Writing a blog once or twice a week can sometimes become a bit draining.  It’s not easy to come up with fresh material, but then again when the NJ Legislature — and specifically when the Assembly Education Committee –is in session I can come out with more material than I know what to do with.  Such was the case at the last Assembly Education Committee Meeting.  I have enough material for two blog articles. (more…)

This was Governor Jon Corzine’s prescription to bring New Jersey back to good fiscal health. His budget address for 2008-2009, delivered on Tuesday in somber, matter-of-fact tones to a packed Assembly Chamber in the State House received an austere response – not one interruption from the legislative audience: the non-clapping was deafening. (more…)

This past week we celebrated President’s Day and honored our past political leaders by getting a 20% discount off a new living room couch and 0% financing on a new car.  It seems a bit odd, but then again it is hard to find a holiday in the United States that we do not in some way turn into a retail event.  I find it amusing that even when former presidents are mentioned in advertisements, their legacy is summed up in a single sentence.  For example, I recently heard an auto dealer’s commercial that in 45 seconds tied together FDR’s ”We having nothing to fear but fear itself,” George Washington’s “I cannot tell a lie,” Richard Nixon’s “Let me be perfectly clear” and Bill Clinton mentioning “hot interns” with President George W. Bush misspeaking.  (more…)

A recent report by the National Center for Education Statistics, an arm of U.S. Department of Education, shows that New Jersey ranks 38^th among the states and the District of Columbia in the percentage of current expenditures devoted to administration (9.9%).  The remaining 13 states spend either the same or less on administration.

Not only does New Jersey spend below the nationwide average of 11% on school and district administration, but it also spends less on administration than do nearly three-quarters of the states.  And at 9.9%, New Jersey fares well when compared to nearby jurisdictions: Connecticut – 9.9%; Delaware – 13.6%; Maryland – 10.1%; New York – 8.9%; Pennsylvania – 10.9%.

So why do N.J. lawmakers continue to bring up “excessive” administrative costs when they advocate school district consolidation?

(more…)

Every year at this time, I go through the same agitation: What surprise will the governor deliver with his budget address?  This year, the governor’s budget message is scheduled for February 26, and there are two logical reasons why I shouldn’t be worried: First, the new school funding formula adopted in early January came with district-by-district school aid profiles for 2008-2009. Second, Governor Corzine doesn’t seem to be big on surprise announcements.  He lets you know that something is on its way well in advance, whether it’s a new funding formula, or financial restructuring.

The details can be slow in coming, however, (more…)

Since I work for NJSBA, I sometimes tend to think that the legislators and the state government in general are out to blame boards of education for anything that might be wrong with schools.  But I chalk up that attitude to being too focused on New Jersey education issues and, maybe, to some paranoia on my part.  Getting the chance to attend a national education conference and hearing the noted education policy analyst Diane Ravitch speak on the trends of national education issues, I am reminded of the saying “Just because you are paranoid does not mean that they aren’t out to get you”.  Ms. Ravitch not only laid out the attacks on public schools and, specifically, boards of education but later rolled out a strong defense of local school boards.  (more…)

I wonder how many board members understand the connection between school aid and the Governor’s proposed toll hike package.  For those of you who haven’t yet attended one of his town meetings on the subject – perhaps you should! (more…)

Last year, at the same time that a plan to establish a separate $10 million presidential primary moved easily through the legislative process with bipartisan support, the Legislature’s special session was busy at work trying to merge the far less costly board member – and fire commissioner – elections with the November General Election, all in the name of cost efficiency.

I admit it: I like to vote. (more…)

I am waiting for tabloid newspaper to break a story that during surgery after his near-fatal car crash, Governor Corzine received a blood transfusion from Brendan Byrne, Bill Clinton or possibly a brain transplant from the legendary Speaker of the House Tip O’Neill.  How else can you explain his political ability and acumen improving so much since that accident? (more…)