Christie shows up at LoBiondo fundraiser, so do angry Atlantic County teachers
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HAMILTON TOWNSHIP — More than 200 public school employees protested state school funding cuts Friday with a noisy picket line outside the Mays Landing Country Club where Gov. Chris Christie attended a fundraiser for Republican U.S. Congressman Frank LoBiondo.
Chanting “Save Our Schools” and holding signs saying “Support Our Schools” and “We are the solution, not the problem,” teachers from districts throughout Atlantic County, some of whom have received layoff notices, said they want to make the public aware that a $820 million shortfall in state school aid will affect teachers, programs, and children.
“The message to voters is ‘Please vote for the (local school) budgets and support our schools,’” said John Carlson, an Egg Harbor Township teacher and vice president of the Atlantic County Council of Education Associations, which organized the event.
A small group of teachers stood on the corner of Route 40 to get the attention of afternoon rush-hour traffic.
The rest lined up outside the country club, chanting at arriving guests, most of whom were surprised to see them. The only minor disturbance came when one woman opened her car window and made a comment about hoping teachers did lose their jobs.
The teachers booed loudly but remained outside the parking lot. There was no police presence