Great Oaks Legacy Charter High School Senior Urges Senate Committee to Support Public Charter School Facilities Needs

Newark, New Jersey – Friday, March 22, 2024 – Earlier this week, members of the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee heard testimony from Great Oaks Legacy Charter High School Senior Nathan Duguid urging them to restore public charter school facilities funding that was cut in Governor Murphy’s proposed budget. **Watch Nathan’s full testimony here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Hxy5Ko4vxGwC0JCIZfMCzqdD-jicnyAv/view?usp=sharing**

“As a public charter school student who plans to one day teach in Newark, I thank committee members for hearing my testimony on the lack of dedicated funding for public charter school facilities. With over $1 billion in needs statewide, I hope my testimony will move legislators to correct this inequity impacting one in every three students in Newark attending a public charter school,” Duguid stated.

During the hearing at the New Jersey Institute of Technology in Newark, Duguid, who serves as President of the school’s Advocacy Club and its Student Council President, urged lawmakers to restore funding cuts for public charter schools emergent and capital maintenance fund , as well as dedicate new funding for a loan program for significant renovation and construction projects.

“Public charter school students in New Jersey have the same needs as their district peers and deserve to be fairly funded in a modern and welcoming environment. I thank the committee for hearing Nathan’s testimony and urge the Legislature and Governor Murphy to continue listening to the needs of public charter school students and their families as this budget moves forward,” said Harry Lee, President and CEO of the New Jersey Public Charter Schools Association.

“We commend Nathan’s willingness to elevate his voice on this important discussion around the pressing facilities needs of public charter schools in New Jersey,” said Jared Taillefer, Great Oaks Legacy Charter School Executive Director. “We look forward to how this topic will evolve given its impact on students across New Jersey.”

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About Great Oaks Legacy Charter School

Great Oaks Legacy Charter School is an open-enrollment, tuition-free, PK4 through grade 12, public charter school system with campuses across Newark, New Jersey. We give our students the academic skills and socio-emotional support they need to build upon their own strengths and abilities so that they are ready and able to achieve their dreams. We bridge the educational opportunity gap by setting rigorous expectations within a framework of individualized support and a community committed to supporting equity and celebrating diversity. We are dedicated to preparing all of our students for success in college, careers, and life. Our track record of student achievement proves our belief that life-changing transformation happens when preparedness and readiness meet opportunity. For more information, visit greatoakslegacy.org or follow us on Facebook.

About the New Jersey Public Charter Schools Association

The New Jersey Public Charter Schools Association (NJPCSA) is the non-profit membership association that represents the state’s public charter school community and, by extension, charter school students and their parents. There are currently 85 public charter schools in New Jersey serving more than 62,000 students. We are committed to advancing quality public education for New Jersey’s children through the cultivation of excellent public charter schools. The Association seeks to influence legislative and policy environments, leverage collective advocacy, and provide resources to support our members in developing and operating high quality, public charter schools.