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.

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 said. “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.

Thousands of students in Newark, NJ 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 their voice to speak up and be heard.