8/8/2019 Jersey City Resolution Calling for Full Funding of Charter Schools

1/1

Resolution of the City of Jersey City, N.J.City Clerk File No. Res. 11-011 EMlS\\RS/lr .pAgenda No. 10. J ~.pproved: /oTITLE:

Resolution urging that the Governor and State Legislature approve anequitable funding formula for Charter SchoolsWHERES, public education is a vital part of our community and democracy; andWHEREAS, public education is guaranteed every child residing within our State regardless ofinc-ome or status; andWHEREAS, every student has theright to a good and equitable publicly funded educationregardless of which school they attend; andWHEREAS, the School Funding Reform Act (SFRA) school funding formula is up for legislativereview in February 2011; andWHEREAS, the CHARTER SCHOOL PROGRAM ACT OF 1995, N.J.S.A. 18A:36A clearly states thatcharter school students should receive 90% of sending distrcts program aid. Yet this year, theaverage Jersey City Charter School student received only 59% (44%if facilty costs are included) infunding compared of the $17,400/student in the Jersey City School district; andWHEREAS,some of ourtop ranking public schools are charter schools that receive less.than 40% oftotal funding and are at risk of closing due to lack of funding; andWHERES, the Jersey City Public School's enrollment has steadily decreased over the past 12 years,Jersey City Charer School enrollment has increased roughly 10% yet all Jersey City charter schoolshave sustained dramatic cuts in aid due to SFRA legislation enacted in 2007; andWHERES; the inequitable funding Jersey City Charter Schools received is due to the fact that theyare riot eligible for the $100 milion in adjustment aid the Jersey City Public Schools received.NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, thatthe Municipal Council of the City of Jersey City doeshereby request that Governor Christie and the State Legislature create a more equitable formula forcharter schools. It is essential that Charter Schools receive the funding guaranteed be the CharterSchool Act of 1995. .NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT FUTHER RESOLVED, that the Municipal Clerk send copies of thisresolution to Governor Christie, State Education Commissioner and members of the Hudson Countydelegation to the New Jersey Assembly and State.

'APPROVED:APPROVED:

APPROVED AS TO LEGAL FORM~-~ounselCertification Required DNot Required D

APPROVEDRECORD OF COUNCIL VOTE ON FINAL PASSAGE lIiV11

COUNCILPERSON AYE NAY N.V. COUNCILPERSON AYE NAY N.V. COUNCILPERSON AYE NAY N'vSOnOLANO GAUGHAN FLOODDONNELLY FULOP VElAZOUEZLOPEZ RICHARDSON BRENNAN, PRES.

,l Indicates Vote NY-Not Voting (AbstainAdopted at a meeting of the Municipal Council of the City of Jersey City N.J.

Peter M. Brennan, President of Council Robert Byrne, City Clerk