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April 25, 2024
Just How ‘Fair’ Is Newark Public Schools?
April 26, 2024Charter Group Calls on Murphy For Fair Facilities Funding
The New Jersey Public Charter Schools Association (NJPCSA) celebrates April’s School Library Month and the tremendous contribution school libraries make towards fostering literacy and creating a lifetime love of learning. With the observation of School Library month, NJPCSA calls on Governor Murphy and the Legislature to provide public charter schools with crucial school facilities funding so that every public school can provide their students with a dedicated library.
In Governor Murphy’s FY2025 proposed budget, emergent projects and capital maintenance aid for public charter schools was reduced by $15 million dollars and the recently created Public Charter and Renaissance School Facilities Loan Program has gone unfunded.
“Libraries are cornerstone institutions in schools, playing a vital role in promoting literacy, fostering critical thinking, and providing modern technological tools and resources. Yet despite their proven impact, public charter schools across New Jersey operate without dedicated facilities funding for providing library space, denying students these resources,” said Harry Lee, President and CEO of NJPCSA.
Nearly 89% of public charter schools say their schools do not have libraries or that their school libraries are not adequate, highlighting a gap in resources that impedes student access to essential educational tools. Additionally, public charter schools are forced to fund their facilities from operating budgets, spending on average $2,000 per student, funding that would otherwise be used for teacher salaries, classroom supplies, and technology.
In contrast, since 2001, New Jersey has invested over $18 billion in school construction across Schools Development Authority (SDA) districts, regular operating districts (RODs), and vocational schools to enhance infrastructure and resources, including libraries.
“The lack of adequate facilities funding for essential resources like libraries, gyms, and technology labs is an inequity that public charter schools continue to face,” stated TJ Best, Senior Advisor at NJPCSA. “Bridging this divide is crucial to ensure that all students, regardless of the type of public school they attend, have equal opportunities to access vital resources and flourish both academically and personally.”
The absence of libraries and facilities funding is particularly felt in under-resourced communities and among students of color, who make up 91% of those attending public charter and renaissance schools in New Jersey’s most challenged districts. With 76% of these students qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch, the lack of financial resources within schools exacerbates educational inequities.
“In Newark, our students face numerous challenges outside the school doors. Inside, they should find a sanctuary of learning equipped with the tools they need to thrive, and libraries are essential resources in schools,” said María Pilar Paradiso, Head of School at Link Community Charter School in Newark. “With the addition of our elementary school, the need for dedicated library space becomes even more critical, particularly given the role of early literacy in setting the foundation for lifelong learning. Providing a space specifically for our youngest students sends a message about the importance of literacy and fosters a love of reading from the moment a child first enters school.”
Lee concluded, “We greatly appreciate Governor Murphy and the Legislature’s efforts to address public charter schools’ facilities, including the creation of the facilities loan program. However, now is not the time to take our foot off the gas. We need to fund the loan program and restore funding for emergent aid. We look forward to working with elected officials over the spring to ensure the final state budget affords every student access to a safe, healthy and modern school building.”
For more information about New Jersey’s public charter schools, please visit www.njcharters.org.
4 Comments
Charter Schools deserve more, just for the sake of it, isn’t the best slant. Mr. Lee and his association are supposed to be advocating for this strand of education. It appears the association is more inclined to demand “stuff” than show clear-cut, personal examples of how Charter Schools stand above the pack. For once, let’s hear from the students, the parents … the educators who distinguish Charter Schools. Let’s hear from the actual state employees who work in the genuine, DOE Charter School Office. Let’s see some visual interviews with all of the above. Let’s hear their reasons for resources and why such resources are necessary. This might win public support. However, this constant, bland grandstanding of “give me, give me, give me” and “look how intelligent I am” is quite tiring and therefore, comprises the weakest form of advocacy any such organization could give.
I decided to visit the Charter School Association home site. It should be filled with public testimonies and direct voices from those in the trenches. Instead, it features assessments of how great the association is. It looks more like a pet project, positioned to celebrate its face-value existence, instead of endorsing its product. It lacks in spot-on advocacy. Is it any wonder why a portion of the public has its doubts about Charter School validity?
Unfortunately, Murphy is not a supporter of Charter Schools, no matter what he professes. His DOE Commissioner may appear at events, but that’s all for show. One can ask the Governor to fund the cause, but don’t expect any worth-while results. Instead of asking for Murphy’s sole assistance, how about building up from the ground floor? Public backing is a sound option, but if the public can’t be convinced, nothing substantial will ever be gained. The public must be at the forefront of the advocacy. At this point, that is not the case.
I’m confused. What’s the darn point of an advocacy group if there’s a lack of voices from parents, teachers and students as part of the cause? I see this problem with other nonprofits, which might be the reason some say to avoid them. Then again, maybe this nonprofit just needs to do its job and get updated.