Controversial Gulen Charter Schools Double in Size in New Jersey Under Pro-Privatization GOP Gov. Chris Christie
$115 million price tag from taxpayer funds diverted from local school districts
On the heels of an explosive investigation of Gulen Charter Schools in New Jersey by The Record newspaper, comes a CBS-TV report claiming that teachers at Gulen charters were forced to turn over up to 40 percent of their salary to the Gulen movement, a controversial religious and social movement with roots in Turkey.Leaving aside the insanely complex political issues, I’d like to add to the phenomenal job The Record has done investigating New Jersey’s Gulen charters. Unbeknownst to most of us, New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, the “least popular governor in America,” has exponentially increased the number of Gulen charters in New Jersey. This will, without a doubt, dramatically increase the price tag as well, but by how much?
Let’s find out.
When Christie took office four Gulen affiliated schools existed. They were: Thomas Edison EnergySmart Charter School (TEECS) founded in 2002, Paterson Charter School for Science and Technology (2003), Central Jersey College Prep (2006), and Bergen Arts and Science (2007).
Gov. Christie opened three new Gulen charters and has approved a fourth to open in September, 2017. These are: Passaic Arts and Science Controversial Gulen Charter Schools Double in Size in New Jersey Under Pro-Privatization GOP Gov. Chris Christie - Network For Public Education: