NJ Spotlight published the following article on July 2, 2014. To read the full article, click here.
Legislature Gets Grade of ‘Incomplete’ on Unresolved Charter-School Issues
John Mooney | July 2, 2014
Despite the political clamor over the issue, the Legislature ended its budget deliberations this week without resolving the debate over charter schools – which were dealt a few surprising setbacks.
In a move that surprised some, Gov. Chris Christie vetoed an extra $3 million in aid to charter schools proposed by Democratic lawmakers. The funding was meant to help address what charter school advocates have called inequitable funding.
In addition, there was no new movement on a new bill that would dictate how charter schools are approved and monitored.And what has been a pet issue for charter school organizers — easing the state’s requirement that new teachers live in New Jersey – has also stalled.
Most notable was the fate of the funding proposal. Charter schools are funded through local districts at a rate equal to 90 percent of the district’s per-pupil costs.