Another article on this topic appeared on page A-1 of the Record on Thursday 11/2/2006, entitled "
Consolidation raises fears of loss of identity".
Evidently there was a public hearing on the matter at Bergen Community College in Paramus on Wednesday evening 11/1, which was very poorly advertised. Those of us following the issue on this website lost our opportunity to attend.
Joseph Coppola of the Bergen County Education Associated came out in very strong worded opposition against the concept, saying that larger-scale operations are more difficult to manage.
There's a big push statewide to consolidate all local school districts on the County level. If this happened, there would only be 21 school districts in NJ, one per County. Under the plan, Bergen County would only have one Superintendant of Schools, instead of 69 or 70. (I guess there would be some sort of Vice-Assistant position on the local level, but paid much less). There would still be local school boards, but they would be advisory. Instead the County Board of Education would control everything.
According to the Record article, many residents spoke against the concept, fearing "loss of local identity" for the schools, and a reduction in the level of service.
I would imagine that the highest-performing schools would be the most opposed to the concept, much as Tenafly was so massively opposed to Englewood's litigation 10 years ago attemtping to force regionalization of Tenafly, Englewood, and Englewood Cliffs.
Governor Corzine wants each County Superintendant to be a gubernatorial appointment. Hmmm, that gives Corzine more power. I say why not have this position ELECTED. Is it really in the best interest of the public good for the County Superintendants to be so indebted to the Governor, no matter what political party holds the position of Governor. What possible advantage is there to having it a gubernatorial appointment, other than to increase the power for whatever Governor is in power.