Education
Thousands of students protest New Jersey education budget cuts
Thousands of high school students across New Jersey walked out of classrooms to protest Gov. Christie’s education budget cut.

Thousands of high school students across New Jersey walked out of classrooms to protest Gov. Christie’s education budget cut.
In February, Christie cut $560 million in previously approved education spending, including $5 million for after-school programs that serve 12,000 children in 115 schools.
The Newark Teachers Union, which represents 5,600 teachers and staff in the state’s largest school system, said that as many as 1,800 nontenured teachers could lose their jobs this spring, the largest number since at least 1970.
Joseph Del Grosso, the president of the union, said the layoffs would lead to larger class sizes, and could affect test scores and graduation rates.
“I understand that if there’s no money, there’s no money, but I think we need to prioritize how we look at education,” he told the New York Times . “In the real world, there are some things you can do more with less, but there are some things you can’t, especially in urban areas where children already come to school with socio-economic baggage.”
Students flooded the streets, football fields, and parking lots with protesting signs and chanted slogans to defend teachers and the education budget cuts.
Hundreds of students in Newark, N.J. filled the streets to protest shortly before noon today. Others students from around New Jersey participated by walking out, locally including: Ocean Township, Asbury Park High School and High Tech High School.
The New Jersey Education Association, the state’s largest teacher union, said the students are “engaging in civil disobedience” but shouldn’t walk out of classes.
“I think the best outcome would be for the students to be in school and find a way to protest outside of school hours,” said Steve Wollmer, a spokesman for the organization.
I absolutely disagree.
Newark and Asbury Park students, especially, I am proud of you. Today, you and other students used your voice to speak up and be heard.
Discover more from Unheard Voices Magazine
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
-
Crime & Justice2 weeks ago
Black couple survives alleged racist attack, car crash in rural Virginia
-
Black And Missing2 weeks ago
Body of missing North Carolina teen Giovanni Pelletier found in Florida retention pond, family confirms
-
Crime & Justice2 weeks ago
Florida teen arrested after allegedly killing parents
-
Crime & Justice3 days ago
Alabama mother sues state workers after 3-year-old son dies in scorching hot car
-
News2 weeks ago
Family seeks justice for San Antonio, TX woman fatally mauled by pitbull dog
-
Community5 days ago
New Jersey mourns Esiyah Dixon-Waheed, pageant queen, HBCU alumna, killed in Missouri drunk-driving crash
-
Crime & Justice2 days ago
Virginia man sentenced to life for murder of New Jersey councilwoman Eunice Dwumfour
-
Community2 weeks ago
A New York City hospital needs help identifying woman hospitalized over 100 days