Despite boost in funding, NJ charter schools say more needed

By: Monica Miller

At a time when New Jersey lawmakers are cutting spending to balance the state’s budget, charter schools are getting a financial boost. However, one charter school advocate says the money isn’t enough.

By: Monica Miller

At a time when New Jersey lawmakers are cutting spending to balance the state’s budget, charter schools are getting a financial boost. However, one charter school advocate says the money isn’t enough.

Transcript:
The Garden State’s 62 charter schools could get $35 million in the governor’s proposed budget.  However, Jessany Gordon from the New Jersey Charter Public School Association says even though they’re getting a 14 percent increase over last year’s budget, it still won’t meet the needs of the schools’ increased enrollments.

Gordon: “Their enrollments are growing at 19 percent. So when you break that down on a per-pupil basis, then you see actually that there’s less funding per student.”

The Association’s Executive Director says she understands that many educational facilities face budget cuts. However, state charter schools have proven to be successful with roughly a 90 percent high school graduation rate.

Gordon: “We need to offer more and more of these opportunities to these kids.”

Gordon says enrollment is projected to grow by 3,500 pupils in the coming school year. They would need an additional $9 million to meet their needs.