NJEA president Barbara Keshishian issued this statement following the New Jersey Supreme Court’s ruling today on the Abbott case:
“NJEA welcomes the Supreme Court’s decision in favor of the children in New Jersey’s public schools. While the decision does not restore the funding previously lost by schools or immediately undo all the damage caused by more than $1.3 billion in cuts, it begins the process of restoring our schools to fiscal health and reaffirms our state’s longstanding commitment to investing wisely in our children’s future.”
“While we are disappointed that the remedy ordered by the court only extends to children in the 31 Abbott districts, nothing in the ruling prevents the state from honoring the spirit of the ruling and restoring funding for all children in all public schools across the state.”
| “Children have been the primary victims of the state’s failure to provide adequate resources to its public schools according to the funding law passed just three years ago. Today’s ruling puts the interests of children ahead of political agendas.” |
“We call on Gov. Christie and the Legislature to craft a budget that complies with the court’s ruling and the law, and which respects the educational needs of all New Jersey children. We also urge them to fund the education of students in all districts moving forward so that the state does not waste any more time or money defending the indefensible. Our children’s education is too important to be left to the whims of politics.”