Quality Public Education for All New Jersey Students

 

 
     1-12-10 Moving on...'Budget plan a wrinkle for districts'
     1-11-10 Transition News
     1-5-10 GSCS: Update on January 4 Lame Duck Session
     1-6-10 Race to the Top Plans on the move, not without conflict
     12-27-09 'New Jersey competes for education reform stimulus money' (aka 'Race to the Top' funds)
     12-23-09 Gannett article provides details on Gov. Corzine's proposal to use additional surplus in place of state aid
     12-23-09 GSCS: Governor Corzine targets excess school surplus to replace state aid payments starting in Feb '10 - lame duck legislation anticipated
     10-20-09 REMINDER: Commissioner Davy to be at 10-28 GSCS meeting in Atlantic City
     9-13-09 As an issue for N.J.(Gubernatorial election), schools are in'
     7-22-09 'State gives extra aid for schools an extraordinary boost'
     6-19-09 a.m. GSCS 'Quick' FYI - State Budget Vote delayed to Thursday, June 25
     6-16-09 News from Trenton on State Budget in Senate and Assembly Budget Committees yesterday
     APPROPRIATIONS ACT FY2009-1020 as introduced
     A4100-S2010 Appropriations Act 'Scoresheet' and Language Changes released
     6-10-09 Education Week on Abbott Decision
     6-9-09 COMMENTARY on Supreme Court Abbott school funding decisio
     5-27-09 GSCS 18th ANNUAL MEETING - All INVITED GUESTS HAVE CONFIRMED, INCLUDING GOVERNOR CORZINE
     5-19-09 Treasurer David Rousseau announces additional round of cuts to Gov's proposed State Budget FY2009-2010
     4-5-09 The Record, Sunday April 5, Front Page Opinion
     3-29-09 Record Editorial on Judge Doyne recommendations
     3-16-09 EMAILNET
     3-11-09 CORZINE BUDGET ADDRESS: STATE FUNDING FOR SCHOOLS A LITTLE MORE NOT LESS - FEDERAL TITLE 1 & IDEA INCREASES YET TO BE COUNTED - STATE SCHOOL AID FIGURES ON DEPT OF ED WEBSITE 1:30 TODAY - RELATED ARTICLES, MORE...
     3-10-09 GOVERNOR TO DELIVER STATE BUDGET MESSAGE TODAY - SCHOOL AID FIGURES TO BE RELEASED BY THURSDAY LATEST
     2-24-09 State Budget & Stimulus News of Note
     2-19-09 Federal stimulus - information re: Education funding in 'State Fiscal Stabilization' part of the package
     1-16-09 Today's news notes state budget waiting on Obama stimulus package
     1-11-09 'Corzine State of State speech to put economy front & center'
     12-28-08 NY Times 'Pension Fight Signals What Lies Ahead'
     12-29-08 NJ to new leaders - Fund our schools
     12-23-08 Governor faces hard choices in the New Year
     12-21-08 GSCS EMAILNET - Excerpts
     11-18-08 Ledger Online & 11-19 Star Ledger headline news
     11-18-08 Supreme Court decides in favor of Abbott districts re new school funding law
     11-5-08 Gov. Corzine U.S. Treasury Secretary?
     11-5-08 Governor Corzine candidate for Secretary of U.S. Treasury per Ledger report
     Conversation with the Commissioner in Atlantic City
     Education Commissioner Lucille Davy at GSCS Open Mtg 10-29 in A.C.
     9-24-08 Supreme Court hearing on constitutionality of School Funding Reform Act
     8-29-08 'Newly hired teachers benefit from Corzine delay'
     12-3-07 As details become clearer on the new funding plan, GSCS will report on its emerging position
     11-20-07 RELEASE OF NEW SCHOOL FUNDING FORMULA LIKELY TO BE DELAYED UNTIL AFTER THE THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY
     11-16-07 Governor Corzine's remarks on school funding to League of Municipalities
     11-8-07 Governor & Legislative leadership agree to take up - and pass - funding formula in Lame Duck
     10-23 Media reports & Trenton responses to date re GSCS Press Conf
     9-29-07 The New York Times - Patience with Corzine Wears Thin
     10-10-07 Key Questions for Legislative Candidates
     10-12-07 Coach Corzine's tactic to win the game? Punt
     In the news - Corzine on school aid formula & good news for urban schools
     9-13-07Corzine adds school aid to the lame-duck agenda
     8-10-07 'Standing 'O' greets Corzine as he hosts town hall mtg'
     8-1-07 'Paterson isn't ready to gain control' & 7-29 'The Numbers still don't add up'
     4-4-07 News articles, editorial & Op-Ed on bill signings for A1 and A4
     3-25-07 New York Times on NJ Comparative Spending Guide, more on Gov putting off signing A1, Tax Caps & Rebate bill
     3-22-07 THINGS CHANGE...Governor Corzine delays A1 becoming law
     3-21-07 The Tax Cap-Credit bill, A1, can become law by Friday without Governor's signature
     3-1-07 Emerging Devil showing up in the details
     2-23-07 News Articles re Gov's Budget Proposal
     2-22-07 GSCS EMAILNET re Gov's Budget Message
     2-22-07 Governor Corzine's Budget Message today
     2-16 to 2-19 New Articles of Note
     2-14-07 GSCS letter to Gov Corzine & Commr of Education Davy - Request for State Aid FY0708
     2-12-07 State School Aid - needed to offset property taxes now
     2-9-07 GSCS EMAILNET MEMBER FYI on Trenton legislation Action
     2-8-07 News artiles-editorial re Gov's annoucnement that there will not be a new school funding formula for FY0708
     2-7-07 School funding, school audits - need for new formula underscored
     2-6-07 Trenton Update - S19 Super Supt passes Senate; Tax Cap bill stalled; No funding formula in FY0708
     2-1-07 Turnpike for sale, Gov - need funding formula, more
     1-30-07 'Is Property Tax Plan Legal?'
     1-30-07 Tax Caps bill, A1, passes Assembly late last night
     1-25-07 GSCS: No School Aid = No Real Tax Relief...again
     1-24-07 Quinnipiac Poll & School Construction woes for Corzine
     1-21-07 Gannett article on 'property tax credit, annual cap vote due'
     Trenton Update Jan 9-Jan 15, Gov's State of the State, more
     1-8-07 Articles & Editorial talk about 'missing pieces' of tax reform proposal and note consequences
     1-7-06 GSCS & HARD CAPS & IMPORTANT PIECES OF THE PUZZLE STILL MISSING
     GSCS RESOLUTION FOR PUBLIC SCHOOLS 2007
     1-5-07 Small-town officials protest consolidation
     1-2-07 GSCS New Year's Resolution
     12-19-06 Feedback - articles on school funding hearings yesterday
     12-18-06 Sunday editorials - take of Property Tax session
     12-15-06 EMAILNET Bills Held!
     12-11-06 Trenton is in disarray - read news clip
     12-8 & 12-9 News clips on Trenton machinations...
     11-19-06 Sunday Press Articles & Commentaries
     11-16-06 Governor Corzine's speech on Property Tax Address to League of Municipalities
     11-10-06 NJ education chief vows urban support
     11-11-06 EMAILNET Special Session Legislative Committees report Nov. 14 or 15
     11-9-06 Public hearing on school consolidation tonight, 7 pm, at Freehold Borough Chambers, 51 Main St
     11-9-06 Public hearing on school consolidation tonight, 7 pm, in Freehold
     11-6-06 The need for special education funding to stay as a 'categorical' aid based on each students disability is real
     11-4-06 Senate President & Assembly Speaker 'no new taxes'
     10-25-06 Details on Corzine Administration's new funding formula starting to emerge
     10-5-06 EMAILNET
     10-5-06 Conversation on school funding, consolidation continues
     School Construction: Third Report to Governor by Interagency Working Group
     9-15-06 Star Ledger & AP - 3.25B suggested for school construction
     9-15-06 Star Ledger - 3.25B suggested for school construction
     August 2006 on - GSCS NOTEBOARD ON SPECIAL SESSION Committee meetings
     7-29-06 School Funding formula draws mixed reactions
     7-28-06 Gov to legislature: make history, cut taxes
     7-27-06 Trenton begins its move to address property taxes
     7-16-06 Lead economists address NJ's economy downswing
     7-12-06 Column on State Budget legislator items
     7-14-06 EMAILNET
     7-12-06 It's Official - Governor appoints Lucille Davy as Education Commissioner
     7-11-06 Talk of Special Session on Property Tax Reform
     7-9&10-06 State Budget news articles -wrap up & news analyses
     7-9-06 Sunday New York Times
     7-8-06 FY07 Budget approved - 19.5 in spec ed grants stays in
     7-7-06 EMAILNET - AGREEMENT ON STATE BUDGET REACHED, impt 'details' still being finalized
     7-7-06 AGREEMENT ON STAE BUDGET REACHED, impt 'details' still being finalized
     7-3-06 Roberts, Codey & Corzine still not on same page
     6-30-06 State Budget news - as the dissonance must be resolved
     6-29-06 Mirroring the elements, State Budget looking like a 'natural disaster'
     6-15-06 Star Ledger, Gannet articles- Abbott advocates demand school reform at educ. dept
     6-12-06 EMAILNET - Extraordinary Special Education student aid; FY07 Budget 'crunch' is on; news clips
     6-6-06 Legislative Leaders announce initial plans for property tax reform
     5-16-06 EMAILNET Action in Trenton
     5-10-06 A Lot is going on - Major News fromTrenton
     Gubernatorial Candidates' Education Plans announced September 05
     Governor Corzine takes steps towards major policy initiatives.
     4-8-07 Corzine Administration files brief with Supreme Court re Abbott funding
     4-7-07 The Record
     3-29-06 EMAILNET State Budget FY07 Hearings Update
     3-28-06 GSCS testimony before Assembly Budget Comm today
     3-24-06 EMAILNET FYI Update on Gov Corzine's Budget FY07
     3-23-06 Corzine says some Abbotts can raise taxes
     3-16-06 Gannett Press: Corzine wants to raise taxes, slash $2B
     Governor's Budget message 1 pm 3-21-06
     3-15-06 News articles on FY07
     3-10-06 Star Ledger 'Time is ripe for poorer districts to contribute.
     3-9-06 Governor speaks to S1701 at town meeting
     3-7-06 More articles on the Gov's Budget Summit and School Board members fo to Trenton
     3-7-06 Articles on Gov's Budget Summit and School Board members off to Trenton
     12-14-05 Asbury ParkPress Editorial 'Re-assess the ABC's of School Funding' notes the Governor's role is critical in making positive change occur
     Gubernatorial, Assembly District by District, County and Municipal voting breakdowns-results & formats for November 8 elections
     2-2-06 GSCS HEADS UP re probable delay of Governor's Budget Message
     Governor Corzine's Transition Team Reports
     1-19-06 EMAILNET Quick Facts, On the Homepage Today
     1-19-06 News Articles Trenton Times, The Record, Star Ledger
     1-18-06 Star Ledger
     Governor Corzine- Inaugural Address
     1-15-06 The Record 2 Sunday Articles anticipating top issues confronting the Corzine administration
     1-11-06 Star Ledger - Corzine Casts Wide Net for Cabinet
     12-14-05 Asbury ParkPress Editorial 'Re-assess the ABC's of School Funding'
     12-5-05 Governor-elect Corzine selects policy advisory groups
     11-20-05 Sunday Star Ledger 'Corzine's risky promise to taxpayers
     11-11-05 Trenton Times Corzine puts property taxes at the top of his agenda
     11-9-05 The Record - Governor Elect can't claim a mandate
     November 9 The Trenton Times - Corzine Triumphs
     9-9-05 Trenton Times,Corzine Education Agenda
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.