Christie would add aid for teacher wage freeze
In an attempt to ramp up the pressure on New Jersey's teachers and the state's largest teachers' union, Gov. Christie yesterday offered additional aid to school districts whose teachers agree to a one-year wage freeze.
"I don't think it's wrong to say in these difficult times, that they step up and make some sacrifice," Christie said in a statement. "We're not talking about forgoing raises forever."
The New Jersey Education Association, which represents most of the state's teachers, was quick to attack the proposal. And although some school officials said they welcomed anything that would lessen the cuts their districts were facing, others - especially in smaller districts - said Christie's offer would not yield much beyond salary savings.
Some superintendents also expressed disapproval of Christie's continued hammering on teachers and the escalating battle between the governor and the NJEA.
"The NJEA didn't cause the $11 billion [budget shortfall]. Teachers are not the problem in our schools," said Gary Dentino, superintendent in Waterford Township. He said some of Christie's statements have belittled teachers, who he said work hard and often spend their own money on students.
"This lobbing of grenades back and forth has to stop," Dentino said.
"I don't think it's wrong to say in these difficult times, that they step up and make some sacrifice," Christie said in a statement. "We're not talking about forgoing raises forever."
The New Jersey Education Association, which represents most of the state's teachers, was quick to attack the proposal. And although some school officials said they welcomed anything that would lessen the cuts their districts were facing, others - especially in smaller districts - said Christie's offer would not yield much beyond salary savings.
Some superintendents also expressed disapproval of Christie's continued hammering on teachers and the escalating battle between the governor and the NJEA.
"The NJEA didn't cause the $11 billion [budget shortfall]. Teachers are not the problem in our schools," said Gary Dentino, superintendent in Waterford Township. He said some of Christie's statements have belittled teachers, who he said work hard and often spend their own money on students.
"This lobbing of grenades back and forth has to stop," Dentino said.
