TRENTON — Gov. Chris Christie created a committee today that will be tasked with reviewing all of the state's education regulations. The task force will return recommendations to eliminate regulations which take decision-making power away from the local districts, Christie said. "What I want to have happen here is to return more of the power back to school districts...
N.J. Gov. Chris Christie in this Feb. 15 file photo.TRENTON — Gov. Chris Christie created a committee today that will be tasked with reviewing all of the state's education regulations.
The task force will return recommendations to eliminate regulations which take decision-making power away from the local districts, Christie said.
"What I want to have happen here is to return more of the power back to school districts and less from the central office in Trenton, so that we can encourage people to innovate," Christie said. "We've gotten into a pattern over the course of time with increasing money coming from Trenton over the last 20 to 25 years years with increasing regulation coming from Trenton. I don't think that's the best way for us to go at transforming education.
The task force will look at accountability systems, safety requirements, fiscal responsibility and other education requirements, Christie said.
Christie said it will eliminate unnecessary mandates that are currently on the books. He said some of the changes will be done through new regulations and others through executive order.
Not on the table for the task force is the controversial superintendent pay cap that Christie instituted last year. Some districts argued against the cap, saying it was another example of regulations from Trenton interfering with local decision making.
"I looked at that already, and I made that decision," Christie said.
Previous coverage:
• Gov. Christie pledges reinvestment in higher education, talks tenure reform at Nutley town hall
• Braun: School reform effort between Christie, Booker is against the law
• Gov. Christie honors N.J. civil rights leader, pushes education reform
• Braun: Christie, administration defend, disparage N.J. data to bolster schools agenda
• Acting N.J. education chief unveils Christie's plan to reform teacher tenure, introduce merit pay