CRYAN:  COURT RULING UPHOLDING PAYOUT LIMITS FOR SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS A WIN FOR TAXPAYERS

(TRENTON) - Assemblyman Joseph Cryan today called a ruling by a New Jersey appeals court upholding state Department of Education Commissioner Lucille Davy's ability to limit sick and vacation time payouts for departing school administrators "a win for the taxpayers of the State of New Jersey."

Cryan is the sponsor of legislation (A-2975) that would prohibit school superintendents, assistant superintendents and school business administrations who leave their jobs - whether by retirement or other means - from earning any payment except for legally allowable buy-backs of unused sick leave and vacation time.

RUIZ/COUTINHO/SPENCER: CHRISTIE'S REFUSAL OF $2 BILLION IN EDUCATION FUNDS WOULD SHATTER STATE’S EDUCATON SYSTEM, WORKFORCE & ECONOMY

(NEWARK) – Senator Teresa Ruiz, Assemblyman Albert Coutinho and Assemblywoman Grace Spencer today decried Bush Republican gubernatorial candidate Chris Christie for his rejection of billions of dollars from President Barack Obama’s American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to assist the State in its recovery from the current global economic crisis.

FREEHOLDER WAY:  CHRISTIE’S REFUSAL OF CRITICAL EDUCATION DOLLARS WOULD CRIPPLE STATE’S EDUCATION SYSTEM & ECONOMY

(WAYNE TOWNSHIP) – In response to Chris Christie’s latest attempt to mislead voters on his position on education, Passaic Freeholder Tahesha Way today said that Bush Republican Gubernatorial Candidate Chris Christie’s refusal of $2 billion in federal funding for the state’s education system would not only hurt New Jersey’s quality public education system but would also have devastating long term impacts on the state’s work force and economy. 

A leading internet education advocate, Menendez recently proposed new initiative to support effective internet education programs

Governor Corzine signed legislation to eliminate non-operating school districts and merge them into existing ones. 

Non-operating districts are typically those with a small number of students, that do not operate schools. As a result, students are sent to another district via a send-receive relationship. The non-operating district is charged tuition for the students it sends to the receiving district. Non-operating districts have school board to assemble the budget for the district. There are 26 non-operating districts throughout New Jersey. 13 of them will be eliminated under Phase I this Fall. Click on the play button to watch the video.

With the recent $600 Million payback into the State Treasury under the State Amnesty Plan, New Jersey State Government has a chance to enact a targeted Tax Cut that would benefit hard-pressed taxpayers with school-age children.     Republican District 37 Assembly Candidates Wojciech Siemaszkiewicz and Barry Bellin propose a series of Education Tax Credits to help parents pay for the children’s education.  We would take $200 Million of the aforementioned $600 Million and use it to help restore rebates for all New Jersey taxpayers.  Next, we would take the remaining $400 Million and put it into an interest-bearing dedicated fund. 

SCHAER/LAMPITT/COUTINHO BILL TO TEACH KIDS
FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY HEADS TO GOVERNOR'S DESK
Legislation Would Create Pilot Program To Educate High Schoolers

(TRENTON) - The Senate today passed legislation Assembly members Gary S. Schaer, Pamela R. Lampitt, and Albert Coutinho sponsored to initiate a pilot program to educate high school students on personal finance management so they can avoid irresponsible spending habits that lead to excessive personal debt and bankruptcy, sending the measure to Gov. Jon Corzine's desk for his signature into law.

LESNIAK AND JASEY INTRODUCE BILL TO ALLOW PRIVATE SCHOOLS TO CONVERT TO PUBLIC CHARTERS

TRENTON – Senator Raymond J. Lesniak and Assemblywoman Mila M. Jasey today introduced legislation which would allow private and parochial schools to convert to public charter schools, in an effort to stave off the closure epidemic facing many private schools around New Jersey, and give students, particularly in urban areas, more options for their public education.

“These private schools – mostly faith-based – are the heart and soul of many neighborhoods in our cities,” said Senator Lesniak, D-Union. “I have too often seen the pained look on the faces of children and parents when they are forced to close. Allowing them to seamlessly convert to charter schools will keep the community intact and avoid unnecessary disruption of students’ education.”

“It is clear to me that the status quo is not working for all children,” said Assemblywoman Jasey, D-Essex. “I want to explore every opportunity to provide equity and access to a world-class education for all students, no matter where they live and no matter what their circumstance.”

***MULTIMEDIA PACKAGE***

WEEKLY BUDGET MESSAGE:  WATSON COLEMAN ON PRESERVING PRE-K THROUGH 12 EDUCATION

(TRENTON) - Assembly Majority Leader Bonnie Watson Coleman today issued a multimedia package highlighting the efforts made in Governor Jon S. Corzine's proposed budget to preserve funding for the state's world-class pre-K through 12th grade education system.

Watson Coleman (D-Mercer) issued the package as the Assembly Budget Committee took testimony from the state Department of Education.

Republican Senate Leader Tom Kean announced today that Deputy Republican Conference Leader Christopher "Kip" Bateman will take a new seat that has been created on the Senate Judiciary Committee.