In re the Grant of a Charter to the Merit Preparatory Charter School

The opinion of the court was delivered by

ASHRAFI, J.A.D.

Appellant the New Jersey Education Association (“NJEA”) appeals from the grant of charters by the New Jersey Commissioner of Education to the Merit Preparatory Charter School of Newark and the Newark Preparatory Charter School. NJEA expresses concern for the diversion of public funds and resources from traditional public schools, and it contends the Legislature authorized charters only for traditional “brick-and-mortar” schools, not ones that use online teaching methodology. Merit Prep and Newark Prep, however, are not online internet…