Christie To Audit Harrison School District
At his first post-election public appearance, Governor Elect Chris Christie stated that his administration will be auditing costly school districts. While visiting the Robert Treat Charter School in North Newark, Christie stated, "We have to figure out ways to make some priority judgments either tohave more of that money find its way into the classroom and or some ofthat money to find its way back to the taxpayers," The Robert Treat Charter School was founded by Steve Adubato, Sr. and his considered a model for urban education. Christie mentioned the Robert Treat Charter School throughout his campaign for Governor as an example of how a Charter school education could benefit the children of New Jersey.
The Harrison School District is likely to be one of the first districts to be audited by the Governor elect. Harrison receives state funding as an Abbott District but has shown little progress in improving the education of Harrison's children. Children are starving to be challenged and long for a good education. The New Jersey Supreme Court's mandate in Abbott to fund urban schools on par with more affluent suburban schools was well intended but immediately hijacked by many school administrations with much of the additional funding not improving student education. According to the New Jersey Department of Education, Harrison School District spends $16,898.00 per student. The best private schools in New Jersey do not charge that much in tuition. To review a copy of the School Board's budget, click here.
As a product of a Public School Education and an alumni of the Harrison Public School system, I understand the importance of maintaining the ideal of a good public school system. However, Governor Elect Chris Christie's support of private charter schools combined with auditing of public school districts is exactly what is needed to improve our public schools. Administrators must be held accountable for the money earmarked to improve our public schools. Politics should not be a significant part of our children's education. In Harrison, politics plays a significant role in who is hired by the Board of Education and directly impacts the educational process. It is not unique to Harrison but nonetheless should not play a significant role in any school district.
It will be interesting to see what an audit of the Harrison School district reveals.
The Harrison School District is likely to be one of the first districts to be audited by the Governor elect. Harrison receives state funding as an Abbott District but has shown little progress in improving the education of Harrison's children. Children are starving to be challenged and long for a good education. The New Jersey Supreme Court's mandate in Abbott to fund urban schools on par with more affluent suburban schools was well intended but immediately hijacked by many school administrations with much of the additional funding not improving student education. According to the New Jersey Department of Education, Harrison School District spends $16,898.00 per student. The best private schools in New Jersey do not charge that much in tuition. To review a copy of the School Board's budget, click here.
As a product of a Public School Education and an alumni of the Harrison Public School system, I understand the importance of maintaining the ideal of a good public school system. However, Governor Elect Chris Christie's support of private charter schools combined with auditing of public school districts is exactly what is needed to improve our public schools. Administrators must be held accountable for the money earmarked to improve our public schools. Politics should not be a significant part of our children's education. In Harrison, politics plays a significant role in who is hired by the Board of Education and directly impacts the educational process. It is not unique to Harrison but nonetheless should not play a significant role in any school district.
It will be interesting to see what an audit of the Harrison School district reveals.
Comments