There is a growing cry for "tax reform" throughout the state. Brent Schundler, Doug Forrester and a pack of jackals are calling for property tax relief. S-1701, approved by the Democrats of former Governor Mc Greevey was one attempt at holding down the costs of education, the Constitutional Convention (Con Con) is another. Don't be fooled. The target of these efforts are the poorer urban Abbott districts like Paterson. Those who call for reduction in school spending are aiming their big guns directly at us. We are under attack, and the theft of school money by "the Paterson schools maintenance manager" is another major blow to the credibility of urban schools. See, they care little about the fact that urban schools have been starved for funds for decades. They don't care about the fact that suburban districts, where residents could afford to pay for what we in urbans considered luxuries (small class sizes, adequate supplies and materials, properly heated and cooled building to name a few), have been able to provide their children with quality educational opportunities. And they don't care that our kids have suffered all this time; that generations of urban kids have been denied their right to a "thorough and efficient" education. What they care about now is that they are being asked to pay for our kids, and that burns their collective butts! Our kids deserve the same opportunities as anyone else's kids. Our parents, unfortunately, can't pay for much of those opportunities, so the state must continue to provide funding. P.E.A. is glad that those who have defrauded the system are being made to pay. We have been calling for these actions since May, 2004 when the allegations came to light. We do have to wonder, however why it appears that the District is going after Olympic Window (charging the company bilked the District of $6 million and seeking triple damages) but not the Schools Construction Corporation (SCC) selected contractors, architects and engineers who created rain forest-like jungles of pipes with, in many cases, no apparent design or plan. SCC has wasted millions of tax-payer dollars on so-called health and safety repairs which will, in the next few years if the funds don't run out, be torn out, or down, in the construction phase of the work. THEY share in this disaster. But THEY won't suffer ... only our kids, and our members, will. Don't be fooled by the political rhetoric. Con Con is a dagger aimed at the heart of urban schools. There are efforts being made to permit those who are elected as Delegates to Con Con to include (1) spending, and (2) statutes, in their debate along with how to provide a more equitable method of taxation. Sounds reasonable, huh? Except that the easiest way to solve the spending issue is to delete four words "thorough and efficient education" from the state constitution. These words were the basis upon which the Supreme Court based its Abbott decision. If they're gone, so is the basis for the mandate. Problem solved! Statutes include our pensions, our tenure, our post-retirement medical benefits, our right to negotiate contracts, and school funding formulas as well. And if you don't think those will be targets, I've got some swamp land ... The Herald editorial goes on to say cleaning up the STATE mess "...is vital for the urban children for whom this state money is intended. It's also crucial for preserving the morale and reputation of the many teachers and administrators in Paterson and other Abbott districts who aren't in education for personal gain but for one thing - teaching kids." We agree. But relying on the State which created this mess is not enough. We have to fight against the Schundlers, and efforts like Con Con, to protect ourselves and our kids. And so it goes ...
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