Democratic Candidates Push for Charter School Reform

Hillsborough resident Maureen Vella, a candidate for New Jersey State Senate from the 16th District, and Aldo Martinez and John J. Reddan, candidates for the Hillsborough Township Committee, released a letter to the current Hillsborough Township Committee strongly urging their support for voter control over possible charter schools and education funding. 
The candidates requested that the mayor and sitting committee members immediately consider and adopt the resolution in favor of Senate Bill S-2243,according to a release from the Hillsborough Township Democratic Organization.  The bill allows for voter approval over the creation and tax-based financing of charter schools in school districts, and allow for voter approval before funds are diverted from the regular school district budget.
“This bill represents an opportunity for residents to help control how their tax dollars are spent,” said Vella, who is running with 16th District Assembly Candidates Joe Camarota of South Brunswick and Marie Corfield of Flemington. “We have already seen hundreds of millions of dollars in education aid slashed or lost and the significant negative impact that has had on our children’s educations with larger classrooms and huge program cuts. Instead of being told where our tax dollars are going to be spent, taxpayers should have the ability to vote on where their public education dollars are being spent in the District.” 

attended by Vella, Camarota and Corfield. South Brunswick's Township Council unanimously passed a resolution supporting the bill during its regular meeting that night.
“With the huge cuts to education we have already had to absorb, our local school board is continually facing challenges to maintain the quality of education we have come to expect in Hillsborough,” said Martinez via release. “The Mayor and the Township Committee should join us and adopt this resolution today to allow for taxpayers to have a say on where their taxpayer dollars are being spent.” 
“Perhaps Charter Schools will ultimately have a role in educating our students,” said Reddan, also via release. “However, we should not impact our quality public education system without putting it to a vote of Hillsborough’s residents.” 
All three candidates signed the letter and called on the Township Committee to adopt the Resolution at its earliest opportunity as the legislation is pending in the New Jersey Legislature.