State Senator Nia Gill, who represents Montclair, East Orange, Glen Ridge, Clifton and Woodland Park, has filed a legal challenge against the NJ Department of Education over the department’s failure to grant an open records request to get the names of people who review charter school applications. Some of the reviewers are volunteers.
“Charter schools are public schools and all charter schools are funded by taxpayers through our local public school districts,” Gill said in a news release. “Therefore, The Department of Education has a responsibility to ensure there is transparency in how they select charter schools.”
In July, the Department of Education partially denied Gill’s OPRA request, refusing to give out names of volunteer reviewers, saying that they had a “reasonable expectation of privacy.” But Gill says the state is still bound to make the process of charter school selection transparent.
“The information sought in the challenge concerns individuals performing a public function and influencing the expenditure of millions of dollars of public funds,” said Gill. “These individuals are not Department of Education employees and may have conflicts of interest between their public function in reviewing charter school applications and their respective occupations or organizational affiliations.”
The complaint was filed Sept. 12 in state superior court in Mercer County.
Dear Ms. Gill, Would you please sue the Town of Monctlair and the BOE, too? Thanks.
No ‘roo. We can’t afford it.
Nia Gill is absolutely right. She shouldn’t have to sue for this information.
What’s of concern is that she is likely right twice: We shouldn’t have to sue to get this information, and there is likely a reason why we’re not supposed to have it.
I’m quite surprised that undisclosed outsiders are playing so significant a role in potential restructuring of our towns’ – this isn’t just Montclair – education. Could you imagine if BOE membership were kept secret?
Now, the specific role played by these people is an issue. Are they making decisions? Are they merely advisory?
But even advisory groups working for the town council or the BOE are known to the public.
…Andrew