JERSEY CITY – On Tuesday, Oct. 16, the state legislature’s Joint Committee on the Public Schools will hold a special hearing in Jersey City to listen to the concerns of local parents. The hearing will take place from 10:30 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. at the Joseph H. Brensinger School (PS 17), at 600 Bergen Ave.
A 14-member committee comprised of state senators and Assembly representatives, the committee provides ongoing monitoring of the state’s public school systems, their financing, administration, and operations. When appropriate, the committee also recommends legislative policies When the state took over the local school districts in Jersey City (1989), Paterson (1991), and Newark (1995), the Joint Committee began continuous interaction with the superintendents, school boards, and communities in these cities. Since 1995 the Joint Committee has played an active role in the development of laws governing the creation of charter schools in the state of New Jersey.
Most recently the Joint Committee has created a Sub-Committee on Jersey City at the urging of the locally-based Parent Advocacy Group.
The Oct. 16 meeting is likely to draw a large crowd. Therefore, the committee asks that members of the public who wish to speak before the committee members sign up prior to Oct. 16. To sign up to speak at the public hearing, call Melanie Schulz at (609) 633-6787 or e-mail her at MSchulz@njleg.org.