GSCS quick facts:

1-29-08 N Y Times on House passing it version of the Federal Stimulus Proposal
It is very important to bear in mind that the Senate proposal- that has not yet been voted on - differs from the House proposal that passed in Washington on the 28th. The allocations & distribution methods of funds for schools may wind up differently than that in the House proposal. We continue to report to you on this 'work in progress' so that you are informed. In the end, there will have to be a compromise solution that emerges from this federal legislative process. GSCS will keep you up to date and informed. Again, the attached articles refer to the House proposal; the Senate proposal is thought to be up for a vote next week. President Obama is pressing the Congress for quick passage - perhaps mid-February - so that the stimulus can begin to help move the economy as soon as possible. NOTE: if your district is planning on school construction in the near future it is advisable to cross your "T's" and dot your "i's" now so that your district may be ready and in line for any funding that could come its way from the stimulus package.  More...

1-28-09 A3692 High School Redesign REVIEW Act introduced
A3692 Jasey/Voss 'NJ Secondary Education Redesign Review Act' - "This bill would require the Department of Education…Requires DOE to submit evaluation report to Legislature prior to fully implementing secondary." (Office of Legislative Services website)

1-28-09 'Stimulus could give NJ schools $895M
Press of Atlantic City - 'Proposal includes funding for construction, more aid for disabled children' New Jersey public school districts could get almost $895 million in additional aid over the next two years under the Democrats' proposed federal stimulus plan....Lynne Strickland, director of the Garden State Coalition of Schools, said the IDEA funds for disabled students would be very helpful to all districts, but..."There are still a lot of great unknowns," she said. "But we are just looking for fairness in the distribution of the funds." More...

SEE IMPACT ON YOUR DISTRICT-PROPOSED FEDERAL STIMULUS PACKAGE
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 recovery package 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" where GSCS and Gov Corzine both press for special education funding). Indications are that Congress will try to meet the mid-February deadline. FYI –See listing immediately below to find the New Jersey part of the school district listing to see how this PROPOSED plan could impact your schools. 1-24-09 EMAILNET Federal Stimulus proposal - local district impact listing. Find and highlight NJ part of the listing; use print icon at top left of the PDF to print out More...

1-27-09 News from Trenton actions on Monday January 26
'Assembly committee votes to allow deferrals of $500M in pension payments' - The Star-Ledger "Legislation allowing local governments and school districts to defer half a billion dollars in pension payments -- a key and controversial piece of Gov. Jon Corzine's budget agenda -- cleared a hurdle today, passing the Assembly Budget Committee..."  'N.J. bill requires basic financial planning classes for high schoolers' – Assoc. Press  "...The three-year pilot program will be restricted to six school districts. The measure passed in the Assembly in September."
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