NJ Education Report

CEF gives NJ charter school laws a “C,” in large part because of the lack of strong authorizers and the lack of funding equity between traditional schools and charters. Executive summary here and full report here. Also “noteworthy”:

Founders of the Princeton International Charter School [PIACS], approved by the Commissioner in 2010 have had to file suit in three school districts which have worked to prevent the school from opening by diverting money, refusing to give zoning approval for their chosen school building, and misrepresentation of the school and its intent. This is not an uncommon story in the Garden State. Many charters are approved but never open because of district opposition and the state, as authorizer, does not step in to advocate for its schools as strong authorizers do.

Here’s an update on the woes of PIACS, specifically that the South Brunswick Zoning Board of Adjustment just denied a zoning variance by one vote after intense lobbying by PIACS foes.