Charter Schools: The Debate Comes Home

Assemblywoman Mila Jasey (D-Essex), speaking in Livingston on Monday night, said there is a lot to be learned from charter schools, but “this may not be a good time for us to go into those districts -- as the Acting Education Commission described them to be --  ‘humming along successfully.’ "

Jasey said the remarks by Christopher Cerf, the acting commission, at the last week, “was a major concession on his point to at least have that dialogue and I intend to push that dialogue on the state level.”

On Monday night, elected officials and residents continued the talk on charters at the local level as the Livingston Board of Education prepares a response to applications by two charter schools that would offer Mandarin Chinese immersion.

Jasey was invited to participate in the public forum at Livingston High School. The meeting was presided by the township’s elected leaders, the five Board of Education members and five Township Council members, a forum called a to discuss town issues. 

About 60 Livingston residents attended the meeting Monday night, including some of the founders of one of the proposed charter schools.

Speaking to Patch following the meeting, Yanbin Ma, a co-founder of the Hanyu International Academy Charter School, expressed how difficult the debate has been. “I know the opposition,” he said. The criticism has been particularly hostile in online media, including Livingston Patch.

Before deciding to apply for charter approval with NJ Department of Education, the Hanyu founders explored ways to introduce Chinese language programs to school districts and after-school alternatives, Ma said.

“The Hanyu founders understand our local school districts are doing well,” according to a prepared statement sent to school board members in Livingston, Millburn and West Orange. “The proposed Hanyu charter school will provide local students a choice in public school system with an emphasis on bilingual immersion.”

"Our school is not just for the Chinese, but for all families who value bilingual education in primary years," Ma said.

During the public session, Jasey said, “This is kind of a perfect storm right now."

'We’re at the point were, while many of us might say: ‘This is a great idea. We’d love to have this opportunity and be able to provide this particular education for our children’ -- we simply cannot afford it.”

Jasey continued, “One of the issues that I think needs to be addressed, calmly, rationally, and with data, is the want  versus need part of this.”

The Livingston Board of Education has until May 31 to respond to the application.

Board President Leslie Winograd said, “There is a hope, in some of the poorer districts, that charter schools can help to close the achievement gap. I don’t think Livingston fits that model. I don’t think we have an achievement gap … and I think all 5,700 students in this district have an equal chance for success.”

The delegates of the voted overwhelmingly on Saturday in favor of a resolution that charter schools should be approved by voters and school boards should have input into charter school decisions.

“I am against any charter school in Livingston that we don’t all vote on,” said Stephen Santola, Livingston’s deputy mayor. “I’m particularly against any charter school that attempts to serve any single ethnic, religious or cultural segment of our population.”

During public comments, several residents urged community members to sign petitions and write to the local lawmakers. At times, passions ran high.

 “We should try to calm down a little bit and not let it rip us apart as a community,” said Barry Funt, the newly elected school board member.

Charter schools will be discussed further by the Board of Education at its next meeting on Monday, May 23.