New Jersey Teachers Union Forced to Take Back Seat to Kids
by Lori DrummerWhen New Jersey teachers union members refused to make room for students in a legislative committee hearing, the chairman took the meeting to the students.
Approximately 1,500 New Jersey schoolchildren and school choice supporters witnessed democracy in action on Thursday, May 13, when they attended a rally at the state capitol to support a private school choice bill under debate in the state Senate. The rally was set to support S1872, legislation that would establish a five-year scholarship tax credit pilot program for students in failing schools, which was heard by the Senate Economic Growth Committee that day.
When State Senator Ray Lesniak (D-Union), chairman of the committee and longtime supporter of school choice, prepared to call the committee to order, he noted that all of the seats had been taken by New Jersey Education Association (NJEA) members.
The chairman requested that half of the seats be made available for the children who supported the school choice bill. The union members refused to offer the children any seats. (
So, the senators’ desks were moved, and Chairman Lesniak took the committee hearing outside:
“The NJEA and their supporters packed the room. I asked them to allow for fifty percent of supporters of the legislation in the room or else I was going to have them take the meeting outside so that everybody can see it. They refused to leave the room, so we’re going to have the committee meeting right here. Outside.”
In the end, the committee agreed that if they could meet outside of the government-assigned committee room – and instead outside, in the light of sunshine and in the view of taxpayers – students in failing schools should have the same flexibility to find a better venue that meets their needs.
The committee unanimously passed the legislation.
If enacted, the pilot program could fund up to $24 million in scholarships for up to 4,000 children the first year. After five years, up to 20,000 children would receive $120 million in scholarships. Scholarship funds would come from corporate contributions, for which the corporations would receive a dollar-for-dollar tax credit. The full Senate must approve the measure before it advances to the state Assembly.
Meanwhile, the NJEA refuses to accept any responsibility for the looming budget gaps at both the state and district levels. Only 30 school districts have accepted any form of a pay freeze for employees, and as the Star-Ledger Editorial Board recently used the situation in Fairfield, New Jersey, to illustrate the statewide mess:
“A pay freeze in Fairfield would comprise 77 percent of the needed $140,000 in cuts. But teachers there, and throughout the state, have thumbed their noses at taxpayers — the same taxpayers who have made teachers among the highest-paid in the nation, with an average salary of $63,154, a pension and, until recently, free health care benefits. So taxes will go up, programs will be eliminated and teachers will lose jobs. Hamilton will fire 75 teachers, and the union won’t even allow its membership to vote on a pay freeze that would save many of those jobs.”
The rest of New Jersey legislators should take note. The NJEA does not want to be a part of the solution. They are the core of the problem.
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234 Comments
EXCELLENT!!!!!!! Kudos to NJ!
I call this the "Chris Christie" effect — where sensible-minded East Coast politicians are finally seeing the virtue strapping a set on and doing what's right despite entrenched special interests.
The NEA and all of its subordinates do not care about education. All they care about is how much money they get. Both my parents were teachers, and they saw how things changed from the 50's to the 90's.
The NEA is largely responsible for the decline in education standards in this country.
Awesomeness. You don't see politicians defy unions very often. Or pretty much ever…
"sensible-minded East Coast politicians"
I thought this species was extinct? Or at least on the "endangered list"
Great to see them making a come back!
Way to go New Jersey! The godfathers of the teachers union are most angry now. Good.
Oh no, the union didn't get their way, what ever are we going to do now???
BTW, Eric Holder has not read the bill, but he is troubled by it.
TEA Party is making a difference!
Smaller Government, spending less, taxing less, and staying the hell out of our way.
Way to go Christie.
Just read that CalPERS just rammed through a contribution increase of 600 million dollars that the state is required to contribute. CalPERS lost 1/4 of its pension values last year and they have the unilateral authority to demand the state pay into its coffers what it wants.
Public Employee Unions are an abomination and need to be banned!
Kudos to the Dem State Senator, who is reading the Tea Leaves correctly (yes, pun intended).
People are ANGRY at Politicians who have allowed our system to be highjacked by small, well funded, special interest groups… and the pols are finally figuring out that they work for US… not them…
I second that one, Lolo!
You GO NJ!
This state is totally turning things around! How wonderful! I hope the teachers Unions are literally DRIVEN OUT OF THE STATE. They ARE the problem….obstructionist in name and deed!
that is a great idea having corporations donate cash, for tax credit, this is a simple solution to putting kids through college, now get rid of unions so the rest of the machince can be fixed without additional taxes to taxpayers.
Amazing…!
See what happens…?
"Strap on a set", and suddenly, intelligent politicians start to multiply…
It is NOT going to go well for unions, entrenched special-interests, and their toadying political lapdogs…
The unions will fight back if people stop their gravy and give it directly to the parents and the kids to decide where and how their education money are spend. Those are brave people – who support the school choice!
I think maybe there is hope for my state…Kudos!!!
The NJEA always tries to tell us "It's about the children" but their refusal to give seats to the students just proves that the NJEA is now and has only ever been out for themselves.
Way to go New Jersey. Lead the way, and the rest of the nation will follow. Govenor Christie is a man of honor and integrity that the current administrattion lack's. When a good man leads, good people will follow.
Restore the Republic,
God Bless America
I sure hope NJ is the tip of the iceberg! WTG!
Totally agree! My husband comes from a long line of teachers and superintendents and they say the exact same thing!
He has read the bill. He would be forced to debate it if he says he has. Even Holder isn't so stupid to get into a debate he can't win. That goes for the rest of those yutzes as well. They have read it…I GUARANTEE IT!
CalPERS is one of the many public employee unions in California. CalPERS represents those that work in the schools but are not teachers. The only thing the state can do is file bankruptcy, and that is coming so watch your investments.
Kick back and have a beer.
Hey, quit bogarting the pop-corn!
All vouchers will do is destroy the private schools.
You guys haven't caught on to what scams "charter" schools are to begin with! Fine example here: http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xdarpi_houston-t...
Yet another teachers union demonstrates that they care only about their interests and not the students. They will really be in for a shock when they find out that their lavish pensions are unsustainable.
BRILLIANT!!!! On so many levels!!!!
Sunshine is the best disinfectant!
NJ strikes again! YAYYYYYY!
I went to high school in NJ and when I read that an old gym teacher of mine is now making over $100,000 plus benefits, I nearly went through the roof. A lot of teachers in this state should realize that when they were younger, they probably weren't saying 'When I grow up, I want to be a union lackey!'
Wow! Maybe the NJ legislature will just bar school employees from collective bargaining altogether? The NJEA has proven to be a thoughly irresponsible entity.
I can dream…
We need this guy as president. Wow, he could really set this country back on track!
Yep, those private schools will be destroyed–by parents stampeding to their doors with vouchers in hand.
My only hope is that more states are watching to see that education can be taken back and react accordingly.
Well the Union is going to show it's true self and will probably make life hell for someone.
Christie and those who emulate him have my full faith and backing. I would love to see that attitude come to my state. My most recognized POS POL is Harry Reid – the exact opposite of what this country needs.
WHAT? That Calpers thing went thru?
I never thought I would say this in my life…. I am thinking of moving to New Jersey!
Video is blocked here, and I seldom pay any attention to something that can vanish off the net as soon as the "Ministry of Truth" changes the party line. Exactly /what/ is your argument? Aside from distracting blather to derail any discussion.
California Public Employee Retirement System. (aka UNION)
they manage the pension accounts of the union and when the fund loses money through fraud, mismanagement, and market losses, they have the power to demand that California make up the difference. They vote in their own committee and their decisions are for all intents and purposes,,,,lawful demand on state government.
Sounds fair,,,,,right?????
Public employee unions are by their nature – - – corrupt. They negotiate with those who do not have to fullfill their contracts, the politicians. The ultimate employer (tax payers) are NEVER represented in these "negotiations".
Vouchers should be available. With what the school district spends per child, they can get a better private education.
"Scholarship funds would come from corporate contributions, for which the corporations would receive a dollar-for-dollar tax credit."
Am I reading this correctly? They are basically going to pretend that this is money donated by the private sector, rather than funded by taxpayers — by saying "Company X — give us $1000 for this program, now you owe $1000 less in taxes." Then the politicians won't count this as "spending" or "taxes", although it is exactly that.
Today, let’s try some basic math and basic facts:
The 24 million dollars scholarships for one years gives 4,000 students only a 6,000 voucher each.
This year in NJ:
“Average per child comparative costs in K-12 districts rose to $13,601 during the 2008-09 school year, compared to $12,598 the prior year, and $11,939 in 2006-07.” http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2010/02/nj_schoo...
At that rate, it looks like alternative schools with still be poverty stricken by public school standards, and still they will provide a better education.
The Liar in Chief is speaking right now and it sounds like the Amnesty bill is being brought back from the dead.
BUILD THE FENCE – - – - SECURE THE BORDER FIRST
You apparently didn't bother to examine the very successful voucher program in DC. You know, the one that 0 and his cronies destroyed…
Wednesday, May 19, 2010 — LATEST NEWS
CalPERS Calls for California To Chip in $600M More Next Year
On Tuesday, CalPERS' Benefits and Program Administration Committee unanimously voted to impose an 18% increase on California's annual contribution to public employee retirement benefits, bringing the state's total share to $3.88 billion annually. CalPERS oversees retirement and health benefits for public workers. AP/San Jose Mercury News, Sacramento Bee.
Someday those kids will grow up to be voters.
Congrats to State Senator Ray Lesniak for brilliance in political statesmanship– the Founding Fathers would be proud!
Your oh so correct. No school union is ever for the children. they have voted down any sort of reform and testing that would require teachers to be the responsible party when schools fail. Currently, teachers are not held accountable to anyone. We are not allowed to voice our objections against teacher's unions even though we pay for them. This is getting real old, real fast. Kudos to NJ maybe this sort of action will spread like wildfire to the rest of the nation and we can get our schools and government back on track.
This isn't just hyperbole either. They've stated as much publicly. I remember from my time in NJ (over a decade ago) that when asked when the NJEA would start thinking about what's best for students, the union head responded, in public, "when they start paying dues".
Not that there's necessarily anything wrong with this view. NJEA is a union, and it's job is to represent it's members (within the bounds imposed by law, which is another question altogether). But they pretend that they're all about the kids, and they have relationships with policymakers from the state government all the way down to local school boards that are appropriate for the kind of advocacy group they try to seem to be, but are completely inappropriate and quite illegal for who they really are.
The state saves 50%.
But the union hacks lose out. whatreallyhappened is it stopped being about the kids, and all about the Unions.
Gov. Christi has put the writing on wall…
The teachers union are there for only one reason, and that's to to serve the children, of which they evidently don't get yet! The education of our youth should be front and foremost, and if vouchers will help to that end, then I say go for it.
/
GO TEA PARTIES AMERICA…(((( NOVEMBER, VOTE THE DIRTY COMMIE RATS OUT ))))
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AP-IM7maxbI&fe...
Put down the kool-aid. It is affecting your ability to think for yourself.
Don't ever forget that, either. And don't let your friends and neighbors forget it either.
Never forget. Never surrender.
What? the stock market doesn't only go up? that's not in our budget model
Calpers amazing economic forecasting
http://www.zerohedge.com/article/calpers-dreaming...
Pack your bags, Commie. Time to look for another country to live in. For you, I recommend China. You'll love it!
Maybe you don't understand. They don't just get the money, they get the kids, too! LOL! And all the regulations they will have to abide by. This just makes them in to public schools.
This is going to make a great movie.
Now that is transparency…. Obama, Pelosi and Read are you paying attention? I think this story is just as important a message, to Washington as was the election results.
We the People are going to take back our country from these socialists, starting now .
Thank you Senator Lesniak….
"Better to look a fool than be proven wrong"?
Sheesh.
I'm starting to warm up to NJ myself. This was a shot in the arm for the whole country.
Nice dream. Let's hope it comes true!
PEOPLE, you have to read the link above in Robobbob's post. It tell the whole story of why California HAS TO FAIL is any of us are to survive.
In 1999 when Grey Davis sign this horrible bill into Cal state law, he said it would not cost the taxpayers a dime,,,,he was right, it is costing billions of dimes
Looks like Chris Christie has started a culture change!
A good news story to be sure. I am fed up with my local board of education. They are constantly requesting new levy money. I can understand population growth, and providing the best possible services and facilities for students, but when there are new ballot issues every time you turn around, and no visible improvements, you begin to wonder where the money is going.
I like your plan better, what was it something to do with destroying Israel
Finally one solution for all of our problems, now where have I heard that before …
You have the idea?
Fantastic then it has to be a winner!
Better to be thought a fool than to open one's mouth and take away all doubt!!
It's called "cutting out the middleman"
Politicians skim so much out of every tax dollar that any dollars bypassing that system work twice as hard.
[...] » New Jersey Teachers Union Forced to Take Back Seat to Kids – Big Government [...]
At least the American people can see how much these unionized teachers care about thier students. Im quite sure this is the predominate thought of MOST unionized teachers. If it was any other way you would see these
righteous and student caring teachers protesting this type of behavior. But of course they are nowhere to be found.
[...] New Jersey Teachers Union Forced to Take Back Seat to Kids [...]
There's scumbag union people for you.
Thank You!!! Gov. Chris Christie show us the way!
Do you know the difference between a public and private school, because I'm not thinking you do.
You mean scam like public schools? Fine example here:http://www.kdvr.com/news/kdvr-masse-arrest-051210...
No, maybe YOU don't understand. Private schools won't be forced to give up their independence because the parents have literal control of the money via the vouchers. Last I heard, the state can't force a private school to take vouchers. If private schools WANT to take vouchers, they'll compete for enrollment and be accountable to the parents and kids–which they already do, anyway.
The state would have some serious legal 'splainin' to do if it tries to hijack vouchers from the parents in any attempt to publicize a private school.
Irresponsible…and irrelevant!
We can only pray to have a governor like New Jersey's here in Washington.
I'm employed by the State of NJ and am forced to pay negotiating fees to a union (NOT njea). More than a year ago (under the Dem Gov) our union asked us to strike for a wage increase. We voted the strike down. Our wages have been frozen now for nearly three years, we are paying for our own healthcare. We lost 100 people to layoffs last month and have been told to expect more every month throughout the summer.
Most of the other state workers have no love for the teachers' unions. For my part, I have written to Christie in support, attended the teaparty in April in Trenton and would much rather have a good job in a robust private sector than be forced to pay a union in order to work for the state. Let's hope Christie gets the economy back on track here. And then all we need to worry about is the rest of the nation and the western world.
No wonder I'm having apocalyptic dreams nearly every night lately
When the real estate bubble last popped, Calpers was STILL buying – they are not the brightest bulbs, we need an initiative to eliminate all state employee unions.
O.M.G.
Only in La La land, StoryKeeper. What a total joke. You poor guys may not have to wait for the "big one" to hit with a gov't makin deals like that! Holy crap.
;-O
The first shall be last and the last shall be first,……………
these are exiting times,…………….Thank you Barrack Obama for waking us up.
New Jersey and Arizona,…………only 48 more to go
Please…….. as a recent escapee from NJ I can tell you there are dozens of reasons not to desire to live in that ridiculously expensive hellhole. I am now living in the great Mountain West and luvin it. Bought a bigger, nicer, newer house, banked 150K and reduced my annual property taxes by almost 10K……………..and the people are soooooooo much nicer.
Been totally OUT of the market since 2007, Lolo. Have been havin the same or better luck at the craps tables in Vegas. And there the drinks are free, the people are much prettier, and I CAN SEE who ALL the players are.
Actually made better than 15% the last 4 outtings, lol.
Confucius say: private school taking public money not private.
Better watch out; NJ's property taxes are outrageous. Their gun control laws are pretty bad, too.
I love how you guys object to Obamacare but can't see this is the same thing with the education system. The true private schools not taking vouchers will vanish just as private insurance will vanish with a public option.
VOUCHERS = PUBLIC OPTION.
I am an Arizonan, but certainly close enough to smell it
Teachers and other public employees don't give a crap. And if push comes to shove, groups like teachers unions in NJ will expect ALL taxpayers nationwide to bail out individual states to allow them to keep their snouts in the trough.
wow, me too, SK.
For two more years anyway, we're stuck in Tucson. Then it's home to Texas!
Texas conservatives are taking it to the lib / progs right now. the Text Book issue is getting traction with re-establishing the REAL American History back into our educational system. We will know on Friday what progess they have made in taking back our curricullum from the Ayer's socialist / progressive mission to indoctrinate our youth. I pray Texas stays strong and gets our text books back to the real history of this country.
This is awesomely awesome. Bring private industry in, competition goes up, quality goes up, a younger generation that not only will be educated but will appreciate the importance of a good education, tax cuts for private industry… Dare I hope it could lead to job growth in the private sector as well?
This is great bring government to the people, for the people, and not just the special interest groups.
Teachers unions should be immediately abolished, or those who are members should not be allowed to vote. That should be true for all public union employees. We spend more on education per child than any other nation on the PLANET without a close second, and our education gets worse and worse.
Liberal policy or trickle up poverty is being applied in education but it's trickle up idiocy.
education and health are state issues.
Nooo it reduces the revenue stream coming into the state government by sending it directly to the schools. Same amount just differently managed by non bureacrats. It puts the money directly into the hands of the people most concerned how its spent so they are free to choose to go to a better school…
We have a similar problem in MS and our local school and district is failing. Just enroled the kid in private school for next year and when I get the letter about the school failing I plan to forward it to Gov. Barber and ask for my voucher. Am tired of Union involvment everywhere there is institutional failure. Was told by several teachers that "WE TEACH THE TEST" and it's the test the kids are failing. It's like a prep-school for welfare, just learn enough to fill out the forms!
GO NJ!!!!!
Excellent!!! Now keep the ball rolling NJ State Senate!!!
A few years ago my son ( here in N.J. ) went to school to find Broken hearts on every window close to Valentines day,put there by taechers going through tough negotiations. On St. Patricks day there were pictures in the hallway of a pots of dirt at the end of a rainbow. Need I say more ? They do not want to bend and feel entitled to raises and whatever concessions they feel they deserve. Enough is enough.
It is hard to believe that in NJ, of all places, the politicians are actually doing what is best for the folks. Who says one person cannot make a difference? THIS IS ALL ABOUT CHRIS CHRISTIE HAVING THE POLITICAL AND PERSONAL COURAGE TO DO THE RIGHT THING.
For all of america : REMEMBER IN NOVEMBER, REMEMBER IN NOVEMBER, REMEMBER IN ……………..
Sounds like an angry mob of Pediphobes to me…
Holder is too busy hunting for tea party terrorists to have time to waste reading bills, when he can pull comments about them out of his a$$
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