Gov. Christie's report finds private, parochial schools save N.J. $2.7B annually
Published: Tuesday, July 20, 2010, 7:58 PM Updated: Tuesday, July 20, 2010, 8:00 PM
TRENTON — In a report released today by Gov. Chris Christie, a study commission on non-public schools found that private and parochial schools save New Jersey $2.7 billion annually, while providing "expanded educational options" for children.
The report also recommended that some form of tax scholarships or tax credits be enacted in the state, which would help parents choose to send their children to nonpublic schools.
Christie, who has backed a controversial bill that would allow school choice, said "the section of the report supporting tax credits for scholarship programs is especially important.
"Many states provide such tax credits, and we support providing them in New Jersey, as well," he said in a press release. Christie said he would take the recommendations under consideration.
The Governor’s Study Commission on New Jersey’s Nonpublic Schools was created by former Gov. Jon Corzine in December 2009, and chaired by Assemblyman Gary Schaer, (D-Passaic.)
There are 24 members listed on the commission report, 15 of them affiliated with private or parochial schools.
Steve Baker, a spokesman for the New Jersey Education Association, the state’s largest teacher’s union, said "their findings are hardly surprising.
"The commission is made up largely of people who represent organizations with a financial interest directing public tax dollars to private schools," Baker said. "The fact remains that almost 90 percent of New Jersey students attend public schools. At a time when the governor is drastically reducing aid to those schools...it is unconscionable to consider using
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