Hundreds of Lakewood High School students this morning headed to Trenton to protest the Lakewood School District’s lack of funding.
The morning’s events began with an address (see video) by several local officials – Senator Singer, Mayor Coles, Deputy Mayor Miller and Committeeman Lichtenstein. Also in attendance were Assemblymen Kean and Rible.
As the students prepared to leave, the District – Despite prior notice and discussions – was advised that they are not welcome on the DOE property in Trenton to present their letters and speeches.
Immediately, Senator Singer and others got on the phone to find another location in Trenton for the protest.
About 15 minutes later, an arrangement was completed – and the students were welcome to use the facilities of the Trenton Thunder Baseball Stadium – which is located a block away from DOE offices.
At approximately 10 AM, the buses rolled out of the parking lot, and were greeted with signs and cheers by the Lakewood Middle School students waving them on.
I think it’s great they are going. Just wondering, who is paying for the bussing to trenton?
Isn’t it amazing that the BOE whose rulings directly affect these kids, do not want to see them or talk to them!
Hilda, you mean State Monitor Azzara doesn’t want to see or talk with these kids. The BOE spoke with and heard from the kids at the last BOE meeting, and pledged their support via unanimous vote to rehire all the teachers and maintain all services for the students. It was the State Monitor who overruled them. Get your facts straight before you spew hate.
The state monitor is doing what is right and responsible. It is very easy to unanimously vote yes to rehire all the teachers when you know you have a scapegoat that will do the responsible, albeit unpopular, thing and overrule the vote because there is NO MONEY to pay these teachers. Enough is enough. The members of this community have been treated with disrespect for far too long and the children of this community are the ones who are suffering the most. Those that have let this happen to these and future children of Lakewood should be ashamed of themselves and their actions. SHAME
I,totally, agree with you. Sitting at a board meeting about 2002, the board attorney, Mr.Inzelbuch, waving a paper. The administrative law judge agreed with the busing situation. As a public educator for over 36 years & 4 generations of Lakewood graduates, Teachers & public students are political footballs.
Where were the politicians in the late 90’s ? Lakewood needed a bill out.
The bell was ringing, but it could not be heard.
thank you Michael for everything .
we NEED you back .
Today’s youth are tomorrow’s leaders.
From the pictures here in Lakewood with our Senator and Assemblymen, it would seem that the Senate is not in session in Trenton today.
If that’s the case, what was the point of going today? Isn’t it effective to rather go down to Trenton on a day when the senators are actually there, since it is the Senators and Assemblymen who will need to vote on a special carve out for Lakewood just like they did for Atlantic City?
We fought for not only ourselves, but for out teachers, staff, and future LHS family today. What we did was great and I am very proud of that. We WILL win this fight and we will continue to prosper on and beyond. GO PINERS!!!!!!!
?kwd strong!