommendations, some of which were adopted. Others may now finally have their day.

For example: Each school district is required to have a treasurer of school moneys, a part-time position costing between $2,500 and $12,000 a year. The commission called that "anachronistic." A treasurer's duties should be reassigned to the school board secretary, according to the report, which back in 2004 predicted a savings statewide of as much as $3.6 million.

The Garden State Coalition of Schools [which also led the charge that established the original Mandate Commission], which represents 110 suburban districts, would like to see an end to the mandate that makes it impossible for a district to accept donated services from parents who may be non-union contractors. At a time when parents are asked to give more, it seems silly to put obstacles in the way of their generosity..."
More...

1-20-09 'Corzine expects NJ share of federal stimulus money to be $4B'
Nj.com online 1-20-09 a.m.
More...

1-20-09 NJ urges schools to freeze spending
Star Ledger Continuous News Desk - NJ school chief calls for spending freeze for districts Associated Press - NJ to school districts: Freeze spending

Press of Atlantic City (Tuesday, January 20, 2009) TRENTON - Faced with uncertain state aid, the state education commissioner has recommended that school districts immediately freeze all nonessential spending and review all expenditures for the rest of this school year. In a letter (see 1-16-09 and 1-17-09 EMAILNET here below) sent to all chief school administrators...
More...