Students at two New Jersey high schools cut class yesterday morning in protest over Governor Christ Christie's State school-aid cuts. The governor accused the union of fomenting the demonstrations and recommended against disciplinary action.
At Bridgewater-Raritan High School, a crowd of less than a hundred students, most of them freshmen and sophomores, cut classes all day and milled about on the sidewalk in front of the school, carrying picket signs and encouraging passing motorists to honk if they sympathized. Bridgewater-Raritan chose to lay off more than 100 teachers, and eliminate a number of athletic programs and electives, to cut their budget by $9 million.
At Cliffside Park High School, about 400-500 students walked out of classes and gathered on the playing field from 9:00 a.m. to 9:45 a.m. Cliffside Park's school board is cutting its budget by $1.8 million, by laying off 25 teachers and 20 support staff and janitors.
The headmasters of the two high school said that the students might face discpiplinary action for walking out of class. But Governor Christie suggested that the teachers' union had orchestrated the walkout, and that the students should not be disciplined because they were "being used."
I don’t blame the kids at all. Those kids are victims. They’re pawns, unfortunately for them.
New Jersey Education Association spokesman Steve Baker denied the accusation, and pointed out that several teachers had pleaded with the students at each of the two demonstrations to end their walkout and return to class.
The governor also said that the teachers could save their jobs if they would prevail upon their union leadership to reopen their contracts, accept a one-year salary freeze, and agree to contribute 1.5 percent of their pay to their own healthcare benefits.
They should ask their teachers, if they want to teach free thinking, why they’re in the throes of the dicta from their union, rather than resorting to common sense. This is where they abuse their position of trust. Those are our children in that classroom. To be inundated with that type of propaganda – self-serving, self-interested, greedy propaganda – is reprehensible. And they know it.
Christie said the above two days before the demonstrations took place, at a town-hall-style meeting in Ramsey, NJ.
Thus far, few published reports touch on another possible issue: burgeoning administrative budgets with little or no justification. This is the issue that local activists in Millburn Township have been pressing for years.
New Jersey has 590 school districts, and no other demonstrations were reported at the other 588 high schools across the State.
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Comments
Only two schools out of all of those in New Jersey? Seems like most people are taking things in stride.
Students taking an opportunity to skip class? Like this is something new? What student wouldn't want to see a teacher strike? That would get them out of class for a week or so. They were most likely put up to it by the teachers just to get publicity. If only these teachers were willing to teach students how to survive and prosper in the world with the same zeal they have to indoctrinate them with their sick political agendas. Is there any level that liberals will not sink to?
Unfortunately these punks don't pay the outrageous NJ taxes that pay for all the perks the unions are getting to brainwash them.
Maybe suspension or expulsion will give them the cold, hard slap with reality that their parents aren't giving them?
How about some summer school to make up for these walkouts?
im a student at one of these high schools and no, the teachers did not "use" us for publicity. Teachers in my high school SPECIFICALLY told us to RECONSIDER doing the protest.
Good reporting.
Hey Boohoo, what u may not realize is that CPHS actually had great electives and opportunities for its students. I don't agree with ur thinking. U want to punish them for having an opinion and standing up for their futures right? punish them with summerschool for walking out for 45 min, honestly? u must have not ever stood up for urself.
I support the CPHS students. I am an alumni who was once a part of a walk out. We walked out for what we believed in and we were heard. If you believe in something, you have to fight for it. Unfortunately thats a part of life!
Actually many people in my school didn't do the protest to cut class. We had a reason. Most of us also plan to protest with the teachers out of school. We care. Yeah two schools only did, but remember we were the first schools to take action. Watch how many other schools are going to follow in our example. FYI no teachers planned the walkout it was all planned by students. Get your facts straight and stop assuming things you don't know.
We did the protest FOR our teachers and staff by ourselves!
These teachers in NJ need to get out a calculator and do the simple math. This state as well as may others has spent itself into a fiscal mess. Thank goodness Gov Christie is doing what he was ELECTED to do. All the "protest" activity, havings students call, write letters and attend rally events is protest as long as the "process" includes the right in the USA to do so. Believe it or not teachers, this isnt about you - it is about the math. For all you tenured teachers that are , not the best of the bunch and surviving under the cowardice of tenure - enjoy it. But parents - UNITE - and hold this archiac system of tenure accountable - WE ARE THE TEACHERS BOSS - they work for us. If they dont like the profession and working 180 days a year (PART TIME for all you math wizards) then go work in the private sector, you wouldnt last a week.
As a product of New Jersey public schools, I think Christie should be ashamed. Teachers should not have to accept a pay freeze if they care about the students. Teaching is a profession, not a volunteer position. Teachers should get the same professional curtesies as any other employees.
Many private sector firms have pay freezes in effect - teachers are no exception. 2 simple choices, be part of the solutions or look for new work. Remember when the Air traffic controlers dug their heels in? Teachers would gain tremendous credibility across the Garden State if they actually came out from behind their union curtain and just accepted the math in front of us all. This isnt difficult folks.
If you hurt the teachers you hurt the students. The amount of money Christie cut from the Wealthy tax revenue is the same as what he is proposing taking from our public schools. As a republican, I understand the theory behind that, but I am just pointing out there are other places to find money. He is looking for a scapegoat. Christie and an army of muckrackers are rallying the state against a common enemy...one that does not deserve the attack.
Us students walked that day because we wanted to its really not fair what the stupid governor is Doing ! Yea of course their wher some idiots that just wanted to skip class but who cares The GOVERNOR IS A PUssy
this governor is just so close minded and students walked out because they want to and they believe in wat is right for them. funny thing is that as soon as they have to take more money away they start with schools but if they were right they wouldnt be buying unnecesarry things that isnt needed!! if you affect the students and take from schools then guess what, the economy is just going to get worst. i thought we were the future so why take our opportunities away? honestly dude how the heck were you even elected you obviously arent smart and i give my respect to CPHS. you can expect plenty more nj high schools walking out too...
Thank you for all of your support. I am a teacher in CP, and let me tell you all that we did not put the children up to this. This was all on them! Of course they are feeling the burn from the supposed education gov. The teachers get cut, which means the children lose out, which means the education system goes down the drain. Thank you for making one of the greatest school systems in the nation sink to the lowest of lows. I hope you are very proud of yourself.
Thank you for all of your support. I am a teacher in CP, and let me tell you all that we did not put the children up to this. This was all on them! Of course they are feeling the burn from the supposed education gov. The teachers get cut, which means the children lose out, which means the education system goes down the drain. Thank you for making one of the greatest school systems in the nation sink to the lowest of lows. I hope you are very proud of yourself.
I beg to differ in our district the middle school teachers are rabid on this subject. Friday and weekend assignment was to call the governors office and "tell him you disagree" and this week before break they are writing letters to the governors office. While I agree with teaching the protest process I disagree in teaching the "position" to talk. I know there was no discussion about the budget crisis that drove this decision in any of the 3 classrooms I am referring to. Teachers want it all and need to step down and work the problem, not contribute more fuel to it. Teachers crying in school and classrooms is just unprofessional. Take the pay freeze and move on. 180 days of work, come on!
I'm always amused by the flip/flop the private sector critics are always doing when talking about the job of teaching. You expect teachers to accept private sector solutions when we don't earn private sector salaries, bonuses, luxuries, or benefits. You're comparing apples and oranges. We chose the public sector for benefits, knowing that bonuses aren't an option but that benefits and security were. You didn't become a teacher because, among other things, there's minimal opportunity for salary growth. While we value the "product," and the students, the job isn't a charity; it's valued as much as you "value" your company's product, service or cause. You believe it it, but have to pay the bills. And if you had the legal right to not accept a pay freeze because you've already agreed to give up some benefits coverage as part of compensation, and keep your job, you would. Come to the public schools. You wouldn't last 5 out of those 180 days.
This sounds about right...check out the Onion's article on Parents want to "school home" their children.
This sounds about right...check out the Onion's article on Parents want to "school home" their children.
I beg to differ in our district the middle school teachers are rabid on this subject. Friday and weekend assignment was to call the governors office and "tell him you disagree" and this week before break they are writing letters to the governors office. While I agree with teaching the protest process I disagree in teaching the "position" to talk. I know there was no discussion about the budget crisis that drove this decision in any of the 3 classrooms I am referring to. Teachers want it all and need to step down and work the problem, not contribute more fuel to it. Teachers crying in school and classrooms is just unprofessional. Take the pay freeze and move on. 180 days of work, come on!
A great article Terry, and honestly I have to side with the students, it is a nation wide epidemic of terrible schooling practices and worse budget handling. Bravo students!
I beg to differ in our district the middle school teachers are rabid on this subject. Friday and weekend assignment was to call the governors office and "tell him you disagree" and this week before break they are writing letters to the governors office. While I agree with teaching the protest process I disagree in teaching the "position" to talk. I know there was no discussion about the budget crisis that drove this decision in any of the 3 classrooms I am referring to. Teachers want it all and need to step down and work the problem, not contribute more fuel to it. Teachers crying in school and classrooms is just unprofessional. Take the pay freeze and move on. 180 days of work, come on!
Bernadette, you need a good strong dose of reality. You wouldn't last 5 days in the private sector. The bonuses and luxuries you speak of are a thing of the past. We contribute to our health benefits...a lot. We don't get bonuses anymore. We haven't had raises in years. When are you going to wake up and realise we are in the worst economic downturn in history??? Teachers are looking for a free ride on the backs of the taxpayers. Can you really expect us to care about you when all you care about are your free benefits and gaurenteed pay raises? If you could save teachers jobs by giving up your raise this year that would really show how commited you are to the good of your students! Put your money where your mouth is!
Great plan NJ. Then when testing goes down, and more students start to fail- lets throw the money back into the schools and say "we need to focus on the schools." Let me give you alittle clue, I went to a public high school- graduated with a 3.8 GPA. Crowded class rooms- they make a BIG difference. It takes longer to get things back, and longer to get through the curic. Lets see what you have to say in 4 years when half the kids don't pass state standard tests. Lets give tax cuts to business owners, newsflash - you won't have those business owners if you don't have smart kids.
Part of educating our young is teaching them how to think for themsleves and stand up for what they believe in. I remember protesting at 13 because girls were not allowed to wear pants to school. Can anyone remember those days.(Can Christie remember?) Students in CP have a right to their opinion. To think that they cannot think for themselves is absurd and obviously Christie does not think so. I think CP must have alot of good teachers for these students to stand up for what they believe in.
I am a very discouraged NJ teacher. I have never once mentioned to my students what Gov. Christie is doing. I have been affected by his cuts, but feel that it is not my students' problem. As for all the private sector people who have made comments against teachers on all the sites I have seen, I have this to say, "Do not judge what I do or say my pay isn't worth it until you have walked a day in my shoes." I would never judge your job or salary. I do not make enough money in one year to live on in the state of NJ and would have to get another job or two if I were single. Thankfully, I am married, and do not have that problem. However, there are many teachers who do. I am not opposed to paying into my health care, nor a salary freeze for one year. However, I do not like Christie's bully tactics. He is trying to get back ant the NJEA for not supporting him during his election bid. Period. The only people who will suffer from what he is doing are the students. Pray for them.
Be real how do you tax those who has income of more than $400,000 when they all moved out of NJ. Meanwhile, the NJ property tax is the highest in the County no wonder no one can balance the budgets and leave behind a massive unemployment rate. Not to mention NJ rank among the top ten corruptions in the nation. I could not wait to see what will happen after Chris Christie budgets cut. I have been waiting for years and years for this to happen, I agree that big government spending need to stop and stop ASAP.
what the gov said about the teachers organizing the student walkout's is bogus!
i'm a highschool student and the kids have been organizing these protests.
these cuts are ridiculous and they do not only effect the teachers but the students as well.
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