| This is one of messages being sent by charter schools to the rest of New Jersey. And since this is one of the lucky areas that Governor Christie deems to be more equal than everything else (not to mention is precisely why Bret Schundler was his choice for Education Commissioner), look for more of our tax dollars to go to privately run schools with less say in how they are run.
We have just seen how charter schools are being favored since that budget is not being touched while public education funding is being cut by close to $1 billion this year. And in a continuing effort to dismantle one of the country's finest public school systems (see 2008's top 5 ranking and 2010's top 7 ranking for example), he is once again putting his foot on the throats of the teachers - not funding their pensions, demanding pay freezes or cuts and more contributions to their pensions to avoid massive layoffs. Because, you know, demoralizing teachers and overcrowding classrooms with less resources is a great way to make sure that our children are educated.
Meanwhile, the charter schools view this as their golden era - and aren't even waiting to push for more when everyone else but the "chosen few" are asked being told to take much less: Gloria Bonilla-Santiago, founder of the LEAP Academy University charter school in Camden, said she sees better days ahead for charter schools with Christie at the state's helm.
---snip---
Specifically, state funding for charter schools needs to be more in line with aid to public schools and the state needs to reduce the "overregulation'' of charter schools, which she said are working with small budgets.
Well, isn't that special? Give privately run schools more public money to have less accountability so they can get more public funding is exactly what these charter schools are looking for. And with Schundler's love affair with private charter schools taking public money, coupled with Christie's views as well - expect the privatization of our education system to expand substantially - whether New Jerseyans like it or not.
Because, you know, they voted for change in November - which you can expect to hear over and over and over as Christie continues his reverse Robin Hood; giving more of our money to the super rich, the uber large corporations - all while dismantling the public education system and making it easier to pollute our air and water. |
