Governor placed blame on greedy teachers, union officials, not budget cuts
NJEA President Barbara Keshishian stands in the doorway of the Governor's Office at the Statehouse while waiting to enter for a meeting with Gov. Chris Christie, in this April 2010 file photo.TRENTON — The public battle between the state’s chief executive and its largest teachers union rolled on today with New Jersey Education President Barbara Keshishian labeling Gov. Chris Christie “irresponsible and out of control” following his comments about the union to students in Trenton last Friday.
Speaking at the Boys & Girls Club of Trenton and Mercer County, Christie told students their schools were short on needed supplies because of greedy teachers and union officials — not because of state aid cuts.
“Not only is he lying to students about the obvious impact of his massive cuts to public schools, but it is inconceivable that a governor would use such language with students in order to advance a political agenda,” Keshishian said in a statement released today. “It raises serious questions about his character.”
Michael Drewniak, the governor’s spokesman, said he had no comment on the union’s latest criticism, adding that “there’s no need to reply to the NJEA management on this.”
The governor’s comment’s followed a snub of the union earlier last week, when acting N.J. Education Commissioner Rochelle Hendricks refused an invitation to speak at the union’s annual convention in Atlantic City.
Video footage released by the Trentonian shows Christie speaking candidly with students at the event, telling them if union members valued teaching and learning, they would have been in the classroom last week, not in Atlantic City “having a party” at the union’s teachers convention, for which most districts statewide close schools.
“He insults every school employee in New Jersey by telling students they are ‘having a party’ at the convention, and he owes each of them an apology for his reckless and cruel comments to impressionable young people,” Keshishian said.
Previous coverage:
• Gov. Christie tells Trenton teens teachers union is to blame for lack of school supplies, aid cuts
• NJEA president praises teachers during address, ignores Christie administration snub
• Snubbing teachers: Gov. Christie seems to like feud with teachers