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and, On the Home Page Today
GARDEN STATE COALITION OF SCHOOLS/EMAILNET 12-12-05
GSCS quick fact:
ü CANCELLED - Board of Trustees meeting Wednesday, Dec. 14, 4 p.m. Next Board meeting is scheduled for Wednesday 1/11/06 at
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PASSED UNANIMOUSLY by ASSEMBLY EDUCATION COMM. 12/8/05
(See related articles below and at www.gscschools.org )
· A2669/Watson Coleman & Chivukula [companion S1553 /Adler] Eliminates various mandates imposed on public school districts.
· A COMBINED BILL OF A4577 AND A4599: The combined bill addresses the caps for heating costs [defined as “natural gas, oil, gasoline, and diesel fuel]; the combined bill dropped the proposed increase in allowable surplus however.
GSCS supported all the above bills at the hearing as did the entire education community; in addition we thank GSCS members Dr. James O’Neill, Chatham, and Dr. David Abbot, Marlboro, for their time and thoughtful testimonies they presented at the hearing in support of the cap waiver bills. We also thank Richard Snyder, Ramsey, for his testimony calling for the passage of A2669.
The next steps: GSCS urges the Senate to move on these bills quickly to underscore its recognition of the need for relief.
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ON THE HOME PAGE TODAY…..
On 'Star Ledger Live" at NJ.COM, 12-8-05
Assembly panel to hear from educators today Rising fuel and heating costs are expected to be subject of a state Assembly hearing this afternoon, as school officials argue for bills that would ease the state's spending restrictions in the wake of the high energy costs.
The Assembly's education committee is considering bills that could exempt some utility costs from the controversial spending caps passed two years ago under former Gov. Jim McGreevey. School districts have been critical of the rules, saying they place unrealistic limits on their budgets and will surely force cuts in programs and staffing.
So far, the legislature has resisted easing the rules, but school lobbyists hope the pressures of escalating utility costs will provide schools the first relief from the restrictions. Districts have reported as much as $300,000 in additional and unexpected costs due to rising fuel and heating prices.
"The unpredictable rising utility cost issue is a good example of what can happen where the entire budgeted is legislated," said Lynne Strickland, a lobbyist for suburban districts.
12-10-05 Star Ledger Schools might get heating help as bill gains on spending caps
Faced with an unexpected increase in energy costs,
12-8-05
Lynne Strickland, executive director of the Garden State Coalition of Schools, which opposes the new law, called Newsome a great organizer and spokeswoman for the cause. "Kim is a committed and motivated advocate, who has been of real value to the coalition and has really joined in our effort," Strickland says.”