Princeton Schools Ask for More Input on Charter Schools

have submitted an emergency resolution to the New Jersey School Boards Association in the hopes of allowing new charter schools to form only when approved by either the voters or the local school board.

Princeton school officials also want voters and school board members to be more involved in charter school decisions.

The NJSBA's delegate assembly, which meets twice a year, is expected to vote on the resolution on Saturday.

If the association approves the Princeton resolution and makes it part of the association’s policy, it would clear the way for the organization to lobby the state legislature to support passage of similar legislation.

According to the language of the Princeton Schools resolution, approved by the school board on May 3, this action is necessary because the state's Department of Education has been approving charter schools over the past year and intends to increase the number of charter schools.

There are no criteria for forming a charter school or established monitoring based on student academic performance, Princeton officials argue.

And voters and local elected school boards have little or no say over new charter schools, despite the fact that the schools are funded with taxpayer dollars.

Princeton Regional Schools have operated alongside the for 14 years. Now the Princeton International Academy Charter School (PIACS) in South Brunswick is moving forward with plans to open in September.

Although the NJSBA vote won’t happen until Saturday, the association’s emergency subcommittee recommends approval of the resolution as follows:

“The NJSBA believes voter approval should be required at the annual school election, or by the board of school estimate, prior to the establishment of a charter school, as well as additional steps to incorporate local voter and elected school board opinion into chartering decisions.”