NJEA's leadership, including President Sean Spiller, Vice President Steve Beatty, and Secretary-Treasurer Petal Robertson, issued a statement addressing recent staff reductions at the U.S. Department of Education. The cuts have been linked to actions by Donald Trump, Linda McMahon, and Elon Musk.
The statement expressed concern over the impact on students: “Students of all ages will pay the steepest price for Donald Trump, Linda McMahon and Elon Musk’s latest assault on American families. The rash decision to fire half the staff of the U.S. Department of Education as part of a ‘final mission’ to illegally shutter the department will hurt families and communities by eliminating supports that students rely on every day."
NJEA criticized what they see as reckless actions without consideration for their effects on children and families in New Jersey. They noted that beyond affecting workers' families due to layoffs, many New Jersey families could face challenges with under-resourced schools.
The statement also highlighted financial concerns: “All New Jersey taxpayers should be outraged. We already get far less back from the federal government than we pay each year." NJEA warned that local taxpayers might bear additional costs due to these cuts while criticizing Trump, McMahon, and Musk's perceived priorities.
The organization emphasized its commitment to protecting students' futures: “We care deeply about every one of our students, and we will fight every day to stop them from being robbed of the future they deserve.” NJEA urged senators and representatives to oppose what they termed "theft" of educational opportunities.
