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Merging schools / Law makes it hard Press of Atlantic City
A proposal to close Sea Isle City's elementary school and send its 80 or so K-8 students to Ocean City seemed like a win-win plan...But the plan recently fell apart....The issue of school consolidation has been a hot topic in New Jersey and is being promoted heavily by both the state Legislature and the governor. But often it is the state's own laws that make it difficult to accomplish....a blanket policy that mandates hiring all teachers [by the receiving, new regionalize district], even if they are not needed, is a poor use of taxpayer funds..."
Press of Atlantic City - Preschools get to work on business of going full-time
"...The poorest districts will be required to offer preschool to all 3- and 4-year-olds. The rest will have to provide it for all children eligible for the free and reduced meal program.... The 2008-09 school year is a planning year for the expansion to full-day programs...The 2008-09 school year is a planning year for [those programs where the high % of free and reduced lunch students requires] expansion to full-day programs"
Star Ledger - Corzine signs a 'painful' budget He also acts to restrain spending in years ahead
Gannett News Bureau/published in Asbury Park Press 7-1-08
Corzine calls budget new beginning; GOP disagrees
Merging schools / Law makes it hard
Press of Atlantic City - Published: Monday, June 30, 2008
A proposal to close Sea Isle City's elementary school and send its 80 or so K-8 students to Ocean City seemed like a win-win plan.
The students already go to Ocean City for high school.
Ocean City's primary and intermediate schools also have been losing enrollment. But the city's intermediate school was just named a "School to Watch" by the state Department of Education for both its curricular and extra-curricular activities. And the tuition that Sea Isle would pay per student to Ocean City, even with transportation, would be far less than the $35,000 per year currently spent educating a child in Sea Isle City.
But the plan recently fell apart, according to school officials, because Ocean City was unwilling to also accept Sea Isle City's tenured teachers. And under state law, Ocean City would have to hire them, whether it needs them or not.
The issue of school consolidation has been a hot topic in New Jersey and is being promoted heavily by both the state Legislature and the governor. But often it is the state's own laws that make it difficult to accomplish. This is a prime example.
One of the primary reasons to consolidate schools is to save money. The largest cost in a school is salaries. But state law specifically says that all tenured teaching staff must be hired by the receiving district - whether it needs them or not. This is a job-protection law, not an education law.
There is no law that requires principals, secretaries or janitors be guaranteed jobs in the receiving district. Just teachers.
Granted, Ocean City could take on the Sea Isle City teachers and let go an equivalent number of its own teachers with less seniority. But why should it have to?
If the state Legislature is serious about school consolidation, it must begin addressing the very laws it passed that make merging schools so hard. Certainly receiving districts should be encouraged to hire all needed staff from the school that is closing. But a blanket policy that mandates hiring all teachers, even if they are not needed, is a poor use of taxpayer funds.
Changing this law would be a good first step toward breaking down the roadblocks to consolidation.
One of the primary reasons to consolidate schools is to save money. The largest cost in a school is salaries. But state law specifically says that all tenured teaching staff must be hired by the receiving district - whether it needs them or not. This is a job-protection law, not an education law.
There is no law that requires principals, secretaries or janitors be guaranteed jobs in the receiving district. Just teachers.
Granted, Ocean City could take on the Sea Isle City teachers and let go an equivalent number of its own teachers with less seniority. But why should it have to?
If the state Legislature is serious about school consolidation, it must begin addressing the very laws it passed that make merging schools so hard. Certainly receiving districts should be encouraged to hire all needed staff from the school that is closing. But a blanket policy that mandates hiring all teachers, even if they are not needed, is a poor use of taxpayer funds.
Changing this law would be a good first step toward breaking down the roadblocks to consolidation.
Granted, Ocean City could take on the Sea Isle City teachers and let go an equivalent number of its own teachers with less seniority. But why should it have to?
If the state Legislature is serious about school consolidation, it must begin addressing the very laws it passed that make merging schools so hard. Certainly receiving districts should be encouraged to hire all needed staff from the school that is closing. But a blanket policy that mandates hiring all teachers, even if they are not needed, is a poor use of taxpayer funds.
Changing this law would be a good first step toward breaking down the roadblocks to consolidation.
Preschools get to work on business of going full-time
Press of Atlantic City - Published: Monday, June 23, 2008
LINWOOD - Public preschool is expanding in New Jersey, and it's not just going to affect school districts.
Cynthia Rice, of the Association for Children of New Jersey, met with private preschool providers and some school officials last week at the Atlantic County Women's Center to talk about the potential effects the new state funding formula will have on their schools. It could be a great opportunity for private pre-
schools to partner with public schools, but only if they are proactive and prepared.
Full-day preschool for 3- and 4-year-olds began with the 31 urban Abbott districts. But almost 49 percent of all poor children in the state don't live in an Abbott district. Under Gov. Jon S. Corzine's plan to reach those children, preschool will be expanded over the next five years to all poor children no matter where they live. The poorest districts will be required to offer preschool to all 3- and 4-year-olds. The rest will have to provide it for all children eligible for the free and reduced meal program.
Many districts already have a half-day program for 4-year-olds. The 2008-09 school year is a planning year for the expansion to full-day programs, and Rice said private preschools have to get involved now.
"There will be a lot more paperwork," Rice said. "But it is still a great opportunity."
The new law would add districts including Atlantic City, Buena Regional, Hammonton, Ventnor, the Wildwoods, Lower and Middle town-
ships, Little Egg Harbor Township and eight townships in Cumberland County to the list of districts offering full-day preschool.
The biggest question is where they will put the children. Expanding a half-day program to full-day requires both space and teachers certified in early childhood education. Some teaching staff at private schools might have to go back to college.
Rice said there are still unanswered questions about space requirements and giving private preschool teachers time and some funding to get certified. Those attending the workshop said getting the course work has been difficult in Atlantic County because of a lack of college programs. Contacted after the meeting, Harvey Kesselman, Dean of Education at The Richard Stockton College of New Jersey, said the school is developing an early childhood certification program for preschool through third grade.
Rice said the school districts are under no obligation to partner with private preschools, but it may be the best option for districts with no extra space or just a few eligible students.
"Not all superintendents are comfortable with collaboration," Rice said. "Private providers will need to advocate for themselves. You may have to convince the district to do it."
Teacher Susan Bishop and director Donna Michael, of the Absecon Nursery School, said they get children from Absecon and Galloway Township and have already met with school officials about the public program. The big issues for them are the curriculum and the potentially time-consuming paperwork.
"We're still just getting all the information," Bishop said.
To e-mail Diane D'Amico at The Press:
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Corzine signs a 'painful' budget He also acts to restrain spending in years ahead Tuesday, July 01, 2008 BY JOE DONOHUE AND DUNSTAN McNICHOL Star-Ledger Staff Acknowledging that "change is hard," Gov. Jon Corzine yesterday signed a $32.9 billion state budget that features dramatic cuts -- and then issued an executive order to curb future spending. The governor said he takes no delight in enacting a budget that reduces spending $600 million below the budget adopted last year, a level he termed "historic." "Make no mistake, the spending cuts are painful and bring no pleasure or applause. ... The cuts do, however, make clear that fiscal and tax stability for New Jersey citizens is possible," he said. "Change is hard. It's unpopular. Getting healthy will take time, even years." Corzine also signed an executive order requiring future budgets to match spending to recurring revenues. In February, Corzine called for lawmakers to enact legislation setting that requirement, saying it would make sure the state only spends within its means, but no such law was passed. "I would have preferred a statute but it's not a big difference," Corzine said. "While I'm governor, the executive order will be in place and the budget we propose will reflect that." Corzine pointed out that the executive order will bind future governors unless they decide to rescind it. The order does provide some wiggle room in the event of a public health emergency or to meet "constitutional obligations." With the gold dome of the Statehouse serving as a backdrop, yesterday's budget signing took place in the summer heat on the lawn behind the building's annex. It came one week after the spending plan gained final passage in the state Legislature. The state's fiscal year begins today. Unlike in most past budgets, Corzine did not use his line-item-veto power to trim further, though he did delete some budget language for "technical" reasons. The budget enacted yesterday is nearly $100 million smaller than the one he proposed in February. The new budget cuts some homeowner rebates, along with aid to hospitals, towns and nursing homes. It also features an early retirement plan aimed at trimming the state payroll. Democratic legislative leaders who joined Corzine stressed the spending cuts and the absence of new taxes. "People cannot afford the spending anymore," said Senate President Richard Codey (D-Essex). "They are cutting and you have to cut as well." The cuts were denounced by Eva Bonime, spokeswoman for a coalition of groups that recommended targeted tax increases instead. "The failure to make needed investments in vital services like higher education, roads and health care will reduce the quality of life for all New Jersey residents," she said. Republicans said the budget will drive up local property tax burdens by cutting rebates and municipal aid. "This spending plan will result in higher property taxes, delay serious debt reduction and practically guarantee that every driver in this state soon will be paying higher gas taxes, fees or tolls," said Sen. Kevin O'Toole (R-Essex). One Republican who strongly endorsed the budget was former Rep. Robert Franks (R-12th), Corzine's opponent in the 2000 U.S. Senate race. During the ceremony, he was given a front row seat beside Treasurer David Rousseau. Franks, who helped pitch Corzine's aborted plan to raise tolls to reduce state debt and fund road projects, said the governor promised him he would enact unprecedented cuts and delivered. "You show me another state that's done this," Franks said. Corzine also signed bills to delay the phase-out of a utility tax that costs ratepayers $62 million in the coming year, abolish the Commerce Commission and Department of Personnel and divert $9 million from shore protection funding to keep state parks open. In addition, he signed a bill creating a $44 million fund to help provide medical services after a hospital has closed or is on the brink of insolvency. Hospitals would compete for a share of the money based on criteria developed by the state. | |
Gannett News Bureau/published in Asbury Park Press 7-1-08
Corzine calls budget new beginning; GOP disagrees
TRENTON — Gov. Jon S. Corzine signed the $32.9 billion state budget Monday, as well as other laws supporting it and an order that aims to guide future budgets toward being balanced without relying on one-time revenue windfalls.
Other bills signed Monday abolish the state Department of Personnel and Commerce Commission, allow $9 million to be shifted from a beach replenishment fund to pay for state park and forest operations, delay the phase-out of a tax added to utility bills and create a $44 million fund to stabilize finances at distressed hospitals.
Under a warm sunny sky on a lawn behind the Statehouse Annex, Corzine also indicated he will sign a bill changing public employee benefits, such as hiking the retirement age and pension and health benefits thresholds for future workers.
Year-to-year spending is reduced by more than $600 million, nearly 2 percent, and Corzine estimates the spending plan is about $3 billion less than it would have been if inflation and other factors had been allowed to take their regular course.
Those factors driving spending growth — primarily, things such as education aid, employee salaries, pensions and benefits and Medicaid — mean planning for the budget for fiscal 2010, which starts in 12 months, begins $1.7 billion in the red.
Still, Corzine and fellow Democrats heralded the budget as a new beginning.
"Change is hard, and it's unpopular," Corzine said. "Getting healthy will take time, even years. There are no silver bullets, just challenging choices. Again, make no mistake, we are on the right path. We must continue on that path, next year, the year after and the year after that."
There were a few common themes among the five lawmakers flanking Corzine at the ceremony — that the budget reflects difficult economic times nationally, and that the governor ought to be credited for cutting spending and not raising state taxes.
"It's extremely easy to be popular in New Jersey. Just tell people what they want to hear. The tough thing is to actually govern," said Senate Majority Leader Stephen Sweeney, D-Gloucester. "This governor has actually, I think, finally turned the corner for the state of New Jersey. This is one of the most fiscally responsible budgets that we've ever seen, probably the most painful one, but it's an honest one."
Republican lawmakers said the budget will result in higher property taxes, either through reduced rebates or cuts in municipal aid, and could lead to higher tolls or gas taxes by not setting aside money to pay for construction needs. It also extends a tax on utilities at a cost to ratepayers of $737 million over the next five years.
"This spending plan will result in higher property taxes, delay serious debt reduction and practically guarantee that every driver in this state soon will be pay higher gas taxes, fees or tolls," said Sen. Kevin O'Toole, R-Essex.
"Ultimately this budget will do nothing more than shift state government costs to the taxpayers," said Assemblyman Joseph Malone III, R-Burlington.
Corzine worked in a dig at Republicans, none of whom voted for the budget, while thanking Democratic lawmakers.
"It wasn't easy, and they stood alone. It should be clear to all New Jerseyans that many who claim the mantle of fiscal responsibility ducked the tough choices to make certain that we spend no more than we take in," Corzine said.
Senate President Richard Codey, D-Essex, called it "clearly" the best budget adopted in his 34 years in Trenton.
"Above all, this budget, designed by the governor, sends a message. And it's sending a message to the counties, to the school boards and to the towns and cities throughout the state of New Jersey. Get out your scissors and cut. People cannot afford the spending any more. They feel it in their households. They're doing what we're doing, they're cutting. You have to cut as well," Codey said.
The chief lobbyist for cities and towns rejected the assumption such local cuts would be new and said the $162 million reduction in municipal aid, 8 percent, will lead to higher property taxes and fewer services.
"It may be in vogue for the state government, and we're certainly pleased and delighted they're taking a more austere attitude towards the budget process, but the truth be told, mayors and governing body officials have been going through this same exercise for the last decade and a half," said William Dressel Jr., the New Jersey State League of Municipalities executive director.
The executive order signed Monday by Corzine requires governors to submit budget proposals that fund recurring expenses using recurring revenues only. It doesn't say adopted budgets must match costs and cash that way. But it does recommend that revenue beyond the certified recurring revenue should be put into a new fund that will be used to repay debt, pay for construction projects and support pensions and health benefits.
Corzine said he would have preferred a state law requiring that balancing, but lawmakers objected. He said the order will remain in place as long as he's governor; future governors, though, would be able to reverse it with the stroke of a pen.
Michael Symons: msymons@gannett.com
