Joint Legislative Committee on Government Consolidation and Shared Services
The impact of numbers is based on how they are presented. There can be no doubt that $400,000,000 is a lot of money, but consider this spread amongst 1,300,000 students.
In Ramsey, I go to our community’s taxpayers and ask them how to proceed. I tell them the cost for a high school student, per the DOE site, is $12,691. We can reduce that to $12,384. For the $307 savings, are they willing to have the district’s administration based in Hackensack?
Then I explain that decisions formerly made in Ramsey, for Ramsey families, would now be made by someone in Hackensack. I point out that we will likely have to sacrifice some of our educational efficiencies in return for fiscal efficiencies.
Ramsey residents would save our superintendent’s salary. That is $200,000 split amongst 15,000 residents, or $13.33 per person.
Then again, maybe we won’t see those savings.
Our Superintendent often plays the role of Solomon. If he is able to mediate a solution to a special education conflict, he can save the district beyond the value of his contract. He would also keep harmony. How many dollars is that worth?
In previous testimony, I made clear Dollar$ and Sense belief that the vast majority of district Superintendents are critical to New Jersey’s educational success. Their educational leadership and administrative abilities can more than cover their expense to the district.
The SCI report used numbers too. Certain districts and Superintendents really do have serious issues. Some real problems really need to be rectified. Transparency goes without saying. But let’s consider what they really looked at.
The SCI investigators worked with 71 districts. Out of the total of 616, that is 11.5%. Is that enough to justify the broad stroke that has painted all of our Superintendents in a bad light? Please consider that we are going to be forced to move our school board member elections because a 12-15% turnout is not considered acceptable. Dollar$ and Sense did offer testimony to the Senate Education Committee on this topic. That testimony is attached to this presentation.
When I last testified before you, we all agreed that no one wants to throw the baby out with the bath water. I’d like us all to know what that baby looks like. In this world with global demands, New Jersey stands tall. We provide quality education and critical support.
1) Our high school graduation rate is #1 in the country.
2) 98.8% of our high schools offer Advanced Placement classes. This is 4th highest in the country. The national average is 67.9%.
3) Our results on AP tests are 3rd in the nation.
4) Our 4th graders ranked 4th in reading and 5th in math.
5) Our 8th graders ranked 4th in reading and in math.
6) Nationally, 70.87% of current expenditures goes directly to the classroom for instruction, student support, and instructional support. New Jersey is criticized by many who simply don’t know. We dedicate 71.32% and look at our results.
In conclusion, we are all for finding every means possible for sharing and affecting the economies of scale, as long as it does not compromise the educational quality. Many of us have moved in this direction for many years. There are many ongoing programs that can be expanded to benefit us all. We need to use the talent we have. We need to organize regions or counties and place qualified "hands on" people at the helm. These region/county leaders can be directed by the D.O.E. as to standards and then they can apply what will work to accomplish the collective goals. Such leaders exist. Our own Dr. Graham is a fine example. These leaders, working with local superintendents can insure that New Jersey has the best of both worlds, fiscal and educational efficiency.
In Ramsey, I go to our community’s taxpayers and ask them how to proceed. I tell them the cost for a high school student, per the DOE site, is $12,691. We can reduce that to $12,384. For the $307 savings, are they willing to have the district’s administration based in Hackensack?
Then I explain that decisions formerly made in Ramsey, for Ramsey families, would now be made by someone in Hackensack. I point out that we will likely have to sacrifice some of our educational efficiencies in return for fiscal efficiencies.
Ramsey residents would save our superintendent’s salary. That is $200,000 split amongst 15,000 residents, or $13.33 per person.
Then again, maybe we won’t see those savings.
Our Superintendent often plays the role of Solomon. If he is able to mediate a solution to a special education conflict, he can save the district beyond the value of his contract. He would also keep harmony. How many dollars is that worth?
In previous testimony, I made clear Dollar$ and Sense belief that the vast majority of district Superintendents are critical to New Jersey’s educational success. Their educational leadership and administrative abilities can more than cover their expense to the district.
The SCI report used numbers too. Certain districts and Superintendents really do have serious issues. Some real problems really need to be rectified. Transparency goes without saying. But let’s consider what they really looked at.
The SCI investigators worked with 71 districts. Out of the total of 616, that is 11.5%. Is that enough to justify the broad stroke that has painted all of our Superintendents in a bad light? Please consider that we are going to be forced to move our school board member elections because a 12-15% turnout is not considered acceptable. Dollar$ and Sense did offer testimony to the Senate Education Committee on this topic. That testimony is attached to this presentation.
When I last testified before you, we all agreed that no one wants to throw the baby out with the bath water. I’d like us all to know what that baby looks like. In this world with global demands, New Jersey stands tall. We provide quality education and critical support.
1) Our high school graduation rate is #1 in the country.
2) 98.8% of our high schools offer Advanced Placement classes. This is 4th highest in the country. The national average is 67.9%.
3) Our results on AP tests are 3rd in the nation.
4) Our 4th graders ranked 4th in reading and 5th in math.
5) Our 8th graders ranked 4th in reading and in math.
6) Nationally, 70.87% of current expenditures goes directly to the classroom for instruction, student support, and instructional support. New Jersey is criticized by many who simply don’t know. We dedicate 71.32% and look at our results.
In conclusion, we are all for finding every means possible for sharing and affecting the economies of scale, as long as it does not compromise the educational quality. Many of us have moved in this direction for many years. There are many ongoing programs that can be expanded to benefit us all. We need to use the talent we have. We need to organize regions or counties and place qualified "hands on" people at the helm. These region/county leaders can be directed by the D.O.E. as to standards and then they can apply what will work to accomplish the collective goals. Such leaders exist. Our own Dr. Graham is a fine example. These leaders, working with local superintendents can insure that New Jersey has the best of both worlds, fiscal and educational efficiency.
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