NJ Education Report

NJEA has a new lobbying arm called “Garden State Forward,” which is intended as a pro-Barbara Buono, anti-Chris Christie group. (Tip off: the new arm’s address is the same as NJEA’s. Hat tip:  Planet Princeton.)

The Record paints the picture at the admissions lottery to Bergen Arts and Science Charter School, which serves Garfield, Hackensack, and Lodi.  There were 247 applicants for 80 open slots, and 46 of those were already taken by siblings.

Look out, NJEA and NJSBA: New Jersey charters now have their own Atlantic City convention. This week 850 charter school educators and board members had their 5th annual conference, the biggest one yet.  Keynote speaker was Sen. Teresa Ruiz. (NJ Spotlight)

NJ Spotlight covers the community meeting in Camden this past Monday, where 200 residents gathered to hear Ed. Comm. Chris Cerf and Camden Mayor Dana Redd answer questions about the state takeover. From the piece:

A parent said basic supplies aren’t provided and a few teachers said much the same about their own classrooms, too. 

This was in a district where parents were among those who first brought the Abbott v. Burke school-equity case 30 years ago – a landmark case that brought hundreds of millions of dollars more in funding to the district as a whole but has had a less-visible impact in individual classrooms.  

Even an officer of the district’s teachers union wasn’t so much against the state’s intervention as much as pleading that teachers and residents be given a real say in the process.

Also see coverage from the Courier Post, which quotes a Camden teacher who “said the problems stem from the lack of consistency in curriculum.”

“We’ve had five different reading programs this year,” she said. “Once we get the kids started with something, all the sudden we have to switch gears.”

Forty-one school districts  retain April elections for budgets and board members (out of 591). Those elections were held this past Tuesday. Here’s an update from New Jersey School Boards Association. Coverage here from NJ Spotlight.

NJSBA testified at the final hearing of the NJ Anti-Bullying Task Force, and raised various concerns with implementation of the law, including costs: “”Bullying allegations are increasing and the number of cases to be rated could potentially cause concerns,” NJSBA said. “The question of a financial burden to districts still needs to be considered. At this time last year, NJSBA testified that, even though the state provided an additional $1 million, surveys showed that it actually cost [respondents] over $2 million to cover the administrative process.”

NJSBA is hosting a free Academy Program on Leadership and Governance for board members and school administrators at Perth Amboy High School on April 29th at 6. Register here.

Gov. Christie signed a law that forbids schools from tracking students through school-issued laptops. (Press of Atlantic City.)

West Windsor-Plainsboro Superintendent  Victoria Kniewel has announced her retirement. Here’s why: “she will be earning almost $60,000 more a year when she starts a new job as superintendent of the Edgemont Union Free School District in Scarsdale, NY., in July.” (Central Jersey)  West Windsor had been paying her $192K, but that’s above the state salary limits, which will cap her salary at $175K when her contract expires in June. Scarsdale will pay here $250K.