(TRENTON) – Assembly Democrats John Wisniewski, Lou Greenwald, Pam Lampitt and Bonnie Watson Coleman on Wednesday praised an appeals court ruling that rejected claims by a New Jersey school administrators’ group that new regulations they ushered into law limiting school chief compensation were unconstitutional.
The four lawmakers were among those who sponsored a 2007 law giving the state authority to limit compensation for school administrators as a means to combat property taxes. The New Jersey Association of School Administrators challenged the law, but an appeals court on Tuesday upheld its legality.
“This plan has always been based on the simple concept that we needed to begin eliminating the avalanche of overlap, waste, and abuse that keep New Jersey’s property taxes high,” said Wisniewski (D-Middlesex). “This ruling will help ensure that money meant for classrooms actually makes it into the classroom without being wasted.”
“This is a much-welcomed and significant victory for property taxpayers,” said Greenwald (D-Camden). “When we put these restrictions into law several years ago, they were meant to save taxpayer dollars and improve education. With this ruling in hand, hopefully we will see its true benefits blossom for the benefit of children and taxpayers alike.”
“This was a fight that never should have been fought, but I’m very pleased to see the court side with taxpayers and our efforts to control property taxes,” said Lampitt (D-Camden). “This is a crucial step forward in our continuing efforts to control property taxes and ensure New Jersey’s public education system remains strong.”
“We all, unfortunately, have heard way too many examples of money meant for children being wasted on administrative costs, so I’m happy the appeals court saw things our way,” said Watson Coleman (D-Mercer). “This is a win for taxpayers, children, parents and all school chiefs who do the right thing when it comes to spending our money.”
The law was also sponsored by former Assembly Speaker Joseph J. Roberts Jr. (D-Camden), who retired from the Legislature in January.
The court ruling can be viewed at http://www.judiciary.state.nj.us/opinions/a2101-08.pdf.
