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The gala featured Acting Commissioner of Education Kevin Dehmer and Mercer County Commissioner Samuel Frisby. Assemblywoman Dawn Fantasia (Morris, Sussex and Warren Counties) and Assemblyman Avi Schnall (Monmouth and Ocean Counties) also attended the event. Over 250 educators, supporters, and advocates gathered to celebrate the transformative work of public charter schools, which currently serve over 62,000 students across 85 schools in New Jersey.

Gov. Phil Murphy’s efforts to fully fund New Jersey’s school aid formula have gone a long way toward getting resources into under-resourced schools, helping to close long-standing educational gaps in our state. But while his commitment to maximizing the formula is laudable, there is still much to be done to ensure equity in funding, especially for public charter schools’ facility needs.

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“Kevin Dehmer’s reputation precedes him and his depth of knowledge, experience and relationships throughout the State will serve him well in this role. In particular, his unparalleled understanding of school funding and all fiscal matters will be critical as we look to continue to get resources into our most educationally disadvantaged communities,” Harry Lee, president and CEO of the New Jersey Public Charter Schools Association, said in a statement.

The bill is the first-ever funding framework for New Jersey’s public charter schools since their inception 26 years ago, and will allow schools located in SDA districts to make critical upgrades to charter school facilities, start new charter school construction projects, or perform major renovation and rehabilitation projects.

“As a public charter school parent and advocate for equity in education, I am deeply committed to ensuring that all public schools, including ours, can enhance their facilities, improve accessibility and create space in aging school buildings," affirmed Ketty Wilcox, whose child attends Roseville Community Charter School in Newark.

TJ Best, senior advisor for the New Jersey Public Charter Schools Association, praised the progress: “While there is still work to do, our remarkable public charter school educators deserve recognition for the undeniable progress our students have made... They’ve accelerated learning and provided strong social and emotional supports for our students, particularly students of color in our urban districts. We must follow the data and replicate what works because our students deserve the best.”

Public charter schools continue to make significant student achievement gains for students of color in under-resourced communities throughout New Jersey.

"For the first time in our 26 year history, our schools will have a mechanism to fund critical infrastructure improvements that address failing plumbing systems, leaky roofs, and overcrowded classrooms."

New Jersey Public Charter Schools Association Hosts Successful Advocacy Training Event