Woodbridge Elminates Afterschool Educational Programs for 2010-2011

The Woodbridge Township School District has decided for the 2011-2012 school year the high schools would cut all of the after-school clubs as well as all the freshmen sport teams. These high schools include John F. Kennedy High School in Iselin, Woodbridge High School in Woodbridge and Colonia High School in Colonia.

According to the NY Times, New Jersey’s Governor, Chris Christie and his education commissioner, Bret. D Schundler, "are expected to cut state aid to individual districts by as much as 15 percent, and reduce overall school aid for only the second time in more than a decade. That would probably mean laying off thousands of teachers, and eliminating a host of extras like after-school and early-childhood education programs that parents have come to count on.”

Mr.Christie says that, “School districts will have $819 million less this year because of the $1 billion dollar federal stimulus money foolishly spent as an election gimmick. These federal dollars are gone because the stewards of last year’s budget decided to spend every nickel in one year rather than spreading these resources over a number of years as the program intended.”

He also discusses how he is working to make sure no school has had to face a cut in their district more than five percent. So the schools will have a four percent less cut than the spending as a whole. On top of that he goes into depth on the teacher unions and how they are using their money to better themselves and not the children.

Because of this budget cut throughout New Jersey, on Tuesday, April 26^th, students from all over the state walked out of school. The students left school and some were not allowed back in because of school rules. Some believed that the students were pushed by the teachers

However, the walk out was arranged through Facebook by a girl named Michelle Lauto. The 18-year-old college student went to high school in Bergen County. The reason Lauto organized this is because she has relatives who will be affected by the cuts.

All over the nation, schools have to cut back their funds because of the debt everyone is in. Each one is trying their own unique ways to get out of this situation.
One example is California. By legalizing Marijuana, their government believes they will make money and be able to pull them out of debt.

Maryann-Woods Murphy, the teacher of the year for New Jersey completely disagrees with Chris Christie. She says that, “Governor Chris Christie cut the school's budget by $475 million dollars. By doing this, schools have had to lay off teachers, increase class sizes as well as cut important programs for students to learn and develop leadership skills."

Woodbridge Township, a large district in Central Jersey, says as much as $10 million in cuts just for their district would be essential if the state were to trim down aid to Woodbridge by 10 percent and limit a tax increase to less than four percent.

Many parents and students are unhappy with this idea. Jefferey Capodice, a freshman at Colonia High School is one of them. “I think it is unfair that this is happening. I just played on the freshman soccer team and enjoyed it but a lot of my friends do after school activities. How are they going to be able to do them?”

Tara Markou, a mother of three who currently has a senior in Colonia High School feels the same. She says, “I do not understand how this can happen. How will students find their interests and hobbies with no after school activities? What will they be able to put on their college applications when they ask about extracurricular activities? This is ridiculous and needs to change.”

Another proposition made by Superintendent of the district John Crowe is to cut kindergarten classes all together. He says, “We had no idea that anything like a 33.2 percent cut in state aid would hit our district.” This must be looked at by the board members of the township and then voted on.

More finalized rules will be discussed in further board meetings. Until then, students, parents, workers and teachers will continue to fight for what they believe is right.