GSCS KEY MESSAGE POINTS

ANY NEW SCHOOL FUNDING AND GOVERNANCE LAWS SHOULD REFLECT GSCS’ OVERRIDING CONCERNS THAT:

• QUALITY EDUCATION SHOULD NOT BE LEFT OUT OF THE DEBATE - EFFICIENCY IS ONLY ONE SIDE OF THE EQUATION. To date, legislative discussion has overwhelmingly focused on cost efficiencies. Effectiveness – performance and quality education – must be an integral part of the debate.
• OUR SCHOOLS ARE NOT LEVELED DOWN. Vigilance is needed to see that the need to contain costs does not result in legislation that lowers the standard of education for all of our children.
• CITIZENS OF A DISTRICT HAVE A REASONABLE FINANCIAL STAKE IN THEIR CHILDREN’S EDUCATION. No district should fund schools less than 15% or more than 85% through property tax
• A TOWN’S ABILITY TO SUPPORT ITS LOCAL SCHOOL BUDGET IS BASED ON A FORMULA FAIR TO ALL DISTRICTS. The formula used to determine state aid should be reworked to reflect the fiscal realities within various districts. At present 45% (a national extreme) of the districts in New Jersey are considered too wealthy to receive regular state education aid (wealth-based aid).
• STUDENTS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS AND DISABILITIES RECEIVE STATE SUPPORT AID NO MATTER WHERE THEY LIVE. For example, special education and transportation must not be equalized. Many districts would receive no aid if those categorical programs were funded based on district wealth, rather than on the individual student’s needs (e.g.45% of the regular operating districts would not receive categorical aid for special education).
• A CITIZEN’S ABILITY TO SUPPORT HIS/HER LOCAL SCHOOL BUDGET IS CONSIDERED. Any legislation should be sensitive to not only the community’s ‘local fair share’ but also to individual residents’ ability to pay.
• THE RESEARCH IS FULLY DONE PRIOR DESIGNING LAW. Analyze impacts as related to New Jersey districts’ experience in specific; avoid ‘unintended consequences’.
• SCHOOL DISTRICTS MERGERS BE VOLUNTARY. Encourage replication of shared programs that exist; offer incentives for districts to move in that direction expeditiously.

What happens in Trenton will directly affect not only the well-being of your children’s education, but that of your community. Take the time to learn more, please visit the Garden State Coalition of Schools web site at www.gscshools.org .          (10/06)