Press Release: Dolan Asks Legislators and Christie to Delay School Election

Editor's Note: The following is a press release issued by the Westifeld Public Schools including a letter sent by Schools Superintendent Margaret Dolan to Senate Minority Leader Tom Kean Jr. (R-Westfield), Assemblyman Jon Bramnick (R-Westfield) and Assemblywoman Nancy Munoz (R-Summit). The letter is regarding the cuts made this week by Gov. Chris Christie to state education aid, including the $4.22 million cut Westfield received.

90.4% CUT IN STATE AID  

A directive from Trenton on March 17 cut Westfield's state aid to schools by 90.4%.  This completely contradicted what the Commissioner of Education had told Boards of Education and Superintendents less than a week before.  New Jersey's Constitution provides for public education for all.  With this cut, the State will provide less than 1 % of the cost of public education in Westfield.   Following is the text of the message that Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Margaret Dolan, sent to Westfield's representatives in Trenton.  Contact information for Westfield's representatives and the Governor are listed below the message:

Reschedule School Election

The students in the public schools in Westfield deserve better. 

The taxpayers in Westfield deserve better. 

The state has given us 6 days to cut $4,222,000 from the cost of educating 6,275 students. 

The Governor and Commissioner have promised a "tool kit" to make these cuts.

The tool kit is empty. 

The State Legislature will have almost 4 months to debate and make well- reasoned decisions about the Governor's proposed budget.

All school districts have been directed to make cuts in 6 days – not knowing what the legislature will change.

It is imperative that the budget vote be rescheduled.  Ballots have not been printed.  Boards of Education will then be able to utilize the promised tools and make informed cuts to their budgets.

The 6,275 students in public schools in Westfield deserve better.

Margaret Dolan, Ed.D

Superintendent

Westfield Public Schools

908-789-4420

If you would like to contact your elected officials about the cut in state aid to our schools, you may reach them as follows:

Chris Christie, Governor

Office of the Governor

PO Box 001

Trenton, NJ 08625

609-292-6000

email message at http://www.state.nj.us/governor/contact/

To email State Senator Kean, Assemblyman Bramnick, or Assemblywoman Munoz, go to:

http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/SelectMun.asp

Tom Kean, Senate Minority Leader

425 North Ave. East, Suite C, Westfield, NJ 07090

Phone: (908) 232-3673

Jon M. Bramnick, Assemblyman and Republican Whip

251 North Ave. West, 2nd Floor, Westfield, NJ 07090

Phone: (908) 232-2073

Nancy F. Munoz, Assemblywoman

251 North Ave. West, 2nd Floor, Westfield, NJ 07090

Phone: (908) 232-2073