Recently, Acting Commissioner Christopher Cerf denied the applications to two boutique Mandarin immersion schools: Hanyu International Academy (HIACS) and Hua Mei School. We are happy for the taxpayers in Livingston, Millburn, Maplewood, and West, South, and East Orange. They have been spared the cost of providing a private education to a select few at public expense.
We want to thank the commissioner for finally realizing that in this economic environment, there is no room for taxpayer-subsidized private schools masquerading as charter schools.
We would like the education commissioner to give the same consideration to the taxpayers in West Windsor, Plainsboro, Princeton, and South Brunswick by denying another extension and rejecting the charter school proposal by the Princeton International Academy Charter School (PIACS). The taxpayers in these towns deserve the same treatment as was given to taxpayers in northern New Jersey. Further, PIACS would duplicate the Mandarin language arts already offered in our public schools.
We find that a vast majority of voters of all political affiliations are of the opinion that the opening of boutique charter schools in successful school districts, such as those noted above, is an absolute waste of taxpayer dollars. And let us not forget that this cost will increase with each passing year as the charter school expands from K-2 to K-3 to K-4 to K-5.
There seems to be no answer as to why the Department of Education keeps granting PIACS extensions every year, particularly when the opening of this charter school flies in the face of Governor Christie’s stated goal of reducing property taxes. The additional cost of this school would be borne directly by local taxpayers. We therefore request that Commissioner Cerf take such action as he did with HIACS and the Hua Mei School.
The Executive Board of the Village Grande Civic Association unanimously agrees that these proposed charter schools have no place in successful school districts.
Edward M. O’Mara
President, Village Grande Civic Association
