NJ Education Report

The Star Ledger Editorial Board paints the picture at the State House yesterday during the voucher bill debate when “Sen. Ray Lesniak confronted the bullies who run the state teachers union.” (Okay, maybe the Ed Board is flashing its bias a bit.) NJEA members had filled the seats of Committee Room 6 early for the 10:30 session, well before buses of parochial students arrived. Once they did, “children in Catholic school uniforms chanted in favor of the vouchers. Many of their sister schools have closed recently, and their own parents often strain to pay tuition. The voucher bill would address both problems.” The drama continues,

When Lesniak asked them to yield half the seats for the kids, the union refused.

“We have every right to be here,” said NJEA spokesman Steve Baker.

Granted. But the rest of us have every right to think it’s creepy to close out the kids

So did Sen. Lesniak, who then moved the committee meeting outside “under the sun. The committee heard testimony and voted unanimously in favor of the bill. And so it was launched, in front of the kids.”

For more details of how the state would maintain oversight of private and parochial schools if the bill proceeds through the Assembly, check out this NJ Spotlight piece.