Amicus Brief
On Friday, June 27, 2008, Dollar$ and Sense filed the attached amicus brief with the New Jersey Supreme Court.
See the documents here by clicking on the link -
Dollar$ and Sense Final Brief To Supreme Court
We are asking the New Jersey Supreme Court and we are asking our
Legislators; Put all of the facts on the table. Then we can
all decide.
From the first day we got to see the School Funding Reform Act,
Dollar$ and Sense recognized that suburban districts needed to step
forward and participate in the correction process. Our motto
defines our purpose: “ CONSTRUCTIVE SOLUTIONS, EFFICIENT
SPENDING, AND QUALITY EDUCATION.”
The School Funding Reform Act (SFRA) specifically establishes a
base level of “adequacy” funding for urban and suburban
schools. The Education Law Center response Brief also talks
about urban and suburban districts. There is then a
succession of briefs, and none of them mention suburban schools at
all. It is as if we are to be carried along with the inertia
of their debate. This will not do! Our efforts bring
suburban districts back into the picture.
While there are many issues we have regarding the formula, it was
important for us to focus only on the specific issues before the
court. You will see that the Brief is written in the terms
that the Court will acknowledge as germane. It speaks of “I”
and “J” districts because the Court rulings speak of “I” and “J”
districts. Our concern and our efforts are for all suburban
districts.
Our districts’ level of accomplishment is the standard that many
urban schools must seek to emulate. The SFRA asks us to
reduce the disparity between urban and suburban schools by leveling
down what suburban districts spend and what we are able to
accomplish. We have all worked very hard to make our schools
great. We all work to reduce costs. Our children face
challenges we never imagined. This is no time to level down the
quality of the education we provide.
To those districts that stepped forward with us, please know that
this couldn’t have occurred without your support. Dollar$ and
Sense, and in fact all suburban districts owe you thanks. To
those who took a wait and see position, you will see that what we
have done was absolutely necessary. Our approach is positive
and constructive.
We ask you all to send the Brief to any you feel have
interest. With the first step so powerfully presented, we
must all be ready when the next step occurs. We have asked the
Court to allow us, or those we represent, to be a part of a fact
finding process that would determine the correct “adequacy” level
for funding our successful districts. Until the Court
responds to our request, we will not know our next step. We know
that opening arguments will occur on 9/22/08. Please
encourage people to sign on to our web site so that they receive
our e-mailed updates.
We will continue to work to justify the faith many of you have
shown to us and we will continue to keep you informed.
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