This continues the shameful debate over public funds for religous education. All residents should be outraged. The Academy supporters have the right to educate their children any way they want but not with public tax dollars that are badly needed for our truly public schools. This may not be illegal but it is certainly shameful unethical behavior. Hopefully Shalom will just go away.

steve,

What evidence do you have that public funds would be used for religious education? Why shouldn't all children of tax-paying residents be entitled to the same public funds?

Yeah only the orthodox are allowed to be contiunally screwed over by paying for other people's children to go to school without getting any benefit. Funny how no one has a problem for relgious funds in other words money from orthodox Jews paying for eveyrone else to use the public school system. Wheres the outrage about that Steve?

Enough is enough. I don't want one cent of my tax money supporting anything having to do with religion. Whatever your beliefs my be that's fine. Keep it to yourself and pay for it out of your pocket not mine. You want a religious education, you pay for it. I had no problem sending my daughter to private school and didn't ask for a cent. I also didn't mind paying for public school. I'm sick of this charter school crap. Our tax monies should only go for PUBLIC SCHOOL.

Weather funds are used for religious education or not the point is that public funds are being used for private schools. Schools that do not answer to those funding them.

I agree with John on this. Public funds should not be used for private education, which is essentially what charter schools do. Has no one noticed that charter schools, with a few exceptions, perform no better than their public school counterparts?
Those who resent their tax money being used for public schooling are not looking at the big picture. A successful democracy must supply an education to all its citizens, regardless of socio-economic status or religion. The only way to make that work is for all citizens to contribute a small share of the cost. Otherwise, those who cannot afford tuition will not get an education and all of society will suffer.

Shimon, one makes choices in life. I sent my children to parochial schools and did not ask for a sou from my fellow taxpayers nor would I expect any.

John nobody is asking for money from you or anyone else. We simply want to not pay for public schools we don't use. If you have such a problem with money going to religious instituations then why does that not work both ways. Fair if fair. I won't take your money don't take mine. Hasn't the fact that we have been spending billions on education over the past 50 years wtih no results resinate with anyone?

Shimon, you don't seem to understand that I paid for my children's education without crying that money was being taken from me while I was contributing to the public weal.
Wait while I rosin my bow to come play at your pity party. Pity parties are not becoming. But from past experience at these affairs they are lonely ones. It will be just you and me and I won't be dancing with you, I'll be playing for you and for a fee.

Teaneck is not 100% only orthodox, so technically they are not the only ones paying for "other" people's children to go to school.. there are other residents of different nationalities living here as well. although is my seem predominantly jewish, its not. Anyway teaneck has too many schools already and this town is not even that big..there are like 2 charter schools already so they should just send their children to one of those, why does everything have to be separate for the jewish people from food etc. every year our taxes are increasing for unnecessary expenses like this one. they didn't even apply in englewood like the article stated because they won't put up with that crap, but they know that have a better chance in teaneck.. They already have their own high school, give me a break.. I'm must be present for this next meeting. this is foolishness

Ruth-
Your disgusting and derogatory comment on why the Jews have to do everything separate is a disgrace. I do not have the knowledge base to explain why the Jews have Kosher laws. Whatever the reason is, we live in a beautiful country that allows all religions to practice what they would like. I encourage you to research a topic that might be bothering you instead of trying to grab peoples attention with ridiculous and uneducated comments.

I understand why we have to pay for PUBLIC schools. However, why are we paying for football, track, and other extra curricular activites? I might agree that public education is right. But sports and extra curricular activities are a priviledge and should not be paid for and funded with tax dollars.

Why bash Jews or Kosher eating individuals? Some people are vegan. Some eat Halal. We all have freedom to do as we please. SACS will not be a religious school. In matter of fact, I know some that are going that have hired private bible tutors to study with their children privately, after school. I personally have a child in public school and choose to provide my child a religious education as well, so have a rabbi meet with my son twice a week to study bible. Just like the state of NJ / Teaneck has laws that require one to pay property tax, the NJ DOE and NJ legislature have set up charter laws. Such charter laws permit various alternative choices for citizens to choose. These applicants are closely scrutinized and have strict guidelines to adhere. While there are many types of Charter School, I am not aware of any law or regulations that permit Charter Schools for RELIGION or RELIGIOUS purposes. SACS will not be a private religious program. The fact that ANY resident of Teaneck or Englewood can register there children there is also further proof that this is NOT a private religious school.

I wish the hatred I see on the Teaneck Patch will dissipate. Be it Jews, minorities, council members or other individuals, can we show respect for our fellow neighbors and citizens. The thing I love about Teaneck most is its rich diversity and culture. My son's rec soccer team last year had kids from 6 schools and 3 religions!!!

My general problem is these "specialized" schools which address one area. BUT the law is the law. I dont see how arguing over this one school is going to change anything. The law allows this. Where is our state senators on this topic? Theres nothing we can really do in Teaneck about it.. It is a state law which allow charter schools. Also I dont think this is "hatred" I think people are overacting but i dont think its fair to say they hate any group. Lets not assume that of our neighbors.

Think teaneck

Umm please no one is bashing the Jews and I knw all about their laws so spare yourself.... The point is TEANECK HAS TOO MANY SCHOOLS ALREADY
INCLUDING 2 Charter schools.. WE DO NOT NEED
ANOTHER CHARTER SCHOOL THAT CATERS TO ONE GROUP WHEN TEANECK IS SO DIVERSE.. They can send them to the 2 we alread have....

Ruth-
Spare yourself the cap locks; I can read the lower case letters perfectly.

I am not going to debate whether or not your comment was derogatory. If your point is that there is no need for another charter school then there is no problem stating that. Making a comment however that singles out a religion in an insensitive way is not the way one should act.

Gee if I don't like the tax system I should move. Now why didn't I think of that what a brilliant idea. Of course lets not address the actual issue or problem clearly I am the only one who has the issue so it must be my fault. Why not change the problem which effects everyone instead of giving lame unoriginal answers like just move. John, I'm happy for you that you paid for your kid's school. As I have said before I don't want your pity or anything else from you. I am an orthodox Jew just to state what is probabaly obvious. There is a sizable amount of us who live in Teaneck. You can like or us not like us it doesn't really matter to me but please recognize that we have a seat at the table. Do you really think I am the only one who is complaining about this, you think there might be other people who have the same issue. So basically getting screwed over in taxes doesn't bother anyone as long as the money doesn't go to religious institutions. Either way you are getting screwed why not complain about that. Does the fact that the taxes here are one of the highest in the country and that it doesn't even cover garbage pick up and an ambulance service escape people?

Lets try this. Any school which openly has, either in its name or its description a clear connection with a religious group should not be obtaining tax dollars for its operation. I would go farther and say that any restrictive admission school should not obtain tax dollars. Why even mention a religious affiliation? Look, Paramus Catholic High School, obviously a religious affiliated school, does it get state tax dollar subsidies to exist. No and I do not think they should, and I am Catholic. Lets try this novel thought, if all the energy, time and money that is spent on charters were directed at maintaining and improving public education then there would be less of this type of discussion because the only reason for these restrictive admission, publicly funded schools is better education correct?

The shot taken at Shimon that he should move is a cheap shot and not even worthy of comment. We live in a very diverse society and not everyone has the same ideas but we resolve these, or live with them, through dialog not diatribe.

Move to where?......... do we have a town that does not have unionized teachers or administrators? Please tell me if you know.......

Im not Jewish but even i know that hebrew is a language not a religion... the school is legal nothing we can do. our senators have to change the law.

Teesmyth - You are not insulting me. I just wonder how many people have reviewed the other charters in the NY / NJ area that are language base. If I am not a speaker or native of French / France, Italian / Italian, Hindi / India, should we permit said charters? What about those that are discipline specific. If my family is not artistic or into mechanics, should we have general tax dollar funds go to these schools? We have all of these schools receiving Federal, State and their local municipality tax dollars without breaking any LAWS.

Obviously, I would object to tax dollars going to a religious institution. Like I wrote yesterday, I have a child in public school and I have a rabbi privately meet with my son twice a week to have bible study. I pay for that out of my pocket.

Listen, Christie said he would lower property taxes, if funding more schools and more serivices, such as busing and special ed and nurses for more charter schools has to paid for then we must pay more money, but relax, Chrisite will LOWER your taxes, he said so..

JeffO - as I am Teaneck resident, but not a board member / employee of TPS or even involved with Shalom Academy, why / how would I know number of registrants from TPS versus parochial or private school? I also dont work for the bus company for either program...so I cannot even look at bus routes or changes to routes. Stating that there are dozens of charter schools in the USA, based on language as a focus, and be it Arabic, French, Latin. Hindu or Hebrew, none of them have been struck down by the courts as being religious in nature, this charter is legitimately permitted under NJ law.

Jeff: Thanks for writing. Correct, obviously as a concerned citizen, I read up on everything, but as I don't work for this school or TPS, know very little and NO inside info. As far as who it will serve:
1. I know Jews attending an Arab Language charter school. I know Christians attending Hindu charter schools.
2. Any citizen in Teaneck or Englewood could register, space permitting, just like what is happening with these schools in Florida and NYC. As Mr. Abott pointed out, 1/3 in NYC are African American and many are hispanic. It is clearly not a religious program.
3. When the school has a waiting list of people from inside and outside the districts trying to get in, I would say that the school must be resonating with a larger segment of the population than you are making it out to be...seems like MANY want options.
4. I have spoken to people at the TPS - Hebrew USED to a language option, just like Spanish and Latin. However, despite many requesting it, the district does not provide that as an elective. If someone is interested in the tech field, medical field, and some other industries, Hebrew is a great 2nd language to know, regardless of religion or religious practice. I know non-Jews that spend several months a year at their company's headquarters in Haifa and Tel Aviv, which are HQ for their USA employers in those fields.

I think TPS are very solid. However, some want these other options. They have a right under our laws to seek them.

Sorry Bizzy Bee - yes, last week I wrote Hindi. I know many non-Hindu individuals attending Hindi language charter schools - many interesting in engineering, science and pharmaceutical. There are reasons to learn and master languages not traditionally taught at most public schools - often nothing to do with religion. Sorry for the typo.

Teesnyth - I will call a spade a spade. Shalom Academy, if approved by the BOA and NJ DOE did not violate any laws or procedures in opening up their charter school and is another option for our tax paying citizens to consider when we choose a place for our children to attend. I personally have a child at TPS, and like the product, so he is staying there, but for those that want other options, there is this and other charters to choose from, all operating under the laws of the State of NJ.

Finally, the other side of the coin perspective: if I was a member of the Teaneck BOE, I would actually hold public forums with all segments of the population and try to learn what programs would help the TPS suit all segments of the population. When well over 1/3 of our residents speak Hebrew as at least one of the languages in their home, perhaps that should be offered as an elective 2nd language option at the TPS, and SACS would not have even been contemplated. [How many homes in Teaneck speak Latin?]

If one class session is taught 2-3 times at each middle school and say 2 sections, 2-3 times each at the HS, it may be an entry level or part time teacher that may cost the district 40 or 60k...perhaps a better business model and community option, but the district does not offer this. This is not just for HEBREW, but other items that may interest large segments of our community, language or otherwise.

Mr. Abbott: We are 1/3 African American. Several Hispanics, if you want to play with semantics - so 35-40% are minorities. How many white people were not Jewish? Without even knowing that,seems like 40-60% of school, minimum came from public school, perhaps more. Obviously, at this point, we don't know breakdown for Teaneck or Englewood, but if there is a waiting list and many people I spoke to are considering it as options in year #2, if approved this year [that are not Orthodox Jews], apparently the demand is more than the Teaneck School District is letting the public on to believe. My understanding they have 140-160 spots year one with a waiting list - for an unproven, new charter school, that seems like a need of our community, Jewish or otherwise. Also, when you consider this is a K-5, what would be the real number of interested families if k-12. The demand is there. The TBOE can service the demand or they can ignore it.