Newark Public Charter School Alum Testifies in Trenton

Trenton, New Jersey – Thursday, March 20, 2025 – Members of the Assembly Budget Committee heard testimony yesterday from Aaronae Everson, an alumna of Great Oaks Legacy Charter School in Newark, New Jersey and current freshman at Rutgers University-Newark, urging them to restore public charter school facilities funding that was cut under Governor Murphy’s proposed budget.

“Every student in New Jersey deserves the resources to be in a quality building that will set them up for success. Public charter schools do not receive adequate state funding for facilities and are forced to spend an average of $2,000 per pupil on their buildings. Our schools are forced to pull resources away from students and educators in the classroom,” Everson stated.

In her testimony at the Statehouse in Trenton, Everson, who currently studies psychology with plans to someday work assisting recently incarcerated individuals, urged lawmakers to restore public charter schools emergent and capital maintenance aid that is currently facing a $5 million proposed cut. This is critical funding to support public charter schools like Great Oaks Legacy when a boiler or air conditioning breaks down, for example.

“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 Aaronae’s testimony and urge the Legislature and Governor Murphy to continue listening to the needs of public charter school students and their families as the budget process continues,” said Harry Lee, President and CEO of the New Jersey Public Charter Schools Association.

“We are proud of Aaronae for being the latest Great Oaks Legacy alum to elevate this important discussion on the pressing facilities funding needs of public charter schools,” said Jared Taillefer, Great Oaks Legacy Charter School Executive Director. “We look forward to working with lawmakers in the coming months to provide additional critical facility resources to ensure students across New Jersey have safe and modern school buildings.”

Everson concluded, “It was an extraordinary experience to testify before the committee and advocate for a school that has positively shaped my life. Great Oaks Legacy Charter School helped foster my desire to get involved in my community and gave me the confidence and skills to be a leader.“