For More Information Contact :
David Sciarra
973-624-1815, ext. 16

For Release:  July 7, 2003

COMMITTEE FORMED TO PREPARE NEW ABBOTT RULES

NEWARK – In response to the June 24^th NJ Supreme Court order, a committee has been formed to prepare new regulations to implement the Abbott v. Burke rulings, and the agreements on whole school reform hammered out in mediation during May between NJ DOE and Education Law Center (ELC).  The committee, comprised of representatives of key stakeholders, is charged with reaching consensus on a new set of rules to guide program plans, budgets and other essential issues in Abbott districts and schools.  The Committee will meet today for the first time.

Professional mediators will lead the work of the committee.  The mediators are Sanford Jaffe and Linda Stamato, Center for Negotiation and Conflict Resolution, the Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy, Rutgers University, New Brunswick. The members of the committee are:

Marion Bolden, Superintendent of Schools, Newark
Dr. James Lytle, Superintendent of Schools, Trenton
Dr. Clarence Hoover, Superintendent of Schools, Vineland
Deborah Harvest, Principal, Johnnie Cochran School, East Orange
Rebecca Guest, Principal, Indian Avenue School, Bridgeton
Silvia Abatto, Principal, Hudson School, Union City
Robert Broderick, New Jersey Education Association, Trenton
Mitchel Gerry, Newark Teachers Union/AFT, Newark
Donna Chiara, Teacher, Perth Amboy
Samatha Lott, Parent, Newark
Evelyn Robinson, Board Member, Passaic
Dr. Bari Erlichson, Rutgers University
Dr. Dan Gutmore, Seton Hall University
Jose Delgado, Former Board Member, Camden
Melinda Morales, Parent, Paterson
Honorable Craig Stanley, Member of the NJ Assembly
Honorable Ronald Rice, Member of the NJ Senate
Dr. Mark Tucker, America’s Choice (WSR model)      

Assistant Commissioner Gordon MacInnes will represent the DOE, and Dr. Steve Block and Junius Williams will represent ELC on the committee.

Under the Court order, the committee has until July 31^st to complete its work, although DOE and ELC can extend this deadline upon agreement if more time is required to finish work on the rules.

“Prior Abbott rules have been vague, incomplete and confusing.  This committee has a unique opportunity to correct those flaws, and to develop a clear set of expectations that will guide the DOE, districts, schools and communities in implementing the historic Abbott programs and reforms,” said ELC Executive Director David Sciarra.