NJSBA

P.O. Box 909 ● Trenton, NJ 08605-0909 ● Phone: 609.695.7600 ● Fax: 609.695.0413 ● Web: www.njsba.org/PI

 

NEWS RELEASE

 

CONTACT:        Frank Belluscio (fbelluscio@njsba.org)                                                     FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
                        Mike Yaple (myaple@njsba.org)
                        (609) 278-5202

NJSBA Forum to Explore School Funding

Plainsboro, May 2, 2007 - "The Forces that Will Shape School Funding" is the title of a forum that the New Jersey School Boards Association will sponsor on Saturday, May 19 in Plainsboro.

Everyone has heard about the severe fiscal problems facing New Jersey—dramatic shortfalls in pension funding, lagging economic growth, and the resulting impact on the state income, sales and business taxes. As New Jersey begins to construct a new school funding system, these factors will determine how much the state could afford to spend on public education. Demographic and political changes will also play a strong role in the drama.

The May 19 forum is designed to help school board members understand the potential impact of these forces on education funding.

“It’s important to understand the context in which decisions are being made and the key factors that will influence our lawmakers and board members as we move forward,” said Michael Vrancik, NJSBA’s director of governmental relations.

Expert Panel To provide that context, NJSBA has drawn together a panel of experts from higher education and advocacy organizations:

  • James W. Hughes, dean, Rutgers University’s Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy
  • David Rebovich, associate professor of political science, Rider University
  • Daniel Santo Pietro, executive director, Hispanic Directors Association of New Jersey

Significant Change In addition, the session will explore other significant changes occurring in New Jersey:

  • A dramatic shift in the Legislature after the November 2007 election due to lawmaker retirements.
  • The sharp increase in the enrollment of students whose first language is not English—a factor in districts’ efforts to meet No Child Left Behind Act benchmarks.

Registration Information The May 19 program will take place at the Lakeside Conference Center in Plainsboro, following NJSBA’s Delegate Assembly. The forum will begin with a networking luncheon, from 11:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. The panel discussion, will take place form 1 to 3 p.m.

Media coverage is encouraged. Members of the press should contact Frank Belluscio or Mike Yaple at NJSBA’s Communications Department at (609) 278-5202.

School officials who want to register or need more information should contact Heidi Bullock at (888) 886-5722 ext. 5217, or hbullock@njsba.org.

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The New Jersey School Boards Association, a federation of district boards of education, advocates the interests of school districts, trains local school board members, and provides resources for the advancement of public education.