The Warren County Board of County Commissioners adopted a resolution supporting National School Choice Week and recognizing January 22- 28, 2023 as Warren County School Choice Week.

The County Commissioners are proud to join the nationwide celebration of National School Choice Week, a non-partisan effort aimed at raising awareness about the many different types of educational options available to families and communities. This year’s celebration is highlighting the many ways that parents can choose the best possible learning environment for their children.

“I am proud that once again Warren County will be celebrating National School Choice Week along with so many others across this nation,” said Commissioner James R. Kern III, who proposed the county’s resolution. “We do this to recognize that every child is different with unique values, challenges, motivations, and needs. Offering school options is quite simply an opportunity to support our students. Children spend so much of their lives at school and making sure they get the best education is key to their success,” Kern explained.

School choice is not about elevating one type of schooling over another, but rather empowering parents to make choices that are best for every individual child. “School choice is a practical issue, not a political issue,” Commissioner Director Lori Ciesla said.

“Each child is different and has a different learning style, and each experiences life differently. It only makes sense that not all children will thrive in the same place,” Ciesla said. “My two children had vastly different experiences at the same schools,” Ciesla added. “We must do all we can to allow our children to find the environment that suits them best so they may reach their full potential. I fully support school choice and hoped that Governor Murphy would recognize this week at the state level,” she said.

“It is important that parents, rather than politicians and bureaucrats, are in charge of their children’s education,” said Commissioner Jason Sarnoski. “It is time the education system puts students and families first,” he said, adding that was why he convened a panel last fall to examine parental rights in education.

National School Choice Week is an important reminder that every child deserves a quality education, and that parents have the right to choose the education that will best serve their children. School choice not only empowers parents and gives them more say over their children’s education, it also leads to improved educational outcomes. School choice creates direct accountability to parents, which gives schools a strong incentive to meet the needs of their students since unsatisfied parents can take their children and education dollars elsewhere.

The COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on education, and a recent survey by the National School Choice Awareness Foundation showed that more than half of parents are currently exploring new options for their child’s education. Additionally, 86 percent of parents surveyed expressed concern about their child’s post-COVID learning. The most recent edition of the Nation’s Report Card (NAEP), released in 2022 for the first time since the pandemic, showed that public school students in New Jersey have experienced greater learning losses than the national average.

“The past two years have set back this generation and it’s crucial that we act to give them the best environment to learn,” Kern remarked.

The resolution passed makes clear that “all children in Warren County should have access to the highest quality education possible,” and recognizes “the important role that an effective education plays in preparing all student in Warren County to be successful adults.”

The Warren County Board of Commissioners encourages all families in Warren County to take advantage of this opportunity to learn more about the different options available to them.

PHOTO: Commissioner James R. Kern III introducing the resolution supporting National School Choice Week as Commissioner Director Lori Ciesla and Commissioner Jason J. Sarnoski listen.