School construction forum tomorrow evening

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A community forum on school construction issues in Plainfield will be held tomorrow, June 15th, at 6:00 PM at the First Unitarian Society, 724 Park Avenue.

Joan Ponessa, Director of Research at the Education Law Center will give an overview of the current status of school construction in Plainfield, especially in light of the Corzine administration's proposed budget. The Education Law Center has fought for years for full implementation of the New Jersey Supreme Court's several "Abbott v. Burke" rulings, in particular mandating state funding of a school construction program to eliminate deficiencies in all Abbott school buildings.

A question-and-answer period will follow Ms. Ponessa's presentation. Though the Emerson School project is now going forward, many Plainfield residents are concerned over whether a proposed middle school will ever be built, what the status of plans for replacing Evergreen School is, and plans for the upgrading of the High School and other buildings in the District.

State Senator Nicholas Scutari, Assemblyman Jerry Green, and Assemblywoman Linda Stender have been invited to answer residents' questions about the proposed state budget's impact on school construction in Plainfield.

Board of Education members and District Superintendent Dr. Paula Howard have also been invited to participate.

The forum is sponsored by New Democrats for Plainfield, a grassroots Democratic club working for the betterment of Plainfield, and the Social Justice Committee of the First Unitarian Society of Plainfield. The People's Organization for Progress, Plainfield Chapter, has endorsed the event.

This forum is free and open to the public, and light refreshments will be served.

Parking is available in the public lot across the street from the church.

For more information about New Democrats for Plainfield or future community forums, contact Bob Bender at (908) 755-5846, or visit their website at www.newdemocrats4plainfield.org.

-- Dan Damon

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