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Today, the New Jersey Public Charter Schools Association announced that Galen Johnson and Ashley Cordero have joined the organization as Senior Director of Grassroots Advocacy and Newark Community Organizer, respectively.

"We thank Governor Murphy, Majority Leader Ruiz and all the legislative sponsors for recognizing the urgency of the challenges facing New Jersey's schools, from learning loss to longstanding resource gaps in our urban centers. These new laws were the product of collaboration with a broad array of education stakeholders and will give more schools, both district and public charter schools, the tools to grow and expand their literacy programs to meet the needs of our youngest learners. While this policy response will require a continued all-hands-on-deck approach, New Jersey's public charter schools stand ready to meet that challenge," said Harry Lee, President and CEO of the New Jersey Public Charter Schools Association.

Facilities funding for public charter schools cut by 75% in Governor’s proposed budget

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.

21 Public Charter Schools “Exceed Standards” on Student Growth Demonstrating Faster Recovery From Academic Pandemic Losses Compared To Rest of State

“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.”