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The bills: S19 “Implements CORE proposals, including "Uniform Shared Services and Consolidation Act"; user-friendly budgets; revision of county superintendent of schools title and duties.” http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/2006/Bills/S0500/19_I1.PDF
S20 “Establishes homestead credits to reduce property taxes; imposes 4% cap on local tax levies; permits Local Finance Board to define capital and non-bondable current expenses; makes an appropriation.” http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/2006/Bills/S0500/20_I1.PDF
S20 GSCS CONCERNS: Overall Concern - School Aid Formula/State Aid is missing from the other side of the equation. Without state aid formula in place, tax caps do not make sense. The ability to deliver quality education is threatened.
Inconsistency in application and implementation stand out re schools being differently treated than municipalities and counties
60% supermajority of local vote on separate question (termed "voter override" in the bill)is unique and extreme, never done before in this state. Changing the local vote majority rule application opens a pandora's box; if such a change were to be made, the local public should decide and probably only by consitutional amendment.
Lack of appeal process v. ability to provide T&E education
S19 "Super" County Superintendnet, Article 3 GSCS OPPOSES/MAJOR ISSUES:
Show us the money – no cost savings estimated; no expense to local taxpayer/state revenue noted. Responsibilities of the office greatly expanded and will require additional administrative staffing, and potential for new facilities as well. County fiscal responsibilities are limited to clerical personnel, inside facilities capital costs - such as furniture, desks - only. In the end, additional costs will be incurred that local taxpayers will have to fund.
Duplication of process with Department of Education likely, contrary to efficiency of operations re state and county operations.
Safeguards are minimal. Appeal is limited only to 'budgetary action' while the expanded duties of the executive county superintendent encompass regionalization recommendations and oversight management of local district process; service sharing, including major special education oversight and offerings, transportation, data management, more.
Local control minimized via budget oversight/line item veto power of the executive county superintendent; local district regionalization plan developed - as reuqired by the executive county superintiendent - local vote is mandated; evaluation performance assessment criteria.
CLICK ON 'More" here for ADVOCACY INFO
Please let Trenton know how you feel about these fast track bills: Communications Messages:
· Please oppose the appointment of a “Executive County Superintendent of Schools” (Bill S19), who would have broad powers to override local school decisions ·
Please amend new bill on property taxes (Bill S20)
Voters should be free to choose the level of taxes they are willing to pay to support quality education – but with a 50% pass-mark, not 60% § Fort-five per cent of New Jersey school communities have been left by state policy to pay the entire support of T & E (Thorough and Efficient)education with their own property taxes; therefore school funding should be a local decision without State interference
o Please oppose the line-item school budget power proposed for the Commissioner of Education
CONTACT:
Gov. Jon Corzine http://www.state.nj.us/governor/govmail.html (609)-292-6000
Senate President Richard J. Codey SenCodey@njleg.org (973)-731-6770
Assembly Speaker Joseph J. Roberts, Jr AsmRoberts@njleg.org (856) 742-7600
(It is good practice to copy your communications to your local legislators)
CRITICAL TO THE VOTES: Senator Ellen Karcher senkarcher@njleg.org (732)-462-8883
Senator Barbara Buono senbuono@njleg.org (732)-819-8141
Senator Nia Gill sengill@njleg.org 973)-509-0388
Senator Loretta Weinberg senweinberg@njleg.org Senator Paul Sarlo sensarlo@njle.org
Senator Leonard Lance senlance@njleg.org
Senator Tom Kean senkean@njleg.org
Assemblyman Joseph Pennacchio asmpennacchio@njleg.org (973)-984-0922
Assemblyman Alex DeCroce asmdecroce@njleg.org (973)-984-0922
