Charter School Protesters Gather Outside Christie Press Conference in Teaneck [VIDEO]
Protesters want Christie to hear concerns about proposed virtual charter school
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More than a dozen protesters of a proposed virtual charter school gathered Thursday morning outside the Teaneck Armory, where Gov. Chris Christie was holding a press conference.
Christie was on hand to discuss sick pay reform for public workers — an issue he also focused on at a town hall meeting Tuesday in West New York. The governor wants the Legislature to scrap payouts given to government employees for unused sick time.
Teaneck Mayor Mohammed Hameeduddin joined other mayors, along with County Executive Kathe Donovan, at Thursday's press conference to demand action on reforms that promise to provide taxpayer savings and give "mayors the tools they need to manage their budgets and hold down property taxes for New Jersey families," according to a statement released by Christie's office this morning.
But a group of protesters, holding signs against the proposed online school, were not there to talk about sick pay reform. The group, which included parents, Teaneck Board of Education Trustees Howard Rose, Gervonn Rice and Margot Fisher, and members of the Parent Teacher Organization, is fighting to prevent approval of the proposed Garden State Virtual Charter School that district officials have said could cost Teaneck $15.4 million. About 200 people also attended a rally against the school at Teaneck High School yesterday.
Hameeduddin said he shared concerns over the charter school with Christie.
"He listened attentively," Hameeduddin said when asked about the governor's response.
Specific laws for virtual charter schools should be developed, the mayor said.
"It's an ill-conceived idea the way the legislation is written," he said. "How can you call that responsible government."
“I don’t believe any charter school should be put in any district unless the voters get to vet it” the mayor said.
PTO Council member Louann Harbaugh called the potential cuts "devastating" on Thursday, and said she didn't understand why Christie was attacking public education.
"We'll lose everything," Harbough said. "It's all because Christie wants to open charter schools."
School officials have said the $15.4 million projected cost represented around 20 percent of the district's budget and would force painful cuts to programs and staff. Cuts could include the elimination of school trips and laying off at least 80 positions.
Rice, vice president of the Teaneck Board of Education, said she was concerned about the impact the potential cuts could have on extra-curricular activities. She stressed it was important for Teaneck's public school students to be well-rounded.
State Sen. Loretta Weinberg, who sat in on Christie's press conference, said she hoped the governor took notice of opposition to the proposed school.
“And while the governor was in Teaneck, I hope he got the message about this community’s overwhelming opposition to the $15 million application by the Garden State Virtual Charter School, which would have a far greater and more direct impact than the sick leave payout to a career public worker," Weinberg said in a statement.
The district has filed a petition seeking to block the charter school. State officials will announce in January if the school is approved.
Louann
9:57 pm on Wednesday, December 7, 2011
I will be there with signs and questions about the virtual charter school
Clemens
7:52 am on Thursday, December 8, 2011
Planning to be there as well.
Jacob
8:48 am on Thursday, December 8, 2011
I wonder how many of the local elected officials will show up.
Tom Abbott
3:03 pm on Thursday, December 8, 2011
Four school board members were there and one council person not counting the mayor who was part of Chrstie's event. Likely, the other board members were at their jobs.
The "more than a dozen protesters" were actually more than two dozen ... outnumbering reporters three-to-one. Not sure who counted a dozen as 19 can be seen just in the attached video.
zizi
9:19 am on Thursday, December 8, 2011
Great job Christie....... I did not vote for you before but sure will do next time around.......
Karin Kiesow-Irvine
12:20 pm on Thursday, December 8, 2011
"Rice, vice president of the Teaneck Board of Education, said she was concerned about the impact the potential cuts could have on extra-curricular activities."...more worried about the EXTRA's then the education?? Tell me RICE that your worry extends past the football field
kerri Mather
1:31 pm on Thursday, December 8, 2011
Karin, have you ever been quoted by a news media outlet? If so, you would know that only a SMALL portion of what you say actually gets printed. I have spoken to Ms. Rice and know she is far more concerned about education than "extras."
Jessica Brown
1:35 pm on Thursday, December 8, 2011
Has anyone cared to point out that the Govenor has indicated that while he supports a statewide charter, he wishes for funding to follow the "backpack" - meaning, each district will only pay for the number of students enrolled in that district.
That is the same position Mr. Flynn and the GSVCS has publicized. I think the bigger disgrace today is the waste of thousands of taxpayer dollars daily by the TBOE attacking this campaign.
The TBOE should work with Mr. Flynn, legislators, the NJ DOE on reform that would permit the statewide enrollment and residential district funding, as requested by the GSVCS.
GSVCS is NOT looking to hurt a school district. All it is seeking to do is assit children that are not able to properly flourish in a traditonal school setting. They have a very noble mission that, is oblviously not Rice's focus - sports, marketing and publicity matter more than assisting children at risk, with medical issues, etc.
Tom Abbott
2:54 pm on Thursday, December 8, 2011
It really doesn't matter what view the governor takes or what he wishes as long as state law says the money must be set aside from Teaneck's budget. Mr. Flynn's and GSVCS's positions are also immaterial.
It's not surprising that Mr. Christie supports the statewide virtual charter school. It will allow public money to be redirected toward private profit making institutions.
Jessica Brown
3:30 pm on Thursday, December 8, 2011
China,
[response to your post on previous GSVCS article]
You sound like a very smart person. How does this become an Orthodox Jewish ploy? This is a state issue, state school, with 1,000 children statewide, with a lottery system for admittance for the thousands expected to apply statewide. There are tens of thousands of Orthodox Jews in all of New Jersey - perhaps a few many consider this, perhaps not...but how is this and any dispute in town a Jewish vs. non-Jewish issue?
I wish Teaneck would stop being Jew vs. Non-Jew, Orthodox vs. Non-Ortho. This is a state issue anyway and GSVCS said they are not opening up until the STATE issues are resolved.
Patty Wettingfeld Monaco
4:35 pm on Thursday, December 8, 2011
Yes, Jessica - it is a STATE issue - that can be clarified with a change in the charter school funding laws. That STATE issue has not been addressed. I suspect that is why many people in Teaneck are upset - the way the current law reads - our education budget is affected, and Teaneck school officials were directed by the STATE to put aside $15 million dollars. School choice is not the issue - the issue is funding.
Jessica Brown
6:09 pm on Thursday, December 8, 2011
Thanks for the update Patty. I am aware of the issue, but Teaneck has been told by the NJ DOE that Teaneck will only pay for TEANECK residents who enroll, and not the 1,000 students and the GSVCS has also publicly indicated that they will only open if statewide enrollment and funding. Issue closed.
Tom Abbott
9:09 pm on Thursday, December 8, 2011
The NJ DOE unofficially telling Teaneck they will only pay for Teaneck residents who enroll is immaterial. This is a budget issue.
The only official communication that Teaneck has received is to set aside money in the budget for this charter school. Even if zero Teaneck residents enroll, this money cannot be allocated for other purposes until such time as Teaneck's final obligation is determined. The Teaneck school board has been told that it would not be until October. At that point, the school year would be well underway with all the cuts required by the budget allocation.
In addition, Teaneck has a further. Until October, when enrollment districts are determined, Teaneck, as the home district, is obliged to make monthly payments for all 1000 students. (As discussed at a Teaneck BofE meeting.)
If the NJ DOE feels this budget allocation and the legally required payments can be ignored, they should issue an official statement to that effect!
JamesTS
7:21 pm on Thursday, December 8, 2011
Good work Teaneck! great to see people out speaking up on this topic! thanks for video too!!
Loretta Weinberg
10:13 pm on Thursday, December 8, 2011
It was cold and windy and I give a great "thumbs up" to the Teaneck residents who showed up on BOTH sides of the Armory. I sent the blast email out last night as soon as I learned of the Governor's visit, and was amazed at Teaneck's response. I met the Governor upon his arrival and had a few moments to again talk to him about the virtual charter school. He was receptive and I believe understood how bizarre this whole thing is! We'll see next month!
LaVerne
11:18 am on Friday, December 9, 2011
Thank-you for your support. There were more than 2 dozen of us who represented many local organizations who braved the cold to send our message.
We hope The Governor does understand and steps in at some point to make the changes which are fair to all. For now, we hope that the town of Teaneck join us in Trenton as we OCCUPY the NJ Department of Education next Friday, Dcember 16th at 11:00am-12:00pm. To sign up for the bus please email us at
PTOcouncil@teaneckschools.org
Once again, thank-you for your support,
The Ptocouncil and Concerned Citizens of Teaneck
Keith Jensen
11:21 pm on Thursday, December 8, 2011
Senator Weinberg, I never respond to direct posts on the PATCH, but seeing this is the only way I can reach out to you, since it is obvious you are reading this, why can't you find a way to stick up for those in our District and speak out against the Abbott Ruling, which trumps the charter school issue?
For example, parents with a 3, 4 or 5 year old child get free Pre-K education in the 31 Abbott School Districts. Neither Teaneck, nor any other town you represent is an Abbott District. Yet, parents no matter what their financial status is, must pay for their Pre-K education.
However, just by virtue of living in Hoboken, which is an Abbott School District, the child receives FREE Pre-K education; incidentally the value of this Pre-K education is more than $20K a year, and the parents of Teaneck end up paying for the children of Hoboken. That includes the parents who make any sum of money in Hoboken receive free Pre-K education, simply because they live in Hoboken.
In Teaneck, nearly 60% of taxes go towards education, but approximately 20% of it stays in Teaneck. The rest is sent to Trenton and distributed to 31 Abbott School Districts: towns with a greater need than Teaneck, towns such as Hoboken.
Virtual charter schools is an issue, but it pales in comparison of the abused Abbott School ruling and how you do not speak out against it, or at least adjust it so it is fair to those you represent.
www.schoolfundingexposed.com
TeaneckBiz
10:31 am on Friday, December 9, 2011
I concur with Mr. Jensen. Our tax dollars should stay in Teaneck. It is insulting that I have to pay for my own kid's pre-k education while paying also for others pre-k. If the virtual school leads to less public school teacher salary and waste, then I am all for it
Jessica Brown
11:53 pm on Thursday, December 8, 2011
Senator Weinberg:
1. I heard the VCS board reached out to you for a meeting? Why did you meet with the TBOE and not the VCS board?
2. Are you aware of the positions of the VCS board, with statewide "back pack" funding - they will ONLY open if each student's costs are born by the student's district of residence?
Oh wait - perhaps their is a strong lobby from unions and other interests that cause you not to meet with all parties and get all the facts. Politics as usual.
Avi Bloom
8:41 am on Friday, December 9, 2011
Senator Weinberg, Please explain to the residents of Teaneck why you refuse to support FAIR SCHOOL FUNDING ? Its NOT fair that Teaneck children have less rights
than those in Newark & Garfield.
Jessica Brown
4:02 pm on Friday, December 9, 2011
It is so disturbing that Teaneck always turns to litigation to resolve all issues. when people question why our taxes are so high, compared to services received, let us start by taking a look at our leadership and how litigation seems to be the ONLY approach to resolving issues, at taxpayers dime.
JamesTS
5:10 pm on Friday, December 9, 2011
how else could they have handled it? theres a process to appeal these DOE decisions which the Teaneck BOE is following? what else do you suggest?