“Let’s leave the politics at the door. This is not about politics. This is above politics,” Murphy said. “This is doing the right thing, and I beg folks to see that even if they’re not happy about this.”
“This is not an announcement that gives any of us or me personally any pleasure,” Murphy said. “But as the school year approaches and with the numbers rapidly increasing, it is the one that we need to make right now.”
Consecutive school years upended by the coronavirus pandemic have state lawmakers considering drastic steps to help students catch up, such as widespread summer school.
Senate President Steve Sweeney says goverment reforms will be on the table in next year's budget talks, which means tough choices ahead of state elections.
Murphy said Monday 736 plans have been submitted to the state Department of Education — and 402 have been kicked back to districts for further revisions.
Just as there’s no consensus around New Jersey on the thorny issue of whether to reopen school buildings in September, there’s also disagreement in the state Legislature.