Quality Public Education for All New Jersey Students

 

 
     GSCS FYI
     1-24-11 GSCSS Testimony before Assembly Education Committee: Charter School Reform
     1-24-11 GSCS Testimony on Charter School Reform before Assembly Eduction Committee today
     12-8-10 Education & Related Issues in the News - Tenure Reform, Sup't Salary Caps Reactions, Property Valuations Inflated
     8-18-10 Property Tax Cap v. Prior Negotiated Agreements a Big Problem for Schools and Communities
     7-18-10 Troublesome sign of the times? Read article on the growing trend for education foundations - the pressure to provide what the state no longer supports for education...California's Proposition 13 cited
     3-4-10 GSCS Email-Net: Summit @ Summit Report - A New Day in Trenton?
     3-3-10 'Public Education in N.J.: Acting NJ Comm of Educ Bret Schundler says 'Opportunity'
     3-4-10 'NJ education chief Bret Schundler tells suburban schools to expect more cuts in aid'
     MARK YOUR CALENDARS! GSCS GENERAL MEMBERSHIP-STATEWIDE MEETING 'THE SUMMIT AT SUMMIT', TUESDAY MARCH 2, 7:30 p.m., Details to follow
     GSCS at TRI-DISTRICT MEETING IN MONMOUTH COUNTY January 27
     GSCS to speak at Tri-District 'Open' meeting in Monmouth on January 27
     7-16-08 Schools Testing measures adopted; Test scoring upgraded - harder to pass
     CONCERNED ABOUT YOUR SCHOOLS? YOU ARE INVITED-GSCS General Membership Open Meeting Leonia Feb 25 7 pm
     8-27-08 SAT analysis reported by College Boards
     11-6-07 GSCS Parent Advocates help clarify election issues...the Millburn Example
     GSCS 'NOV 6th LEGISLATIVE ELECTIONS 'ADVOCACY PACKET
     Nov 2006 Special Aid loss to districts if aid were based on current ability-to-pay formula
     5-16-07 Education Week 'Frustration Builds in NJ Funding Debate'
     SCHOOL ELECTIONS - A PUBLIC'S CHOICE....for ITS PUBLIC VOICE
     4-3-07 Governor Corzine signs A1 and A4 today at the War Memorial
     2-20-07 GSCS member Fair Haven holds school funding forum tonight
     2-15-07 'Parents get boost on special ed rights' Star Ledger
     2-12-07 State School Aid - needed to offset property taxes now
     2-9-07 GSCS EMAILNET MEMBER FYI on Trenton legislation Action
     2-7-07 School funding, school audits - need for new formula underscored
     2-2-07 Grassroots letter to editor & communications message to Trenton re S19 'Super' County Supt and S20 Tax Caps bills
     2-1-07 GSCS Advocacy on bills A1-S20 and A4-S19
     1-31-07 GSCS FYI
     GSCS members submit their well-reasoned thoughts to local newspapers
     Grassroots in Action, recent forums re school aid, property tax squeeze on communities, consolidation issues
     1-9-07 Countywide Pilot Program and County 'Super' Superintendent bills held again yesterday, Jan 22 next probable vote date scheduled for these bills
     1-3-07 GSCS Member ALERT 'County School bills' fastracked again
     1-2-07 GSCS New Year's Resolution
     12-15-06 District 21 letter to GSCS subsequent to S7 & S10 being held
     12-15-06 EMAILNET Bills Held!
     12-13-06 GSCS critique re A4-Roberts - Executive County Supt sections
     12-10-06 Parent Letter to Trenton re CORE Plan
     12-8 & 12-9 News clips on Trenton machinations...
     12-6-07 Sample Parent Advocacy Letter to Trenton
     11-17-06 Letter to members - cites proposal pros & cons, thanks GSCS volunteers
     1-17-06 Asbury Park Press "Viewpoint" comments by parents Kim Newsome & Marianne Kligman
     9-21-05 Comments from "Parents in Trenton" Press Conference
     11-17-06 PARENT ADVOCACY INFO PACKET
     11-17-06 News Clips - Trenton Proposals
     11-16-06 Property Tax Proposal news articles
     11-15-06 The Special Session Jt Committee Reports
     11-15-06 Spec Session Proposals - What GSCS is hearing & what's being said
     11-11-06 EMAILNET Special Session Legislative Committees report Nov. 14 or 15
     11-2-06 GSCS Parent Press Conference Coverage
     11-1-06 Press Conference packet
     GSCS PARENTS' Press Conference at the Statehouse set for November 1, 11:00 a.m.
     10-31-06 PRESS ADVISORY
     DIRECTIONS to Statehouse
     SPECIAL SESSION ADVOCACY TIPS
     DIRECTIONS
     Parent & Member Information Packet on Special Session
     October 2006 Quality Education At Risk
     GSCS Key Message Points re Special Session & School Funding
     GSCS Press Conf at theStatehouse set for November 1, 11:00 a.m.
     Parents: For information on the Special Session on Property Tax Reform
     6-22-06 GSCS Parent Coordinator Letter to the Editor
     3-9-06 Governor speaks to S1701 at town meeting
     EMAILNET 3-9-06 to South Jersey districts
     COFFEE a coalition of families for excellent education
     1-29-06 Asbury Park Press Sunday Front Page Right
     Posted 1-17-06 December 2005 article from the NewsTranscript of Monmouth County
     12-16-05 EMAILNET
     1-12-06 Asbury Park Press letter to the editor
     12-12-05 EMAILNET Bills move out of Assembly Education Committee
     Summit Parent Nora Radest on Statehouse Steps Delivering letters re S1701
     12-2-05 Hopewell Valley letter to Senate Education Committee Chair Shirley Turner re: school budget amendment bills & S1701
     Madison parents and Morris County Outreach Efforts on S1701 Amendment legislation 11-28-05
     Parent Network FYI re EMAILNET 11-28-05 on S1701
     11-15-05 EMAILNET
     S1701 EMAILNET Alert 11-28-05
     Parent Letter to Senate Education Committee Chair on S1701 and request to move amendment legislation
     Parent letter to legislators on S1701 and 'stalled status of amendment bills S2329 and S2278'
     10-14-05 EMAILNET Parent question for Gubernatorial Candidates aired on 101.5 debate, SCC funds, Next Board meeting, press briefing notes
     People are asking: How does the GSCS Parent Network 'work'?
     MANY HAVE ASKED; How does the GSCS Parent Network 'work'?: Grassroots, yet coordinated, with the help of GSCS - See this 9-30-05 Candace Mueller, past GSCS Parent Network Coordinator, letter reaches out to Ewing district parents
     9-21-05 Comments from
     new file
     See 9-21-05 Press Conference Program
     THANK YOU - OVER 100 PARENTS SHOWED UP TODAY IN TRENTON at the Parents in Trenton Press Conference
     PARENTS IN TRENTON PRESS ADVISORY & INFO & LOGISTICS
     PARENTS IN TRENTON PRESS ADVISORY & INFO
     FYI Parents in Trenton Press Conference 9-21-05
     PARENTS IN TRENTON PRESS CONFERENCE INVITATION
     NJ State Public Information: How to Locate
     A Parent Call to Action To Amend S1701 & Pursue Quality Public Education for All Children
     Parent Network Sign Up Cover Letter
     Parent Network FYI 1-27-05
     2004 Archives
2-9-07 GSCS EMAILNET MEMBER FYI on Trenton legislation Action
RECENT LEGISLATIVE ACTION- INITIAL REVIEW/MEMBER IMPACT There is a lot of confusion regarding the recent legislative action this week. Here are the key provisions of each of the passed/pending pieces of legislation. Our information is based on the interpretation of the Office of Legislative Services.

This is obviously a very fluid situation and last minute changes are always possible. We are staying close to these issues and are focusing our immediate efforts to keep you informed, as well as to maintain a high level of awareness in the statehouse for our members’ key areas of concern.

Garden State Coalition of Schools/GSCS FYI 2-9-07 RECENT LEGISLATIVE ACTION- IMPACT ON DISTRICTS To: Garden State Coalition of Schools Members Fr: GSCS & School House Strategies Re: Trenton Legislative Action 2-5-07 Garden State Coalition of Schools/GSCS FYI 2-9-07 RECENT LEGISLATIVE ACTION- IMPACT ON DISTRICTS To: Garden State Coalition of Schools Members Fr: GSCS & School House Strategies Re: Trenton Legislative Action 2-5-07 There is a lot of confusion regarding the recent legislative action this week. Here are the key provisions of each of the passed/pending pieces of legislation. Our information is based on the interpretation of the Office of Legislative Services. This is obviously a very fluid situation and last minute changes are always possible. We are staying close to these issues and are focusing our immediate efforts to keep you informed, as well as to maintain a high level of awareness in the statehouse for our members’ key areas of concern. Please go to www.gscschools.org for continued updating and GSCS-recommended member actions regarding Trenton’s developing legislation and impacts. At this time, GSCS is asking the Governor to conditionally veto 2 requirements in A1: 1) The supermajority of 60% of the voter turnout required to pass separate questions. 2) The stipulation that effectively caps the health benefits exemption at the level of growth in the State Health Benefits Plan. Approximately 60% of local school districts participate in private carrier health insurance plans because they have found it less costly do to so. By tying the health benefits exemption to the SHBP is may have the unintended consequence of drawing back districts to a more costly program overall. The marketplace should be the deciding factor for districts, not a legislative disincentive that could impede fiscally responsible choices. We urge members to call the Governor at 609 292 6000 to request he conditionally veto A1 as stated above. Thank you as always for your commitment and effort. Bill Highlights/Initial review: A1 Tax Levy Caps bill (Passed by both houses of the legislature, on the Governor’s desk) A ‘cap’ of 4% is statutorily imposed on the school property tax levy, beginning FY07-08. Given the 4% tax levy cap, the Office of Legislative Services has interpreted the legislative intent of the bill A1 to “set aside” the CIEFA cap of 2.5% or CPI whichever is greater. Other elements of S1701, such as 2% maximum on surplus (unrestricted reserve) and administrative cap remain in effect. Budget Vote: Required vote on the ‘Base Budget’ remains in place. FY 07-08 –Same process as last year, for both vote on the base budget overall and separate questions as well. FY 07-08, per CEIFA, there is no appeal of municipal determination should a separate proposal fail. Beginning with the FY 07-08 budget vote, separate proposals require a 60% supermajority of the votes cast. The Commissioner must provide ‘emergency’ regulations on the bill within 60 days of its enactment. Allows for more flexibility in reserve accounts in transferring funds into reserve accounts. Also a new account has been established under A1 that allows for the establishment of a current expense emergency reserve; A4 The CORE Plan Passed, with amendments (1. appeal of Executive County Superintendent {ECS} budgetary action/decision to Commissioner, and 2. moving the school board member elections back to April) by the Senate on 2-5-07; A4, as amended, must then be voted on in the Assembly in order for bill language to be identical; after the Assembly passage to bill will go to the Governor’s desk for final disposition. Separate proposal requirement In FY 08-09, in order for a district to propose a separate question, the ECS requires that districts either make demonstrated efforts to share services, or are currently sharing services, or can show that the current sharing of services has not saved the district money. Budget oversight: The ECS reviews all district budgets and may disapprove portions of the budget; further the ECS will then require that portion to be deducted prior to the budget’s publication. Appeal process: Appeal to Commissioner of Education permitted regarding ‘budgetary action’ by Executive County Superintendent; if the Commissioner does not issue a decision on the appeal within 15 days, the decision of the Executive County Superintendent stands. Consolidation: No later than three years from the passage of this law, the ECS recommends to the Commissioner a school district consolidation plan to eliminate all districts in the county, other than a county based district, and other than pre-school or Kindergarten-12 district in the county. After approval of the plan by the Commissioner, the ECS requires each board of education covered by this proposal to conduct a special school election on the plan. The proposal for regionalization of the school districts is considered adopted under 18A:13-5 (The vote is considered to be passed if a majority of “the total vote of the entire regional district, without regard to territorial boundaries of the constituent districts,” casts a ‘yes’ vote.). Shared Services: The local district may apply to the County officer to have school services, such as transportation, personnel, purchasing, payroll and accounting, assumed by the Office of the ECS. If the ECS assumes the service, a fee may be assessed. The ECS may utilize County Special Services, Jointures, and Education Services Commissions to provide services to local districts; the ECS may assess a fee to do so. Please go to www.gscschools.org for continued updating and GSCS-recommended member actions regarding Trenton’s developing legislation and impacts. At this time, GSCS is asking the Governor to conditionally veto 2 requirements in A1: 1) The supermajority of 60% of the voter turnout required to pass separate questions. 2) The stipulation that effectively caps the health benefits exemption at the level of growth in the State Health Benefits Plan. Approximately 60% of local school districts participate in private carrier health insurance plans because they have found it less costly do to so. By tying the health benefits exemption to the SHBP is may have the unintended consequence of drawing back districts to a more costly program overall. The marketplace should be the deciding factor for districts, not a legislative disincentive that could impede fiscally responsible choices. We urge members to call the Governor at 609 292 6000 to request he conditionally veto A1 as stated above. Thank you as always for your commitment and effort. Bill Highlights/Initial review: A1 Tax Levy Caps bill (Passed by both houses of the legislature, on the Governor’s desk) A ‘cap’ of 4% is statutorily imposed on the school property tax levy, beginning FY07-08. Given the 4% tax levy cap, the Office of Legislative Services has interpreted the legislative intent of the bill A1 to “set aside” the CIEFA cap of 2.5% or CPI whichever is greater. Other elements of S1701, such as 2% maximum on surplus (unrestricted reserve) and administrative cap remain in effect. Budget Vote: Required vote on the ‘Base Budget’ remains in place. FY 07-08 –Same process as last year, for both vote on the base budget overall and separate questions as well. FY 07-08, per CEIFA, there is no appeal of municipal determination should a separate proposal fail. Beginning with the FY 07-08 budget vote, separate proposals require a 60% supermajority of the votes cast. The Commissioner must provide ‘emergency’ regulations on the bill within 60 days of its enactment. Allows for more flexibility in reserve accounts in transferring funds into reserve accounts. Also a new account has been established under A1 that allows for the establishment of a current expense emergency reserve; A4 The CORE Plan Passed, with amendments (1. appeal of Executive County Superintendent {ECS} budgetary action/decision to Commissioner, and 2. moving the school board member elections back to April) by the Senate on 2-5-07; A4, as amended, must then be voted on in the Assembly in order for bill language to be identical; after the Assembly passage to bill will go to the Governor’s desk for final disposition. Separate proposal requirement In FY 08-09, in order for a district to propose a separate question, the ECS requires that districts either make demonstrated efforts to share services, or are currently sharing services, or can show that the current sharing of services has not saved the district money. Budget oversight: The ECS reviews all district budgets and may disapprove portions of the budget; further the ECS will then require that portion to be deducted prior to the budget’s publication. Appeal process: Appeal to Commissioner of Education permitted regarding ‘budgetary action’ by Executive County Superintendent; if the Commissioner does not issue a decision on the appeal within 15 days, the decision of the Executive County Superintendent stands. Consolidation: No later than three years from the passage of this law, the ECS recommends to the Commissioner a school district consolidation plan to eliminate all districts in the county, other than a county based district, and other than pre-school or Kindergarten-12 district in the county. After approval of the plan by the Commissioner, the ECS requires each board of education covered by this proposal to conduct a special school election on the plan. The proposal for regionalization of the school districts is considered adopted under 18A:13-5 (The vote is considered to be passed if a majority of “the total vote of the entire regional district, without regard to territorial boundaries of the constituent districts,” casts a ‘yes’ vote.). Shared Services: The local district may apply to the County officer to have school services, such as transportation, personnel, purchasing, payroll and accounting, assumed by the Office of the ECS. If the ECS assumes the service, a fee may be assessed. The ECS may utilize County Special Services, Jointures, and Education Services Commissions to provide services to local districts; the ECS may assess a fee to do so.