Under New Jersey’s charter school law, new charter schools are approved entirely by the state’s Commissioner of Education, currently Acting Commissioner Chris Cerf.  Local communities have no decision making power in the current charter school approval process, yet funding comes directly out of local public school budgets. 

Acting Commissioner Cerf approved the Regis Academy Charter School application in September 2011.  The districts of Cherry Hill, Voorhees, Somerdale and Lawnside are unanimously opposed to the Regis Academy Charter School, but are forced to set aside $2.73 million for Regis’ opening.

We question the diversion of funds from successful districts to an unproven charter operator, especially at a time when budgets are tight and districts are held to a 2% cap.  Thousands of school children will lose services and programs to create an unwanted, unneeded charter that proposes to benefit a relative handful of students. 

While Regis’ application was approved, they have not yet been granted the final charter they need to open in September 2012.  We urge Acting Commissioner Cerf to deny final approval to Regis Academy Charter School on July 15th and not give Regis an additional planning year. 

The residents of the effected districts are overwhelmingly opposed to Regis Academy Charter School and will continue to fight to maintain the excellent public schools that are the cornerstone of these communities.