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See GSCS PARENT AND COMMUNITY ACTION PACKET on the need for the state to fulfill its stated commitment to bring forth a new school funding formula that can improve the educational and financial well-being for schools and communities throughout New Jersey. Included in the packet is an explanation about the 'why' a new formula is needed, as well as a sample letter-to-the-editor (for local and statewide newspapers), and a letter to legislators/and legislative candidates. FOR YOUR CONVENIENCE, AT THE LINK ON THE SIDEBAR "FIND YOUR LEGISLATOR" THERE IS A LISTING OF LEGISLATIVE CANDIDATES, INCUMBENTS AND NON-INCUMBENTS, THAT ARE RUNNING FOR OFFICE THIS NOVEMBER. Remember - all elected offices are open this fall in both the state Senate and Assembly. Those seeking election need to hear your concerns and to respond those concerns during their campaigns. Tell GSCS of your feedback and we will track the responses. Take advantage of this opportunity to be heard. YOUR VOICES ARE NEEDED!
GARDEN STATE COALITION OF SCHOOLS/GSCS
EMAILNET 7-10-07
School funding – Parent & Community Advocacy Action Packet
Contact Lists - Legislator & Candidate for November ’07 elections
GSCS Quick Fact: Next Board of Trustees Meeting July 11, 2007 at 9:30 at the East Brunswick Board of Education. Please RSVP gscs2000@gmail.com with your attendance plans. (Members are always welcome to attend GSCS Board of Trustee meetings. New Trustee districts should attend this meeting if possible.). The School Funding Work Group Committee will meet immediately follow the board meeting.
On the GSCS homepage today, for details, go to www.gscschools.org
UPDATED - GSCS Membership Questions, FAQ's etc., see 'Board Information' sidebar left
UPCOMING EVENTS
GSCS Board of Trustees meeting Wed., 7-11-07, 9:30 E. Brunswick....GSCS School Funding Work Group Committee meeting immediately following Board of Trustees meeting...Department of Education Stakeholders [re funding formula] meeting July 19,on early childhood education, at 2:30, 1st floor conference room - email gscs2000@gmail.com if you are interested in attending...
GSCS ADVOCACY PACKET - NEED FOR NEW SCHOOL FUNDING FORMULA NOW
Click on More below to see GSCS PARENT AND COMMUNITY ACTION PACKET on the need for the state to fulfill its stated commitment to bring forth a new school funding formula that can improve the educational and financial well-being for schools and communities throughout New Jersey. Included in the packet is an explanation about the 'why' a new formula is needed, as well as a sample letter-to-the-editor (for local and statewide newspapers), and a letter to legislators/and legislative candidates. FOR YOUR CONVENIENCE, AT THE LINK ON THE SIDEBAR "FIND YOUR LEGISLATOR" THERE IS A LISTING OF LEGISLATIVE CANDIDATES, INCUMBENTS AND NON-INCUMBENTS, THAT ARE RUNNING FOR OFFICE THIS NOVEMBER. Remember - all elected offices are open this fall in both the state Senate and Assembly. Those seeking election need to hear your concerns and to respond those concerns during their campaigns. Tell GSCS of your feedback and we will track the responses. Take advantage of this opportunity to be heard. YOUR VOICES ARE NEEDED!
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ANOTHER BIG CAMPAIGN ISSUE - A NEW SCHOOL FUNDING FORMULA
By David Rebovich - July 5, 2007 on Politicsnj.com 9:26am "...Governor Jon Corzine sees the practice (asset monetization) as a way to rescue state government...However, no matter what happens with asset monetization, there's another big issue that lawmakers may also not deal with until addressing until after the election, and citizens should be concerned about this as well. That issue is a new school funding formula..."
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'Meaning of lower taxes debated' and 'Jersey can close acheivement gap' op-ed
1 Jersey can close the school achievement gap Monday, July 09, 2007 Op-Ed Star Ledger BY Gordon MacInnes "New Jerseyans have many reasons to fear the new ultra-conservative majority on the U.S. Supreme Court, but its decision in the Louisville and Seattle school desegrega tion case is not one of them..."
Star Ledger Sunday, July 08, 2007 - 'Meaning of lower taxes is debated... Either a sea change or Dems' shell game' …
2 "New Jersey's tax-raising binge may be over. "...Gov. Jon Corzine's $33.5 billion spending plan, which took effect last week, sliced taxes $331 million by cutting how much corporations and poorer residents pay...In Corzine's first year, New Jersey's tax burden rose by $1.6 billion because he raised the sales tax. That budget gave the state the unwanted distinction of leading the nation in per capita taxes for a five-year stretch, according to surveys by the National Governor's Association and the National Association of State Budget Officers. During that period -- all under Democratic control -- New Jersey's state taxes rose by an average of $1.2 billion a year. This year, however, the survey found only two other states -- Ohio and New York -- sought to reduce taxes more than New Jersey..."
'State sued on special ed student separation'
Thursday, June 28, 2007 Star-Ledger "A coalition of advocacy groups has filed a federal lawsuit against the state that contends thousands of special education students are being wrongfully educated in segregated classes, bringing to court a long-running sore point for New Jersey...The groups say in the 40-page complaint filed in federal District Court in Newark that New Jersey's policies and funding allow, if not encourage, districts to serve a majority of their disabled students in separate classes and schools..."
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