Charter Schools
If you’ve been reading our pieces about New Jersey’s segregated schools, or shrinking South Jersey enrollment, you might not be surprised to learn that there are people who have Serious Questions about Camden’s enrollment system that lets parents “choose” their kid’s school. You should read this Maddie Hanna piece for the Inquirer.
School Funding
We are rolling toward the state budget deadline (marking the first birthday of the Christie beachgate meme) and don’t worry, guys, it’s going to be so different this year. Senate President Steve Sweeney has a plan for school funding that he totally will not use just as some political bargaining chip. At this point, even the experts and NJ Spotlight haven’t fully digested the details of the plan (it was introduced yesterday), but the general sense seems to be that it might give more money to South Jersey’s larger schools and would probably not be great for the shrinking ones. Or maybe that was a previous version. Read Sweeney’s bill for yourself if you’re having a slow day (and then get back to us on the details).
That Wheel, Though
The Washington Post has a loooooong feature on the fate of Atlantic City. I haven’t actually read it but Bill has, and he said it’s exactly the same as every other story you’ve read about Atlantic City, right down to the obligatory Boardwalk Empire references and this cheesy second ‘graph: “Hope springs eternal in a place that runs on luck…” Anyhow. The one thing that struck me is that the photo that illustrates the header of the piece is not a casino but the Steel Pier wheel. Has anything become so iconic so quickly? Fingers crossed it doesn’t get taken out this hurricane season.
In the rest of the day’s news… A South Jersey realtor’s sign lost during Sandy has washed up on a French shore, New Jersey is expected to see above-average hurricane activity this year (even though hurricane activity in general will be down from last year) and the Inquirer wonders whether the term “freeholder” is offensive. All that and more below:
Lawmakers Wrestle With Troubling Topic: Sexual Abuse At School–It was an unusual hearing by nearly all accounts, a hastily called joint session of two state Senate committees to hear startling accusations that too many of the state’s educators — and their unions — might look the other way on child sexual abuse within their own ranks. www.njspotlight.com
Property Tax Breaks For Vets Who Move To Retirement Communities “Right Thing To Do”–New Jersey veterans should continue to receive their property-tax breaks after moving out of their homes and into continuing-care communities, agreed state Senators who approved two measures in committee that are designed to help veterans and their surviving spouses. www.njspotlight.com
Atlantic City Man Indicted For Reckless Manslaughter In Fatal Shooting–Two Atlantic City men have been indicted in connection with a fatal shooting from March. Howard Cassell, 30, is accused of shooting Da’Quan Montague, 23, on March 12. breakingac.com
Murphy Signs Law To Create NJ’s Own Health Insurance Mandate–In effort to stabilize health insurance market and ensure coverage remains affordable, NJ becomes second state to creates its own individual mandate. www.njspotlight.com
2018 Hurricane Season Expected To Be Active–Researchers are not forecasting as active a hurricane season as 2017. However, with what was Tropical Storm Alberto carving a path from the Panhandle of Florida to Michigan, and hurricane season starting June 1, New Jersey is expected to be in for another above-average year. www.pressofatlanticcity.com
NJ Realty Sign Lost During Hurricane Sandy Found On Beach In France–A sign from a New Jersey realty group that was lost during Hurricane Sandy was found on a beach in France in May, according to a representative from the realty group. Diane Turton, Realtors, which operates in Ocean and Monmouth counties, received an email two weeks ago from a man who said their sign had washed up on the beach in Bordeaux, France. www.pressofatlanticcity.com
Atlantic City-Brigantine Connector To Be Closed For Maintenance–The Atlantic City - Brigantine Connector Tunnel will be closed in both directions for two hours next week, the South Jersey Transportation Authority announced in a press release. www.pressofatlanticcity.com
Atlantic County GOP To Create Young Republican Club–Atlantic County Republicans are in the process of creating a local Young Republicans club with the focus on getting millennial residents engaged in this year’s midterm elections. Keith Davis, Chairman of the Atlantic County Republican Committee, said he will ask the full committee to approve the new club when they meet on June 12 for their annual reorganization. www.pressofatlanticcity.com
Galloway Mom Accused Of Assaulting Toddler Refuses To Come To Court–A Galloway woman accused of assaulting her 2-year-old daughter refused to come to court Thursday, her attorney told the judge. Yolanda Torres, 33, is accused of assaulting the little girl last July. breakingac.com
Driver Accused Of Drunken Crash Into Parked Cop Car Faces Additional Charges–The 22-year-old man who authorities said was drunk when he smashed into a police car and seriously injured an officer in Atlantic County almost three months ago is facing additional charges. www.nj.com
Somers Point Man Admits To Prostituting Minors–A Somers Point man admitted to promoting the prostitution of minors in and around Atlantic City. Kal Mitchell, 31, pleaded guilty Wednesday, in the case that was the culmination of a four-month investigation. breakingac.com