School Facts - Information & Funding Data & Reports

5-1-12 REVISED GRADUATION RATES per County-District, AS RELEASED 120501

Wed, 9 May 2012 17:50:20 EDT

Per Dept of Education realease 5-1-12: Trenton, NJ � Reinforcing the need for new graduation requirements not only to increase the number of high school graduates but to ensure that students who do graduate from high school are college and career ready, the Christie Administration today released district and school graduation rates along with graduate pathway information.

5-1-12 Department of Education Release explains policy rationals for new rate methodology, federal requirements for revision of gradnuation rates

Wed, 9 May 2012 17:49:45 EDT

Click on More here to read full explanation, as well as to find links to statewide rates and methodology 'pathway'.

4-11,12-12 p.m - Governor's Press Release re Priority, Focus and Rewards Schools Final list...PolitickerNJ and NJ Spotlight articles

Thu, 12 Apr 2012 11:33:47 EDT

(GSCS Note: 14.8% of NJ's 2500 schools fall into these 3 categories. The Priority and Focus schools will be targeted for collaborative oversight and/or intervention by the Departmenet of Education via the DOE's 7 new Regional Assistance Centers. The Rewards schools are demonstrating success in closing achievement gaps or performing at a high rate overall.)

Politickernj - Post-NCLB: Education Dept. devises new accountability measures for schools

Governor�s Press Release 4-11-12:Christie Administration Moves Forward to Turn Around Lowest-Performing Schools in the State, Provide Targeted Support for Improvement, and to Reward Successful Schools

NJ Spotlight - NJ Puts New Labels on Schools for Test Scores, Graduation Rates�With No Child off the books, 370 schools are highlighted under new accountability rules

November Elections for Schools - Department of Education FAQ's

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 6:25:17 EST

List of PRIORITY, FOCUS and REWARDS SCHOOLS per DOE Application on ESEA (NCLB) Waiver

Mon, 28 Nov 2011 9:44:1 EST

Education Transformation Task Force Initial Report...45 recommendations for starters

Tue, 13 Sep 2011 10:2:17 EDT

7-14-11 DOE Guidance on Local Options for using Additional State School Aid in FY'12 State Budget.PDF

Thu, 14 Jul 2011 16:38:27 EDT

Early this morning (7-14-11) the Department of Education sent out 'Guidance' directives to school districts (non Abbotts) slated to receive that Additional State School Aid of $150M that the Governor added to the State Budget for FY'12 via Line Item Veto on 7-1-11. GSCS is appreciative of the additional aid and also that local school communities will have flexibility of choice via the options available to them. Thus the communities can choose how to apply this aid within those options, keeping in mind what best suits the educational and fiscal needs of their particular community.

7-14-11 State GUIDANCE re: Using Additional State Aid as Property Tax Relief in this FY'12 Budget year.PDF

Thu, 14 Jul 2011 16:38:2 EDT

This Guidance information is from the Department of Community Affairs, Division of Local Government (Director Thomas Neff).

FY'12 State School Aid District-by-District Listing, per Appropriations Act, released 110711

Tue, 12 Jul 2011 16:21:40 EDT

At this time, no guidelines have been yet realeased. It is likely they will be out in the next few days. Stay tuned.

7-12-11 pm District by District Listing of State Aid for FY'12 - Guidelines to be released later this week (xls)

Tue, 12 Jul 2011 15:42:32 EDT

Democrat Budget Proposal per S4000, for Fiscal Year 2011-2012

Tue, 28 Jun 2011 13:6:51 EDT

Because this proposal includes funding for all school communities as GSCS had requested, GSCS is supportive of the proposal, in particular the near $86M added that ensures all districts are included in the funding 'puzzle'.

The Senate and Assembly companion bills on this proposal both passed out of budget committee yesterday and are scheduled for a final vote tomorrow in both houses.

Additional School Aid [if the school funding formula,SFRA, were fully funded for all districts] per Millionaires' Tax bill S2969

Tue, 28 Jun 2011 13:5:51 EDT

GSCS informs: This proposal is combined in 2 separate bill, S2969 the Millionaires' Tax, and S2070 School Aid Distribution per S2969. The bills are 'tied' together which means that neither can be effected unless they both pass. The Budget bills are separate from the Millionaires' Tax bills, and the Budget bills are more probable; the Tax bill is possible but expectations should be tempered as the Governor has repeatedly stated he would unconditionally veto such...Realistically speaking, politics are at play and thus so is reliability.

4-29-11 BOOMERANG! Near 80 per cent of School Budgets Passed in Wednesday'sSchool Elections

Fri, 29 Apr 2011 10:46:11 EDT

Press of Atlantic City - Some school budgets defeated in Wednesday's vote had no tax hikes

Njspotlight.com - Garden State Voters Approve 80 Percent of School Budgets...Light voter turnout revives various plans to move school elections to a more auspicious date

Star Ledger - Nearly 80 percent of N.J. school budgets pass, representing highest rate in a decade

4-7-11 Gov. Christie - 'Addressing New Jersey's Most Pressing Education Challenges'

Thu, 7 Apr 2011 16:0:33 EDT

"Making 2011 the Year of Education Reform" (pdf)

GSCS - Local District Listing : Local Funds Transferred to Charter Schools 2001-2010

Tue, 8 Mar 2011 13:50:55 EST

GSCS Bar Chart: Statewide Special Education cost percent compared to Regular & Other Instructional cost percent 2004-2011

Tue, 8 Mar 2011 13:49:15 EST

Link to Teacher Evaluation Task Force Report

Sun, 6 Mar 2011 11:28:59 EST

1-24-11 GSCSS Testimony before Assembly Education Committee: Charter School Reform

Tue, 25 Jan 2011 17:22:50 EST

To read testimony, click here on

1-13-11 Supreme Court Appoints Special Master for remand Hearing

Fri, 21 Jan 2011 19:9:30 EST

The Record 'N.J. Supreme Court appointee to look into state education cuts'January 13, 2011 "...Lynne Strickland, who has watched repeated rounds of school funding litigation from her advocacy post as executive director of the Garden State Coalition of Schools, said she expected the justices would render their decision before the fiscal 2012 budget is due.

�I guess they decided not to punt,� she said. �I�m just worried about how this is all going to play out. There is so much uncertainty in the air.�

njspotlight.com 1-14-11 'Supreme Court Remands Abbott v. Burke to Lower Court for Fact Finding' Justice's order appears to put burden of proof on Christie administration...

7-21-10 List of bills in Governor's 'Toolkit'

Wed, 21 Jul 2010 16:20:59 EDT

Office on Legislative Services Analysis of Department of Educaiton - State Budget for FY'11

Wed, 28 Apr 2010 13:24:18 EDT

Click on More here to get hyperlink to this study done by the independent, non-partisan Office of Legislative Services (OLS) Education section. Information on the wage freeze impact on local districts, e.g., may be found on pp.23-24; 'Implications of State Aid Reductions on the Property Tax Levy Cap' in this analysis begin on p. 25.

4-21-10 DOE posts election results

Wed, 21 Apr 2010 17:4:11 EDT

Click on More here to read Commissioner's statement, plus get to links that breakdown election results by district, county, voter turnout, levy comparisons...

4-15-10 Education Week - Education Secretary recommends federal funds to 'preserve' education jobs

Tue, 20 Apr 2010 13:1:21 EDT

"U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan today urged Congress to pass new aid to preserve education jobs. He testified before the Senate Appropriations subcommittee that deals with education spending on the same day the panel�s chairman introduced a bill that would provide $23 billion for that purpose..."

3-23-10 GSCS Testimony presented to Senate Budget Committee on State Budget FY'11

Wed, 24 Mar 2010 8:57:5 EDT

In addition to overall numbers on Formula Aid Impact on GSCS Districts and Special Education, GSCS testimony includes attachments:'District Vignettes' and Tables on Aid Loss by County and Statewide/see postings directly above.

GSCS - Formula Aid Loss and Percent Loss by District - Statewide

Wed, 24 Mar 2010 8:56:5 EDT

GSCS - Formula Aid Loss under 50%, by County

Wed, 24 Mar 2010 8:55:35 EDT

GSCS - Formula Aid Loss of 50% or more, by County

Wed, 24 Mar 2010 8:55:3 EDT

State Aid 2010 Reserve Calculation and Appeal Procedures

Fri, 12 Feb 2010 14:20:43 EST

School Aid Withheld Spreadsheet

Fri, 12 Feb 2010 14:19:40 EST

1-13-10 Christie's New Commissioner of Education to be announced today - 12:30 Statehouse Press Conference

Wed, 13 Jan 2010 11:50:59 EST

January 13, 2010, Associated Press Source: Christie taps Schundler for education post

"School choice proponent Bret Schundler will be Gov.-elect Chris Christie's pick to serve as New Jersey's education commissioner.

A person with direct knowledge of the nomination says Schundler will join Christie at an afternoon news conference Wednesday. The person was not authorized to speak ahead of the announcement.

Schundler has taken on national and state teachers unions in the past. Like the incoming governor, he is a proponent of giving parents more choices on where to send their children to school.

The former Jersey City mayor launched an unsuccessful bid for the Republican nomination for governor in 2005.

Schundler is chief operating officer of The King's College. The Christian liberal arts school is located in the Empire State Building.

The nomination must be confirmed by the state Senate."

1-13-10 New Commissioner of Education to be announced today - 12:30 Statehouse Press Conference

Wed, 13 Jan 2010 11:31:23 EST

STATE BOARD of EDUCATION 2009-2010 MEETINGS SCHEDULE

Fri, 18 Sep 2009 10:33:15 EDT

10-2-09 News of Note

Fri, 2 Oct 2009 12:22:12 EDT

N.J. to receive nearly $533 million in education aid GANNETT WASHINGTON BUREAU � OCTOBER 1, 2009 "New Jersey will receive nearly $533 million worth of federal grants for teacher and student support programs, Education Secretary Arne Duncan said Thursday...The money will be used to help students at so-called Title I, or high-poverty, schools and children with disabilities...The grant funding is separate from the $100 billion in education money Congress approved as part of the $787 billion economic stimulus bill, which President Barack Obama signed into law in February."

'N.J. schools narrowing achievement gap for minority, low-income students, study says' Star Ledger... WASHINGTON -- New Jersey schools are narrowing the achievement gap for minority and low-income students on statewide standardized reading and math tests, reflecting a nationwide trend, according to a study released today..."

10-1-09 Education Week on Acheivement Gap narrowing; Algebra Testing

Fri, 2 Oct 2009 12:21:49 EDT

EDUCATION WEEK: October 1, 2009 Report Finds Achievement Gap Continuing to Narrow, By Stephen Sawchuk

"Achievement gaps between advantaged and disadvantaged students on state tests have narrowed in many instances over the past decade�continuing a trend that appears to have been bolstered in the 1990s by the standards-based-reform movement, concludes a wide-ranging analysis released today..."

EDUCATION WEEK, Published Online: October 1, 2009 Algebra 2 Test Yields Poor Results in Year II "States that voluntarily took part in a demanding test of advanced algebra skills, given for a second straight year, again saw large proportions of their students struggle with that math content.Yet the test�s sponsors cite the effort as evidence of states� willingness to band together to create common assessments�a possibility that interests many policymakers�even when the test results are unflattering..."

ARRA funding guidelines& NJ accountability summary - links from Federal Government

Tue, 29 Sep 2009 18:0:34 EDT

August 2009 Information on Federal Stimulus funding supporting school districts Fiscal Year 2009-2010

Mon, 14 Sep 2009 10:31:58 EDT

http://www.state.nj.us/education/arra/

�X Memo

�X SFSF - Equalization Aid Allocations		Memo
�X IDEA Allocations		Memo
�X Title I Allocations - Revised		Memo

�X ARRA - Title I Fact Sheet (as of August 17, 2009) �X SIA, Part A Allocations �X 2009 Summer Programs �X Resources �X ARRA Slideshow - May 16, 2009 �X ARRA Technical Assistance Session PowerPoint Presentation �V June 2009 �X ARRA Technical Assistance Session PowerPoint Presentation �V July 2009 �X Title I Preschool Application �X Title I Part A Waivers �V Request for Comments �X Application for Equalization Aid - ARRA-ESF/GSF and ARRA Quarterly Reporting

7-22-09 'State gives extra aid for schools an extraordinary boost'

Wed, 22 Jul 2009 17:31:5 EDT

Press of Atlantic City/TRENTON - This year, extraordinary school aid really is extraordinary. The state Department of Education has awarded almost $140 million in so-called extraordinary state aid for 2009-2010 to school districts with disabled children whose education costs exceed $40,000 per year. The awards were a huge increase over last year, when the state budget included just $52 million for extraordinary aid. "We've worked hard on this for years," said Lynne Strickland, executive director of the Garden State Coalition of Schools. "Extra-ordinary expenses for just one or two children can push a district off the budget cliff."

7-16-08 Schools Testing measures adopted; Test scoring upgraded - harder to pass

Thu, 16 Jul 2009 8:42:1 EDT

Philadelphia Inquirer - N.J. adopts tougher math, language standards The New Jersey Board of Education yesterday adopted tougher achievement standards for the state math and language-arts tests that third and fourth graders take.

Press of Atlantic City � New scoring makes 3rd-, 4th-grade tests harder to pass State wants expectations raised for all grade levels

6-26-09 Executive Director to GSCS Trustees; Wrap Up Report - State Budget and Assembly bills this week

Fri, 26 Jun 2009 10:58:20 EDT

6-18-09 NJ toughens high school graduation requirements

Wed, 24 Jun 2009 11:2:59 EDT

The Star-Ledger CAMDEN -- The state Board of Education adopted tougher new high school graduation requirements today that aim to prepare all New Jersey students for jobs or college in the 21st century economy...

6-10-09 Education Week on Abbott Decision

Thu, 11 Jun 2009 7:26:2 EDT

'Though N.J. Funding Formula Upheld, Abbott Intact' - "...The governor, who had likened the old method to funding children by zip code, hailed the high court ruling in a statement, saying that it �brings to a conclusion decades of conflict and litigation that many thought would never end.�..."David G. Sciarra, the lead lawyer for the Abbott schoolchildren, said the case is not over �by a long shot.�... �The new formula provides, arguably, the most generous resources in the nation for children at risk,� she (Commissioner of Education Lucille Davy) said. �It is really difficult for me, given the complexity of the national fiscal crisis, for anyone to look at this glass and see it as anything less than full.� ".....Lynne Strickland, the executive director of the Garden State Coalition of Schools, an advocacy group for middle- and upper-income districts, said the new formula offers a mixed bag for her members.....Nevertheless, she sees tremendous political advantage for schools in the adoption of one uniform funding approach. �For the first time in recent history, all the districts in the state will be unified in some real common-denominator advocacy,� Ms. Strickland said.

6-9-09 COMMENTARY on Supreme Court Abbott school funding decisio

Thu, 11 Jun 2009 7:25:28 EDT

Perspectives and Moving Forward:COMMENTARY ON SUPREME COURT ABBOTT DECISION- SCHOOL FUNDING FORMULA CONSTITUTIONAL: 'Abbott amended; now, eliminate spending caps' NorthJersey.com by Robert Hutton, vice president of the Ridgewood Board of Education.

"THE ABBOTT decisions have been with us for more than 20 years. I don't believe the most recent state Supreme Court decision will make unfair funding formulas go away that easily..."

"Given the court's support for the new school funding formula, the only logical next step is to abolish the legislation dictating caps...The reversal of these caps would put budget decisions back where they have been and rightfully should be � in the hands of district voters...If caps remain, the end result will be the elimination of high performing districts such as Ridgewood in New Jersey."

'Verniero: From the courtrooms to the classrooms' NorthJersey.com, by Peter G. Verniero, a lawyer, formerly served as a justice of the New Jersey Supreme Court and state attorney general. As attorney general, he represented the state in the fourth and fifth Abbott cases..."The bottom line is this: For the time being, all three branches of government are moving in the same direction. If we could keep it that way, all of New Jersey�s school children would be the winners."

5-09 GSCS ASKS - Education funding questions- school districts need answers

Wed, 20 May 2009 9:32:23 EDT

While the end of the fiscal year is ending not only for Trenton, but alo for schools, there are still many large budget quest remaining: Where is the special education Extraordinary Aid schools were requried to budget for and when will these funds be given to local schools? If not done soon, schools may not be able to balance their budgets....Is the last state aid payment going to be paid by the end of the fiscal year this year?....When will the federal stimulus funds actually be transferred on to local school accounts so programs can really take effect? ....Will school construction funds be paid out in timely fashion? There are more questions but these need answering now.

5-19-09 Treasurer David Rousseau announces additional round of cuts to Gov's proposed State Budget FY2009-2010

Wed, 20 May 2009 9:31:59 EDT

GSCS information is that education aid is impacted, reductions are: $5M for new special education magnet program; $25M for new Preschool Incentive aid for 'universal' districts; and $35M in debt service aid (near 20% reduction across the board for districts that receive debt service aid - details are not yet available in literally how this cut will be applied)......Extraordinary Aid for Special Education students whose costs are above $40K per pupil remains whole/has not been reduced........... STAR LEDGER - 'N.J. Treasurer announces steps to plug $2B in budget deficit' and 'Worst year for N.J. tax collections, budget analyst says'..."In an effort to meet "the most daunting challenge of any budget in state history," Gov. Jon Corzine plans to eliminate property tax rebates for everyone except seniors and the disabled, raise taxes on those earning more than $400,000 a year, and delay the expansion of preschool programs to plug a $2 billion deficit in his spending proposal, state Treasurer David Rousseau said today..."

5-14-09 GSCS Heads Up - State Aid payments to be delayed into next Fiscal Year

Wed, 20 May 2009 9:31:41 EDT

Note: GSCS continues to advocate for an increase in allowable surplus. The current 2% limit has been often specified by auditors as to restrictive and inflexible when critical stress on budgets - such as this delay - may occur. '...GSCS was a participant in a late afternoon conference call with Lucille Davy, Commissioner of Education today, 5-14-09 re: Governor Corzine�s State Budget FY10 update 5-14-09.

� Statewide this delay totals $383M � Both the last and now �next to last� state aid payments will be reimbursed to districts in early July at the same time, in one lump sum

'...Districts need to review their cash flow situation immediately to see if they will require borrowing; suggest districts use �cash flow summary� sheet already posted on DOE website...'

4-23-09 The public shows its support for public education in passing nearly 75% of school budgets statewide

Thu, 23 Apr 2009 11:12:50 EDT

STAR LEDGER, 4-23-09,'Despite national recession, N.J. voters approve 73 percent of school budgets' "...They braced for the worst but instead most New Jersey school districts were expressing relief today, after voters approved 73.3 percent of school budgets in local school elections Tuesday night..."

PRESS OF ATLANTIC CITY, 4-23-09, 'New Jersey voters no tougher on school budgets this year than last' "...Increased state aid and new state laws capping property-tax increases appear to have played a role in increasing budget approvals during the past few years...New Jersey School Boards Association data show that in 2006, when five years of flat state aid forced local school boards to turn to taxpayers for more money, only 52 percent of budgets passed..."

4-22-09 Statewide County by County Results FY0910 School Budget Elections

Wed, 22 Apr 2009 17:10:5 EDT

4-22-09 Statewide District by District Results FY0910 School Budget Elections

Wed, 22 Apr 2009 17:9:44 EDT

4-22-09 Department of Education releases recap of school budget vote, 73.5 passage rate

Wed, 22 Apr 2009 17:9:26 EDT

"...The Commissioner called the approval rate �quite extraordinary� in light of the national economic crisis...it seems clear that yesterday�s school budget vote shows that the public supports local efforts to provide the best possible education for their children. [Davy] also praised Governor�s Corzine�s commitment to making additional education funding a priority, �not just because it is the right thing to do but because it is one of several ways that we are trying to rein in property taxes, and voters seem to be responding to that.� Indicating that voters did not support spending beyond the 4% tax levy cap, ten )10) of eleven (11) second questions were defeated.The 11 second questions on the local ballots was the lowest number ever.

Seventeen of the 22 bond referenda on the ballot passed.

http://www.nj.gov/education/data/vote/09/

Click on More for full details...

4-21-09 Today is School Board Election Day - Remember to Vote

Tue, 21 Apr 2009 15:50:44 EDT

090416 DOE RELEASE - Fed'l StimulusTITLE 1 ALLOCATIONS

Fri, 17 Apr 2009 10:22:40 EDT

090416 DOE RELEASE - Fed'l Stimulus IDEA ALLOCATIONS

Fri, 17 Apr 2009 10:21:28 EDT

3-25-09 Judge Doyne makes recommendation to Supreme Court on Abbott v School Funding Reform Act

Fri, 27 Mar 2009 13:0:48 EDT

'Abbott Update' THE RECORD, By KATHLEEN CARROLL "...Justices asked Doyne to review the new school funding formula, hear testimony and make a formal recommendation. After three weeks of hearings, he concluded that a new method of distributing state aid among New Jersey�s 600-plus school districts secures �the thorough and efficient education so desperately needed for the development of our youth.�

The new school funding formula �represents a thoughtful, progressive attempt to assist at-risk children throughout the State of New Jersey, and not only those who by happenstance reside in Abbott districts,� he wrote..."

3-26 & 27-09 Abbott recommendation back to Supreme Court: - editorials & articles

Fri, 27 Mar 2009 13:0:6 EDT

3-26-09 New formula for funding N.J. schools ruled legal Judge's decision could end the state's Abbott program THE STAR-LEDGER

NORTHJERSEY.COM - UPDATE 3-26-09: Judge's ruling could mean end of Abbott schools funding

STAR LEDGER EDITORIAL - Reinventing the Abbott ruling in New Jersey - 3-27-09 "We have reached a watershed moment for public school funding in New Jersey.After three weeks of hearings, a judge found Gov. Jon Corzine's plan to overhaul the state aid formula meets the constitutional requirement to provide a "thorough and efficient" education for every student...By and large, we think the judge got it right..."

Doblin: Corzine - No straight man in an Abbott comedy routin-THE RECORD, 3-27-09 "...A Superior Court judge ruled Wednesday that the governor's new school aid formula is constitutional. While that decision will bounce back up to the state Supreme Court, with his approval rating dropping like a fly ball and the state's middle class squeezed like a Valencia orange, this is a huge victory for the governor up for reelection...This is real middle-class relief. This is real education reform. This is progress..."

3-09 School Facilities Grant Program - Regular Operating Districts: Allocations & Analysis Round One

Fri, 27 Mar 2009 13:4:16 EDT

GSCS has been involved since the later 1990's in seeing that the regular operating districts, which are primarily suburban, receive a fair share in the school construction program. In fact, GSCS was widely recognized for its advocacy in getting the 40% grant program (and seeing that % maintained in the current program) established as the floor for grant funding for all districts. Below is the link to the latest round of Department of Education approval grants for regular operating districts release March 5, 2009. http://www.nj.gov/education/facilities/projectapplication/rod/Allocation1Analysis.pdf

Title 1 funding charts - Same as immediately below, but in PDF form: Latest Title 1 'preliminary' funding under the ARRA 3-09

Sun, 15 Mar 2009 7:56:41 EDT

2-23-09 'There's no formula for fairness in school aid case'

Mon, 23 Feb 2009 15:47:32 EST

Peter Doyne has this way of thinking when he is on the bench: The judge slides his glasses up to his forehead, turns his head toward the ceiling of his courtroom in Hackensack...Doyne presides over the state school aid formula case and could use help from anywhere..."This divides us, and has divided us for decades," says Lynne Strickland, the head of a group of mostly suburban districts, the Garden State Coalition of Schools. "All of us in education should be in the same boat -- we'd be more powerful then. But we somehow never are. There's always the competition."

NJ District listing, Title One & IDEA under federal stimulus law

Sun, 22 Feb 2009 15:40:13 EST

House Committee on Education and Labor website re Federal Stimulus information School Districts Will Benefit from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (Updated 2.13.09) http://edlabor.house.gov/blog/2009/01/school-districts-will-benefit.shtml

New Jersey District-by-District data listing:

http://edlabor.house.gov/documents/111/pdf/publications/NEWJERSEY-20090213-HR1-LEAs.pdf

Click on More below for district data listing

11-25-08 Perspective piece criticizes recent Supreme Court Abbott decision

Tue, 25 Nov 2008 17:49:36 EST

The piece is written by former New Jersey State Senator and Education Committee member, Gordon MacInnes, who is a long-time supporter of children in the Abbott districts. According to the Star Ledger, "...MacInnes was the assistant commissioner for Abbott districts at the state Education Department from 2002 to 2007. He is a lecturer at the Woodrow Wilson School and a fellow at the Century Foundation, which will publish his book on Ab bott next month." Click on More to read - The Supreme Court's Abbott delusion Tuesday, November 25, 2008 BY GORDON MacINNES

9-24-08 Supreme Court hearing on constitutionality of School Funding Reform Act

Tue, 23 Sep 2008 12:11:31 EDT

The Supreme Court heard argument from the State Assistant Attorney General Robert Gilson yesterday on why the new school funding formula should be declared consitutional for all children in New Jersey. Gilson noted that moving forward the Abbott designation should no longer be mandated by the Court since enough appropriate state, local and federal program funding will reach Abbott districts based on their enrollment demographics' needs, reflected in the individual districts' adequacy budgets. David Sciarra, Esq., of the Education Law Center countered that the state has not provided evidence that the Abbott remediation is not needed in the future and thus the status quo should remain in effect for Abbotts until proven otherwise. The Court was uncomfortable with arguments that were diametrically opposed. The Court appeared to be prepared to counter with a "remand", a fact finding hearing that should clarify to the court the accuracy and support for the dueling arguments. The timing of the release of the court's decision on this case was not made known. Click on More here to see related articles on yesterday's Supreme Court hearing

SAVE THE DATE - OCT. 7TH

Wed, 27 Aug 2008 14:7:0 EDT

SAVE THE DATE Rutgers University Institute for Improving Student Achievement (RIISA)joins The Garden State Coalition of Schools and New Jersey Coalition for Special Education Funding Reform In Co-Sponsoring:

Promoting Excellence: Best Practice in Special Education & the Funding Frameworks to Support it

Featuring Bruce Baker, University of Kansas AND Robert Pasternack, former Director of Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS)

NJ League of Municipalities & NJ Dept of Education Education Forum Invitation

Wed, 27 Aug 2008 14:6:24 EDT

September 19 Middlesex County Community College - �THE NEW EDUCATION ORDER: SCHOOL CONSOLIDATION, CONSTRUCTION, FUNDING AND PRESCHOOL EXPANSION�

6-4-08 Education Week Releases 'Diplomas Count' report & data

Wed, 4 Jun 2008 15:47:29 EDT

EDUCATION WEEK �DIPLOMAS COUNT� DATA http://www.edweek.org/ew/toc/2008/06/05/index.html Dear Educator/GSCS - It�s here! The Diplomas Count 2008: School to College has arrived. This third annual report, with support from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, is now available online at edweek.org. During our edweek.org Open House, you can access the whole report for FREE! The report explores the rapid growth of state-level P-16 councils and how they seek to create a more seamless schooling continuum that prepares students from preschool through college and beyond for life, work, and further education....be sure to check out our other benchmark reports, Quality Counts and Technology Counts.For full reports and data click here on

Estimated 2008-2009 State Aid by County & District

Mon, 21 May 2012 17:38:0 EDT

Annual School Budget Election Results by County Percentage of Budgets Approved, 1994-2007

Wed, 30 Apr 2008 11:54:21 EDT

Information courtesy of NJ School Boards Association; source date from the Department of Education. For details, click on more here.

Compares Total Per Pupil State Aid (minus adjustments) under new formula - '06'07 to '08'09

Fri, 25 Jan 2008 14:3:12 EST

11-20-07 RELEASE OF NEW SCHOOL FUNDING FORMULA LIKELY TO BE DELAYED UNTIL AFTER THE THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY

Wed, 21 Nov 2007 9:48:51 EST

...GSCS is hearing that there are a few more 'final touches' required...we will keep you posted...It is, however, very important that the formula - and its important details - such as how local districts will be impacted in terms of state support aid & corresponding required local tax efforts - be laid out very soon so that an open and well-informed legislative & public debate can ensue in a timely fashion for 2008-2009 school budgets' preparation.

11-13-07 Speaker Roberts & Assembly Democrats Affordable Housing Proposal

Tue, 13 Nov 2007 15:40:57 EST

Click on

GSCS School Funding Paper 'Funding NJ's Schools...Finding a Workable Solution' distributed 10-22-07 at Press Conf in Trenton

Thu, 25 Oct 2007 7:12:51 EDT

UPDATED - Possible Spec. Educ. Aid Loss to districts (based on current aid per current, yet outdated by 6 years, CEIFA distribution) if state chooses to 'wealth-equalize' this aid in a future formula

Thu, 25 Oct 2007 7:11:29 EDT

10-23-07 NJSBA write up on GSCS Press Conf. re 'Funding NJ Schools...Finding a Workable Solution'

Thu, 25 Oct 2007 7:8:34 EDT

On NJSBA website 10-23-07: School Funding: Finally Heating Up?

"...On Monday, the Garden State Coalition of Schools, the members of which include superintendents, board members and parents in approximately 140 districts, held a news conference to ask the Legislature to establish a new school funding formula for 2008-2009. As Scotch Plains-Fanwood board member Linda Nelson [& GSCS Vice President/GSCS Executive Board of Trustees] stressed at the event, it�s been seven long years without a new formula, and local school districts - through the use of property taxes - have had to fill in the gaps to maintain existing programs..."

GSCS School Funding Paper distributed 10-22-07 at Press Conf in Trenton

Tue, 23 Oct 2007 11:40:19 EDT

10-23 Media reports & Trenton responses to date re GSCS Press Conf

Tue, 23 Oct 2007 11:38:51 EDT

...This FYI also includes related articles about Exec. County Supt. appointments...

Spec. Educ. Aid Loss to districts (based on current aid per current, yet outdated by 6 years, CEIFA distribution) if state chooses to 'wealth-equalize' this aid in a future formula

Sun, 14 Oct 2007 21:44:46 EDT

9-20-07 New Jersey School Boards Assoc. Releases its Report on Special Education

Thu, 20 Sep 2007 15:41:19 EDT

LIVE FROM THE STAR LEDGER: 'Report: Schools need major money for special education' "New Jersey school districts need a massive infusion of additional state aid and state-funded teacher training to keep up with the growing cost of special educational services for students with autism or other learning disabilities, a new report released this morning shows..."

For the full NJSBA report: http://njsba.org/specialeducation/

Background Paper: Public School Funding in Massachusetts 7-07

Fri, 10 Aug 2007 16:20:11 EDT

Public School Funding in Massachusetts: Where We Are, What Has Changed, and Options Ahead http://www.massbudget.org/article.php?id=537

Summary: The Fiscal Year 2007 budget makes major changes to how Chapter 70 education aid is calculated. To put the changes into context, the report provides national data to describe how education funding in Massachusetts compares with other states. In particular, the report notes that Massachusetts relied more heavily than all but six states on local governments to generate revenue for public primary and secondary education FY 2004, the most recent year for which such data are available on a fifty-state basis. While local governments across the U.S. provided an average of 43.9% of revenue for public primary and secondary education in FY04, local governments in Massachusetts provided 53.6%.

7-31-07 EMAILNET Status of School Funding Formula, more

Thu, 9 Aug 2007 9:35:8 EDT

Tax Foundation 'Background Paper' Appropriation by Litigation

Tue, 7 Aug 2007 17:34:41 EDT

Copy-paste link below (Or click on MORE below for hyperlink) to read interesting artiles on "Estimating the Cost of Judicial Mandates for State and Local Education Spending" http://www.taxfoundation.org/files/bp55.pdf

8-7-07 'State rebuilds school construction program'

Tue, 7 Aug 2007 17:11:37 EDT

STAR LEDGER - 'Legislation tears down scandal-rocked SCC, creates a new agency to manage spending' Seeking a fresh start for New Jersey's effort to rebuild hundreds of decrepit public schools in the state's poorest communities, Gov. Jon Corzine yesterday signed legislation that formally abolishes the scandal-plagued Schools Construction Corp.

7-26-07 Council on Local Mandates reverses DOE spec ed regulation

Tue, 31 Jul 2007 11:36:52 EDT

IN THE MATTER OF COMPLAINTS FILED BY THE SPECIAL SERVICES SCHOOL DISTRICTS OF

BURLINGTON, ATLANTIC, CAPE MAY, AND BERGEN COUNTIES

Council on Local Mandates

...(�Claimants�) filed Complaints with the Council contending that a Department of Education regulation, N.J.A.C. 6A:14-4.7(a)(2), violates the constitutional prohibition against new unfunded mandates, Article VIII, Section 2, paragraph 5 of the New Jersey Constitution, as codified in the Local Mandates Act (�LMA�). The challenged regulation reduces the maximum age span in elementary school special education classes from four years to three, which Claimants allege will require them to incur additional direct expense for new teachers, classrooms and supplies...

[17] As a result of the within decision, the claims raised in the six Complaints held by the Council in abeyance (see footnote 2 above) are rendered moot and are hereby dismissed, with no need for further proceedings pursuant to Rule 9 of the Council�s Rules of Procedure.

7-26-07 Education Law Center on school funding reform via is subgroup report

Thu, 26 Jul 2007 17:16:57 EDT

This report by ELC's 'Our Children Our Schools' group is a good summary of the current status of Trenton and school funding formula issues and questions. However, GSCS notes that the concluding statement that it is better to get it (a formula) right, rather than fast is too simple a statement that skims over the complexity of the issue. GSCS disagrees. Regular operating districts have not had the stability, funding, nor predictability of formula implementation since FY02. In order to actually get a formula in place, the legislature has to have a bill (proposed legislation)in hand before there can be any real viable and productive discussion on the Trenton's table. All that will indeed take time too before a final formula compromise is reached and effected. Delaying that debate in legislative form, especially post the 2008 elections, will likely put off any formula implementation for another couple of years. That would mean that NJ could be without a school funding formula for at least 8 years. The process needs to step up and it can be done.

Excel Spreadsheet on New DFG's based on 2000 census

Thu, 23 Jun 2005 13:44:22 EDT

STATEWIDE DATA and more: Charts, Reports

Mon, 24 Apr 2006 13:50:5 EDT

Includes cost driver anaylses; enrollment growth charts in regular and special education; tax rates and more

Important School Funding Data Reports

Tue, 18 Jan 2005 23:14:14 EST

5-21-07 In Connecticut '2 School Aid Plans Have a Similar Theme'

Tue, 22 May 2007 6:48:4 EDT

May 20, 2007 New York Times TAXES 2 School Aid Plans Have a Similar Theme

"...Legislative leaders say the total increase in state money would be used to narrow achievement gaps between the students in poor and well-off districts, yet cities would not see the same proportion of new money that they had seen in the past. However, since the overall increase is substantially higher than in past years, most city officials are not loudly complaining...

...That is because the political itch being scratched this year is not solely about achievement gaps, but relieving pressure on property taxes in the suburbs....

...The state�s education aid program began in the 1980s in response to a lawsuit over unequal school financing, and its formula has sent more money to poor districts than rich over the years. But Donald E. Williams Jr., the president pro tempore of the Senate, said the wealthy districts now deserve to get some relief..."

APRIL '07 MOODY's OUTLOOK ON SCHOOLS -NEGATIVE

Wed, 25 Apr 2007 14:19:47 EDT

Moody's Maintains Negative Outlook on New Jersey School Districts Property Tax Reform Is Expected to Impose Additional Financial Pressure on School Districts.......

Summary Opinion: Moody's believes that New Jersey school districts may experience further fiscal pressure due to a combination of fund balance restrictions and property tax limitations, despite the granting of certain exceptions. The New Jersey Tax Reform legislation signed into law by Governor Jon S. Corzine on April 3, 2007 imposes a 4% cap on property tax levy increases for all municipal governments, including county, local governments, fire districts and school districts. The impact of the tax levy limitation on school districts is especially onerous given an existing two percent cap on the undesignated portion of districts' fund balances, which has narrowed financial flexibility for a large number of districts.

An enhanced rating of Aa2 with stable outlook is currently available to all New Jersey school districts based on the school bond reserve fund established by Chapter 72 and is not expected to be affected by the Property Tax Reform legislation. The Aa2 rating reflects the program's highly liquid reserve (balance of $103.3 million at fiscal year-end 2006) for $8.1 billion in school-related debt currently outstanding. The reserve has not been tapped since its inception.

Moody's currently has ratings outstanding on 280 of the 616 school districts throughout the state. ��.. Conclusion: Moody's believes that the four percent cap on property tax increases for school districts limits the ability to raise revenues to meet increasing expenditures and, together with existing fund balance restrictions, will present challenges to school districts to balance their budgets going forward. Moody's will continue to monitor the impact of the of the property tax levy limitation to determine its full impact on the New Jersey school district sector.

3-26-07 Education Week 'Quality Counts 2006' on NJ School Policy

Mon, 26 Mar 2007 8:45:33 EDT

Overview of NJ's policies for school quality, highlight summary page re: Standards and Accountability, Efforts to improve teacher quality, School climate, Resource equity, Overall grade. NJ scores well overall but receives a C- for 'Resource Equity'. Click on More below here for details. Here's the link to the web page at Education Week ....http://www.edweek.org/media/ew/qc/2006/17shr.nj.h25.pdf

3-25-07 New York Times on NJ Comparative Spending Guide, more on Gov putting off signing A1, Tax Caps & Rebate bill

Sun, 25 Mar 2007 8:57:32 EDT

THE RECORD Corzine opts to delay signing property tax credit legislation -Friday, March 23, 2007// ....... NEW YORK TIMES - �Data Show Wide Differences in New Jersey School Spending� 3-24-07 {Link to the Guide inside}

The wide range in spending among the state�s 615 school districts is starkly laid out in the 2007 Comparative Spending Guide, which showed an average per-student increase of 3.1 percent over last year.//

�(There) is a big spread, and equity is something that needs to be addressed in the anticipated new school funding formula,� said Lynne Strickland, executive director of the Garden State Coalition of Schools, which represents 150 suburban school districts..."

2-27-07 Department of Education Power Point on State Aid for FY07-08 compared to FY 06-07

Tue, 27 Feb 2007 13:32:30 EST

2-14-07 GSCS letter to Gov Corzine & Commr of Education Davy - Request for State Aid FY0708

Wed, 14 Feb 2007 16:42:15 EST

EXCERPT "...We urge the administration not to drive property taxes even higher by allowing the state to enter a sixth straight year of static funding for schools in this regard; we urge the administration not to ignore one of the most basic responsibilities of our state government: that is, to bolster those public school children in need no matter where they live - middle income, and lower income and wealthier communities. To provide aid to disabled children, regardless of where they live, sends a positive two-fold message to New Jersey citizens: that, on the side of good governance, the Governor cares deeply about the public education of our neediest children, and two, that the Governor recognizes the rational role that state school aid plays in offsetting property tax increases tied to state-mandated programs..."

2-7-07 Department of Education Releases 2006 School Report Cards

Wed, 7 Feb 2007 12:54:0 EST

"...The New Jersey Department of Education today released the 2006 School Report Cards, which contain detailed statistical profiles of all public schools in the state. The annual reports enable members of the public to gauge their local schools� educational progress...." "...In addition to providing useful information on the school level, there are statewide trends that can be identified from the data in the report card. For instance, the 2005-2006 data indicate that:

There are 3,953 more students in New Jersey�s public schools than there were in the 2004-2005 school year, and 53,276 more students than there were five years ago. The number of classroom teachers grew from about 102,900 to 110,900 in that same five-year period..."

GSCS NOTE: The student enrollment growth has occurred in the same years the the school aid formula has not been funded. This lack of funding on the state's part, combined with an increase of more than 53K students at the same time, is a major driver in the increase of school property taxes in recent years..

The school report card is on the department�s Web site at http://education.state.nj.us/rc/.

2-7-07 School funding, school audits - need for new formula underscored

Wed, 7 Feb 2007 12:22:49 EST

2-4-07 SUNDAY 'Audits Bring New Calls to Revamp School Financing' NEW YORK TIMES - "NEW JERSEY legislators, educators and parents have renewed their calls for overhauling the state's school financing system after court-ordered audits found questionable spending and accounting practices in the poorest school districts"..."In large districts, there is a lot of room for things to get lost in the shuffle, and the audits made clear that is the case and things have to be tightened up in a large way..."

2-5-07 Davy Establishes DOE Office of Fiscal Accountability and Compliance, Appoints State Monitor for Paterson

In a move to increase the Department of Education�s capacity to provide better oversight of the expenditure of state education funds, Commissioner Lucille E. Davy today announced the consolidation of DOE�s compliance investigation and fiscal auditing units, creating a new Office of Fiscal Accountability and Compliance.

Scheduled for Monday 1-22-07& website to study on cost to local taxpayers when school funding formula ingored by state

Sun, 21 Jan 2007 11:59:24 EST

Scheduled � the Assembly Education Committee, 2 pm., Committee Room 16 in the Statehouse Annex: will hear testimony on the emerging school funding proposal & the Department of Education's 'Report on the Cost of Education' costing out study. GSCS and member districts will be there to note not only concerns but also the dire need to get a school funding formula in place for next year - the need is absolute, not only for quality education but also to alleviate property tax burdens across our state. School aid is meant to be a direct offset to curb property tax growth, yet the state has not funded its own past formula since 2001-2002. A new study by Dr. Ernest Reock, Jr., the "Estimated Financial Impact of [this] "Freeze" of State Aid on New Jersey School Districts, 2002-03 to 2005-06" underscores the impact on taxes, and education programs, as GSCS has been stating for a number of years. The lack of school aid has negatively impacted all of New Jersey's school communities & town, and is the biggest contributor to increased property taxes throughout New Jersey�. It is also important to note that municipalities have not received their share of increased state aid either in recent years. The Reock study can be found on line at the Institute on Education Law and Policy, Rutgers University-Newark website http://ielp.rutgers.edu

11-15-06 The Special Session Jt Committee Reports

Wed, 15 Nov 2006 15:56:48 EST

From the New Jersey Legislature website.....Look for GSCS comments on the proposals in the next few days.

11-11-06 'GSCS is working hard on the behalf of hundreds of school communities across the state'

Sat, 11 Nov 2006 9:14:30 EST

11-11-06 RE:School Funding, Governance, Property Tax Recommendations on schedule for mid-week Nov 14 or 15 GSCS is working hard to see that all communities are positively impacted by legislative reform efforts...details of the as yet publicly 'unvetted' plans are going to be very important...Details will require thoughtful analysis to assure funding stability, underscored by district flexibility to realistically provide for quality education for all children, no matter where they live.

11-10-06 NJ education chief vows urban support

Sat, 11 Nov 2006 8:27:41 EST

GSCS FYI - Note that Commissioner points out in this article that a funding formula may not be released until "the end of the month". This underscores the semantic used in the 11-11-06 Star Ledger article below that states a funding formula "outline" will be among recommendations made in this forthcoming week re Special Session Committees. Press of Atlantic City ATLANTIC CITY � ...She added, however, that urban district spending of as much as $18,000 per student is higher than what is spent in the state's wealthiest districts...�Taxpayers want accountability,� she said. �It's important to be sure the money is invested in ways that benefit children.�

"...Davy admitted that the state has not come up with a new funding formula. A legislative committee on public school funding has been holding hearings, and Gov. Jon S. Corzine has asked that a new formula be proposed by Nov. 15. A proposal may be delayed until the end of the month..."

11-6-06 The need for special education funding to stay as a 'categorical' aid based on each students disability is real

Tue, 7 Nov 2006 16:13:32 EST

Loss of categorical special education aid that is distributed to disabled students no matter where they live, via equalization by implementing wealth-based formula for special education, appears to be under the Administration's consideration in new funding formula: Consequences are real - In the name of property tax relief, hundreds of districts will be pushed to raise property taxes to meet reduced aid for special education programs and students. Read today's op-ed piece in the Asbury Park Press by Marlboro Schools superintendent David Abbott and Glen Ridge parent Julie Raskin's thoughtful write-up on why sustainded support of special education students and programs works best for all; read Press of Atlantic City's piece on 'NJ struggles to define adequate education' for schools.

See listing of possible reductions in current categorical special education aid for every district in the state in announcement lines just below this announcement.

Nov 2006 Special Aid loss to districts if aid were based on current ability-to-pay formula

Wed, 1 Nov 2006 15:14:35 EST

This statewide data listing was presented at the 11-1-06 GSCS Parent Press Conference at the Statehouse.

10-21-06 Education Data Study Released - how the news is being reported

Mon, 30 Oct 2006 12:44:3 EST

Study shows N.J. schools underfunded by $190M Saturday, October 21, 2006, The Record

..."We'd sure like to see how they are defining it," she [LynneStrickland, Exec.Director of Garden StateCoalition]said, expressing frustration at a lack of dialogue over the issues. "I would hope that we get a really open and viable discussion," she said. "These things must be aired in a public domain with enough credit given to the public to discuss it productively."

[NOTE: Strickland's comment on circuit breakers in the Record refers only to individuals under certain tax stresses, not to communities in general. The Record printed a clarification on this that was on p. A2 of its Sunday Oct. 22 edition."Clarification Sunday, October 22, 2006

An article Saturday about school costs misstated a potential approach supported by the Garden State Coalition of Schools. The "circuit breaker" concept the coalition supports is a limit on school taxes on one person's bill that could take into account their ability to pay..." ]

Star Ledger Mid-level districts short on funding, school study finds N.J. report: Hundreds feeling cash crunch

..."This is all about the bottom line, not the education or the kids." [Bonnie] Granatir said her community [Livingston] is comfortable with how much it spends. "When you look at how our children perform, they would see the money is well spent," she said. Staff writer Mark Mueller contributed to this report.

10-30-06 NY Times

Mon, 30 Oct 2006 11:42:8 EST

"In New Jersey, System to Help Poorest Schools Faces Criticism"

9-5-06 GSCS Testimony on cost saving meaures in Trenton

Tue, 5 Sep 2006 13:29:15 EDT

Joint Joint Legislative Committee on Public School Funding Reform 1:00 PM Committee Room 11, 4th Floor, State House Annex, Trenton, NJ

Chair: Senator John H. Adler - Chair: Assemblyman Herb Conaway Membership The (Joint committee on Public School Funding Reform)committee will hear invited testimony from representatives of various education organizations on cost cutting measures that could be instituted in public schools. GARDEN STATE COALITION OF SCHOOLS/GSCS

Some Abbott funding history see May 27 1998 - Education Week article on Abbott V court decision

Thu, 24 Aug 2006 10:36:27 EDT

It's time to get it straight: although Trenton often cites the cost of Abbott as being driven by spending in high wealth districts, that statement is misleading and has been for seven years. In fact, in Fiscal Year 2005, approximately $581M more funding over parity was awarded by the state to Abbott districts in 'supplemental aid'. Read thisEducation Week article to understand why 'supplemental aid', not parity funding, has been the ultimate cost driver of Abbott funding since 1999. "High Court in N.J. Ends Funding Suit" Education Week 5-27

"...In addition, they [the NJ Supreme Court] said they expected the city districts, because of their greater needs, to require an as-yet-undetermined amount of funding above the average in wealthy districts. But they concluded that the required spending level should not be set by the court, but instead be driven by specific needs identified by individual districts and demonstrated to the state..."

School Budget Elections 2006 Summary Data

Fri, 18 Aug 2006 8:59:1 EDT

6-12-06 EMAILNET - Extraordinary Special Education student aid; FY07 Budget 'crunch' is on; news clips

Mon, 12 Jun 2006 11:20:37 EDT

GSCS comments on legislature�s conversation re: addressing its failure to meet its legislated promise to fund extraordinary aid for special education students whose individual program annual costs exceed $40K.

Assembly Speaker Roberts proposes 'CORE' plan for schools & towns

Wed, 17 May 2006 8:53:16 EDT

The plan(pending formal introduction and referral) is scheduled for discussion at the Assembly Education Committee meeting on Monday May 15. The bill is not yet available in print and GSCS remains reserved about its position until in depth analysis is possible. ROBERTS UNVEILS 'CORE' REFORM PLAN [excerpt from Assm Dem office press release] Multi-Prong Package Would Remove Obstacles to Service Sharing, Tie Aid to Efficiency, Create 'Super' County School Superintendents, Consolidate School & Fire Elections

The legislative initiative is entitled the CORE Reform Plan - "C" for clearing hurdles to shared services, "O" for overriding waste in schools, "R" for reining in pension abuses, and "E" for empowering citizens.

GSCS Charts show pressure on school funding

Tue, 25 Apr 2006 8:6:20 EDT

Here are the GSCS CHARTS ON ENROLLMENT GROWTH AND COSTS OF SPECIAL EDUCATION AND HEALTH BENEFITS SINCE FORMULA AID HAS BEEN HELD FLAT. GSCS Charts show why flat state formula aid (going into the 5th year) pressures local communities to cover lack of school funding from the state.

FUNDING HISTORY- some articles

Mon, 24 Apr 2006 13:46:56 EDT

3-28-06 State Budget FY07 - GSCS testimony before Assembly Budget Comm

Tue, 28 Mar 2006 19:2:19 EST

On State Budget for Fiscal Year 2007

Funding Coalition submits paper 'Beginning Discussions on School Funding Reform'

Fri, 10 Mar 2006 15:53:47 EST

Resolving the school funding crisis will be a very daunting task. The educational community as represented by the Leadership for Excellence in Education Group (LEE) which includes the New Jersey School Boards Association (NJSBA), New Jersey Education Association (NJEA), New Jersey Principals and Supervisors Association (NJPSA), New Jersey Association of School Business Officials (NJASBO), New Jersey Association of School Administrators (NJASA), New Jersey State Parent Teachers Association (NJPTA), in cooperation with the Garden State Coalition of Schools (GSCS), and the Education Law Center (ELC) has developed this paper as a starting point for future discussions about the development of an equitable school funding formula that is fair to property taxpayers and provides sufficient resources to school districts. This paper will explain why a new funding formula is needed, suggest some principles for a fair and equitable formula, and recommend a process that might be used to develop a new school funding formula.

Governor Corzine takes steps towards major policy initiatives.

Tue, 11 Apr 2006 10:10:58 EDT

Governor's Statement on Abbott Funding, and Governor's Executive Order creating Government Efficiency & Reform Commission.

3-28-06 NY Times re Texas school finance case

Fri, 31 Mar 2006 8:18:0 EST

Another state, similar issues re property taxes and funding support for public education, different approaches, differenet results...still stymied. "Most local tax rates have reached that limit, and in November the state's Supreme Court ruled that the school financing system amounted to an illegal statewide property tax because districts no longer had discretion in setting their rates..."

3-24-06 EMAILNET FYI Update on Gov Corzine's Budget FY07

Fri, 31 Mar 2006 8:22:19 EST

Included: Commissioner Davy's letter to districts on state aid for the 2006-2007 school year and Department of Education narrative explanation of aid categories in the proposed State Budget FY07.

3-23-06 EMAILNET Corzine says some Abbotts can raise taxes

Fri, 24 Mar 2006 7:20:49 EST

3-24-06 Schools learn who wins, loses in Corzine budget

Fri, 24 Mar 2006 7:19:24 EST

Suburban districts have long complained that the state's funding ignored enrollment changes, and last year won some help in then-Gov. Richard Codey's budget. Advocates for those districts said they are pleased Corzine is going further in that direction even though some shrinking districts could take a hit. "Not that the day is over -- flat funding is really taking a toll on districts and only jacking up property taxes -- but it's encouraging that he's at least giving us a symbolic nod and paying attention," said Lynne Strickland, director of the Garden State Coalition of Schools, a group of more than 100 suburban districts.

2-10-06 Star Ledger editorial re void of credible & useful data at Department of Education

Sat, 11 Feb 2006 9:35:47 EST

"As basic as a blackboard" For a number of years GSCS has called for the state to upgrade, update and use student performance and district data in order to make informed choices and implement effective policy decisions. This editorial speaks to the same issue.

Dept Ed Directive 7-6-05: School Construction Sec 15 Grant Funding for more than 450 districts questionable

Mon, 21 May 2012 17:38:0 EDT

EMAILNET 2-1-06 GSCS Advocacy FY07 Budget; On the Homepage Today

Thu, 2 Feb 2006 10:56:47 EST

2003 GSCS letter to legislators

Tue, 31 Jan 2006 7:25:45 EST

On larger funding issues for proposed State Budget 2003-2004...calls for full funding of extraordinary aid - a GSCS goal that was realized that year.

1-26-06 New York Times article re public schools fundraising for private support

Sun, 29 Jan 2006 18:2:48 EST

"In Public Schools, the Name Game as a Donor Lure" e.g.,"...Newburyport, a charming New England seaport with a lively tourist trade, does not look like a town where the schools would be pressed for money. But looks can be deceiving: School officials say their budget is so tight that, even after imposing an array of parent-paid fees for activities and transportation, Newburyport has had to cut elementary school foreign language and middle school theater classes and assign one principal to cover two of the district's three elementary schools..."

1-25-06 Star Ledger 'School District's Woes Point to Rising Tax Resistance'

Thu, 26 Jan 2006 9:51:19 EST

Highlighting what education officials say is a growing tension between New Jersey's rising school costs and the property taxes that pay for them, a South Jersey school district's failed attempt to raise property taxes to plug a huge budget gap could prompt widespread layoffs... ..."These kind of things are really exacerbated in the condition we are under with school funding," said Lynne Strickland, executive director of the Garden State Coalition of Schools. "Property taxpayers are overwhelmed, while state [CEIFA formula] aid has not been increased for five years."

GSCS Testimony 2003 on Suggestions for School Funding - issues similar to 2005-6

Fri, 20 Jan 2006 13:35:6 EST

As described by legislative hearing notice, concepts presented were to address different alternatives & suggestions for how to fund schools via formula.

1-19-06 EMAILNET Quick Facts, On the Homepage Today

Thu, 19 Jan 2006 12:4:38 EST

EMAILNET 1-5-06 quick facts & State Board school funding Legal Committee decision

Thu, 5 Jan 2006 17:43:59 EST

Philadelphia Inquirer 6-16-05 Commissioner Librera Release Abbott Designation Report

Mon, 21 May 2012 17:38:0 EDT

December 2005 Harvard Famiily Research Project Links

Thu, 15 Dec 2005 10:43:10 EST

Provides new research information and resources for children based on "complemenatary learning" to help close the achievement gap.

Education Week article May 1998 Re Abbott Ruling 'High Court Ends School Funding Issues May 1998

Sat, 10 Dec 2005 9:47:49 EST

Education Week Article about Abbott v. Burke decision by Carolyn Hendrie

Standard & Poors Release Achievement Gap Study 8-23-05

Tue, 23 Aug 2005 17:36:14 EDT

10-5-05 PRESS BRIEFING ON SCHOOL AID & FUNDING SPONSORED by Ad Hoc School Finance Discussion Group, GSCS is participant...10-6-05 ASbury Park Press (Gannett) & Press of Atlantic City articles

Fri, 14 Oct 2005 11:52:19 EDT

Neither Corzine nor Forrester say much about schools funding BY JONATHAN TAMARI GANNETT STATE BUREAU Posted by the Asbury Park Press on 10/6/05 [GSCS participated in press briefing noted in this Gannett article; the briefing was presented by the Ad Hoc School Finance Discussion Group, chaired by Mr. Ernest Reock.]

TRENTON � With skyrocketing property taxes ranking as the top election issue in many voters' minds, both candidates for governor have touted their plans to address a symptom of the problem � the annual bills � but neither has said much about changing one of the main causes of high taxes: funding for public schools.

Voters support spending for college construction, poll shows By DIANE D'AMICO Education Writer, (609) 272-7241 Published: Thursday, October 6, 2005

Press of A.C.TRENTON-A majority of voters would support a $2.5 billion bond to fund construction at public colleges, but they might put building more elementary and high schools first.

Statehouse Press Briefing October 5, 2005 Notes & Handouts - Update on NJ School Finance

Mon, 17 Oct 2005 11:34:48 EDT

Press briefing presented by Ad Hoc School Finance Discussion Group, Reock.

Debt Service v State Share 0 to 40 Districts Before and After S200

Wed, 5 Oct 2005 7:48:32 EDT

How State Figures Sending Districts' Per Pupil Cost

Tue, 18 Jan 2005 22:53:14 EST

GSCS School Funding and S1701 Power Point - February 2005

Sun, 23 May 2010 7:58:23 EDT

Updated 2-25-05

DOE Announces NCLB-Designated Districts In Need of Improvement

Mon, 21 May 2012 17:38:0 EDT

Rutgers-Eagleton Insitute analysis of property taxes-education funding issues

Mon, 21 May 2012 17:38:0 EDT

Designation of Abbott Districts Criteria and Process

Mon, 21 May 2012 17:38:0 EDT

NJ Department of Education District Factor Groups (DFG) for School Districts

Mon, 21 May 2012 17:38:0 EDT

Standard & Poors National and State and School Data and Analyses

Fri, 15 Jul 2005 7:46:52 EDT

To see how Standard & Poors assesses the performance of New Jersey schools and school districts, visit http://recp.rm05.net/ctt?kn=1&m=82150&r=NjI4NDUwNTE1S0&b=2&j=MzY0NjkzMDES1

Standard & Poors Releases Achievement Gap Study 8-23-05

Tue, 23 Aug 2005 17:42:4 EDT