Pethick
vows to battle for funds
Tuesday, July 26, 2005 • By
LINDA LISANTI • The
Express-Times
PHILLIPSBURG -- Superintendent Gordon
Pethick said he plans to express the district's concern over
possibly losing its Abbott distinction during a meeting with
a top state education official today.
Pethick said he will be attending a New
Jersey Association of School Administrators meeting where
Assistant Commissioner for Abbott Implementation Gordon
McInnes will also be present.
"I plan on doing my best to express our
concerns in Phillipsburg," Pethick said.
Phillipsburg is one of 12 poor school
districts in New Jersey that would lose the Abbott
designation and the extra state aid that comes with it under
legislation introduced earlier this month.
The bill would tighten the qualifications
for a school system to be designated an Abbott
district.
The Abbott districts derive their name
from the landmark Abbott v. Burke court rulings, which
require the state to provide extraordinary help to improve
the poorest schools. Currently, 31 districts statewide get
extra help, including having the state fund pre-kindergarten
classes and school construction projects.
Phillipsburg's Abbott money in 2003-04
accounted for 36.4 percent of the district's net budget --
the second-highest percentage on the list of districts that
would be eliminated under the change.
The state is also footing the bill for
construction of an $18.7 million Early Childhood Center off
Center Street and a roughly $100 million high school off
Belvidere Road in Lopatcong Township.
Pethick told the school board Monday
night that he is monitoring the situation closely and would
keep them posted. Board members agreed with that course of
action.
"We have to be aware of everything that
goes on and need to be very proactive," board president Rod
Pianelli said. "This is something that is of the utmost
concern."
School board member Chafik Zarbatany Jr.
said if Phillipsburg loses its Abbott status, the town will
not be able to support the schools, the teachers or the
buildings.
"I don't trust the state if they can,
they're going to get us off (the list)," he said.
Reporter Linda Lisanti can be reached at 610-258-7171 or
by e-mail at llisanti@express-times.com.
© 2005 The Express-Times. Used with
permission.
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