The plan includes supporting a constitutional amendment that would end judicial involvement in school-funding decisions and give the state wiggle room to reduce funding in lean budget years. The resolution, sponsored by Sen. Steven Oroho (R., Sussex) and cosponsored by the other 15 members of the GOP caucus, was introduced in January but hasn't gained traction. It would require voter approval.
The e-mail "was meant as a framework for discussion within the caucus in light of the latest Supreme Court decision," said Adam Bauer, spokesman for the Senate Republicans. "It's a proposed plan for discussion. Nothing's formalized, nothing's finalized."
Kean did not return messages for comment Saturday or Sunday.
Many Republicans, including Gov. Christie, have disagreed with Supreme Court rulings that have repeatedly ordered more funding for poor districts, known as Abbotts, in cities lacking a sufficient tax base to fully fund public education. The Abbott districts include Camden, Pemberton Township, Gloucester City, and Burlington City.
The court recently determined that Christie's education cuts were too deep to provide poor children with the "thorough and efficient" education the state constitution requires. The order scrambled the state budget-making process weeks before a balanced budget must be adopted by June 30 and left some clamoring for the Legislature to assume a stiffer posture against what they called an activist court.
"I have a plan for the Republicans: Keep the funding formula intact," said Senate Democratic Leader Barbara Buono, an advocate for public-education funding. "And we need to build in models of successful school districts. The great equalizer is having a quality educational system that is accessible for all."
