Governor Replaces Schools Construction Corp.

Governor Replaces Schools Construction Corp.

Gov. Jon S. Corzine on Monday signed legislation dissolving the New Jersey Schools Construction Corporation and replacing it with the New Jersey Schools Development Authority (SDA).

The SDA will focus solely on overseeing school construction in Abbott districts, while the existing state Economic Development Authority will be responsible for school-construction financing.

The legislation also changes land acquisition policies and procedures, and it creates a process to prioritize projects in the Abbott districts. It also provides greater authority to allow Abbotts to manage their own projects.

Eye Exam Pilot Program

In other action, the governor last week signed a bill creating a pilot program to provide thorough eye examinations to second graders. The education commissioner will select three school districts to take part in the three-year program: One each in the north, central and southern parts of the state.

The legislation, A-3817, notes that “undiagnosed and untreated vision-related learning problems are significant contributors to early reading difficulties and often lead to special education classification.”

Web Predators

Worried about online dangers to children, Gov. Corzine announced that he wants to establish Internet safety training for school officials.

Gov. Corzine sent a letter on Aug. 1 to Attorney General Anne Milgram and Commissioner of Education Lucille E. Davy directing their agencies to strengthen existing Internet safety training for teachers and school administrators. Schools officials would inform students, parents and community groups about online dangers. The governor wants the program to be implemented by the start of the coming school year.