Representatives from the New Jersey Public Charter Schools Association (NJPCSA) were joined by 30 public charter school parents, alumni and advocates from Camden, Paterson, Newark, Trenton, Plainfield, and Jersey City at the Statehouse on Monday for Public Charter School Parent Lobby Day.

“I was proud to meet with legislators today to share my story and talk about the transformative work public charter schools like mine are doing for children in communities across the state. I’m proud to be the community grandmother of my charter school and even prouder that now I can use my voice to advocate for kids in communities beyond my own,” said Dennise Walls, whose grandchild attends Thrive Charter School in Trenton, NJ. “Every child in New Jersey deserves a great school that works for them, and public charter schools are helping make that possible.”

Public charter school supporters walked the halls of the State House, attended committee hearings, and engaged lawmakers on the critical role public charter schools play in the state’s educational landscape, particularly the tremendous work they are doing to end educational disparities in New Jersey.

While in the State House, parent advocates also urged lawmakers to restore aid for repairs and maintenance in public charter school buildings, which is currently facing a $4 million cut in the Governor’s proposed budget. The Charter School Emergent Project and Capital Maintenance Fund helps public charter schools make roof repairs and HVAC upgrades, fix broken windows and doors, and address other critical safety concerns. The funding has been cut for the past several years and is again facing more than a 50 percent reduction from last year’s levels.

"It's time for public charter schools to receive the fair treatment they deserve. All students, whether in public charter or traditional district schools, deserve funding for safe, healthy, and modern educational spaces," said Harry Lee, President and CEO of NJPCSA. "The lack of funding for public charter school facilities strains school budgets and diverts crucial resources from students and educators. We must address this issue to ensure all children have the best possible chance to succeed."

Public charter schools, which educate 1 in 5 students in New Jersey’s most under-resourced communities, have historically been excluded from school construction funding. On average, public charter schools must spend $2,000 per student from their operating budgets on building needs, diverting resources that could be used to increase teacher salaries, purchase classroom supplies, and technology.

"We have students in buildings that are well over 100 years old where pipes burst, boilers break, windows won’t open, and roofs leak," said T.J. Best, Senior Advisor at NJPCSA. "This is about fairness and equity for all of New Jersey's students, regardless of the type of school they attend.”

"As an alumni ambassador for the New Jersey Public Charter Schools Association I’m excited to advocate for charter school students across the state so they have the resources to learn in a quality school building," said Riyah Myrie, an alum of Robert Treat Academy Charter School in Newark. “I’m grateful to represent charter students and families, and I hope lawmakers make school facilities funding a priority for all students.”

For more information, please visit www.njcharters.org and follow the New Jersey Public Charter Schools Association on Facebook and Twitter for more updates.