[also re-posted from the MOMS Club mailing list, a forward from school board official in a neighboring town]
Dear friends,
For some of you this information is probably redundant, and you may have received other e-mails about it, but given the stakes in these matters, probably a little extra information isn't such a bad thing.
It would appear that, at least for now, the bill to create a pilot county-run district is dead(A8/S7). There has been a substantial outcry from citizens in many parts of the state, including much activity from Chatham, Summit , Berkeley Heights, and Mountainside. Senate President Codey said that plan has been killed. It is no longer posted for a vote in the Senate.
However, the other proposal to create the position of executive County Superintendent(A4/S10) is still posted for a vote on Monday, Jan.22. News reports say that it will be amended. What the amendments might do is unclear at this time, although one report says that the new position's veto powers would be removed.
According to the government relations office of the New Jersey School Boards Association, whom I spoke to on Friday, some Democratic lawmakers want to slow the process down and have this bill(and possibly others) subject to the more normal process of being referred to committee for discussion before being brought to the floor for a vote. He said there was no reason not to continue contacting the legislators. One possibility he mentioned was that there could be behind the scenes maneuvering on Monday, and a vote could be taken on Thursday. It certainly wouldn't hurt to continue the e-mail and phone blitz that has apparently been quite effective. Even though the pilot county bill looks dead, I'd mention your opposition to that as well.
The key phone numbers are Governor Corzine-609-292-6000, Senator Codey 973-731-6770, and Speaker Roberts 856-742-7600. Remember that all legislators can be e-mailed using Sen___@njleg.org, and Asm___@njleg.org.
Remember to send e-mails to your local legislators, even if they are on our side on these issues, and copy them on any e-mails you send to any other legislators.
Thanks to all of you for making your voices heard.
