Last week, members of the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee heard testimony from Great Oaks Legacy Charter High School Senior Nathan Duguid urging them to restore public charter school facilities funding that was cut in Governor Murphy’s proposed budget.

“As a public charter school student who plans to one day teach in Newark, I thank committee members for hearing my testimony on the lack of dedicated funding for public charter school facilities. With over $1 billion in needs statewide, I hope my testimony will move legislators to correct this inequity impacting one in every three students in Newark attending a public charter school,” Duguid stated. 

During the hearing at the New Jersey Institute of Technology in Newark, Duguid, who serves as President of the school’s Advocacy Club and its Student Council President, urged lawmakers to restore funding cuts for public charter schools emergent and capital maintenance fund , as well as dedicate new funding for a loan program for significant renovation and construction projects.

“Public charter school students in New Jersey have the same needs as their district peers and deserve to be fairly funded in a modern and welcoming environment. I thank the committee for hearing Nathan’s testimony and urge the Legislature and Governor Murphy to continue listening to the needs of public charter school students and their families as this budget moves forward,” said Harry Lee, President and CEO of the New Jersey Public Charter Schools Association.

“We commend Nathan’s willingness to elevate his voice on this important discussion around the pressing facilities needs of public charter schools in New Jersey,” said Jared Taillefer, Great Oaks Legacy Charter School Executive Director.  “We look forward to how this topic will evolve given its impact on students across New Jersey.”