The governor reiterated support for charter schools, dismissed critics who say they will deplete the public schools of much-needed state aid
Gov. Christie Christie takes questions from the audience at a town hall meeting March 9 in Hopatcong.MIDDLE TOWNSHIP — Gov. Chris Christie continued his assault on teachers unions today, taking his 36th town hall meeting to Cape May County where he predicted a difficult few months ahead to push his agenda for charter schools and a reduction in state aid to poorly performing school districts.
Speaking for nearly two hours to a crowd of more than 650 people in the Naval Air Station Aviation Museum in Rio Grande, Christie was greeted by an audience mostly in favor of his attempt to tie teacher raises and tenure to job performance.
"How about a little competition? How about rewarding people for what they achieve other than just getting their feet on the floor in the morning?’’ he asked the audience.
Saying 104,000 students are "trapped in 200 failing schools," Christie reiterated his support for charter schools and dismissed critics who say they will deplete the public schools of much-needed state aid.
"The more kids that get out, these failing schools — they’ll be empty and we can close them," Christie said.
He got a smattering of applause from a group of teachers in the back of the room when he said a lower court ruling is ordering New Jersey to return $1.6 billion in cut state aid.
Virginia Gowen, a nurse at Lower Township Elementary School, was one of those applauding. She walked out halfway through the town hall meeting, she said, because she was upset at how Christie portrayed teachers.
In her district, where 54 percent of the elementary school students receive free lunches, Gowen said Christie is oversimplifying the jobs of teachers, who often have to deal with troubled, ill children.
"He’s just totally demeaning what I do at work,’’ Gowen said.
Previous coverage:
• Gov. Christie says extra aid to 31 of N.J.'s poorest school districts is driving up taxes
• N.J. lawyers, advocates for poor students gear up for N.J. Supreme Court hearing on school funding
• N.J. treasurer lists range of cuts if Supreme Court rules against Christie in schools funding case
• N.J. battle intensifies over funding for themed charter schools
• N.J. teachers, labor leaders, parents argue for more education funding at Assembly budget hearing