Lakewood, NJ – Agudath Israel of New Jersey today praised the decision of Governor Jon S. Corzine to establish the Non-Public Education Funding Commission to manage funding for the 1200 non-public schools in New Jersey.� Governor Corzine yesterday signed an Executive Order establishing the Commission to evaluate the needs of non-public school children and how the state might assist in improving their education. Agudath Israel of New Jersey director Josh Pruzansky issued the following statement:

�Non-public schools educate 172,000 students throughout the state.� By educating these children, non-public schools save New Jersey taxpayers more than $2.75 billion each year in education costs, in addition to billions of dollars saved in capital costs that would be necessary if these students were to attend public schools.

�Non-public schools not only educate our children, but also provide employment to more than 20,000 people, making them one of the largest job sectors in the state.

�However, funding for these schools comes primarily from parents who pay significant tuition fees for their children to attend and, in the faith-based schools, from private fundraising.� Due to the state of the economy, income from both of these sources has diminished dramatically.

�It should be noted that the parents of non-public school students not only carry the financial burden of their own children�s education, but also�by living in the highest taxed state in the country�carry the financial burden of public education as well.� Among the Orthodox Jewish community, many people live in municipalities that earmark over 60 percent of their property tax dollars for public education. That can amount to more than $7,000 per family in addition to the $20,000 to $50,000 in after-tax dollars that they pay for their children�s tuition.

�The only funding these families and non-public schools currently receive from the State is $142 in textbook and nursing aid, and some children are provided transportation that can cost up to $885 per child.

�Clearly, the time has come for these families and schools to receive a fairer share, and we hope that the Commission will come back in June with substantive ideas to provide that funding.� As Governor-elect Chris Christie is a strong proponent of school choice, we are hopeful that this is just the beginning of a trend to improve education for all of New Jersey�s children.�

The Non-Public Education Funding Commission was established on Tuesday by Executive Order of the Governor, and is charged with reviewing and recommending how non-public schools can maximize access to and use of increasingly scarce resources.� The 23-member Committee is to be co-chaired by Assemblyman Gary Schaer and the New Jersey Catholic Conference�s director of education, Dr. George Corwell, with members including the State Education Commissioner, Attorney General, Treasurer, and representatives of non-public school organizations.

Agudath Israel of New Jersey is the regional affiliate of Agudath Israel of America.

(YWN Desk – NYC)