Gov. Murphy 'Disappointed' In Jersey City School Reopening Delay

JERSEY CITY, NJ — Governor Phil Murphy took some time during his COVID-19 briefing on Wednesday to express disappointment at the decision to delay Jersey City Public Schools reopening.

Jersey City Public Schools Superintendent Franklin Walker announced in a robocall on Sunday night that the district was rolling back its plan to reopen in-person classes next week. Walker's message cited a lack of necessary staff to reopen the schools.

At Monday night's caucus meeting, Walker explained that 500 teachers had requested accommodations in remaining remote and "Schools can’t safely welcome students with that staggering number of teachers and paraprofessionals working from home," Walker said. He also cited rising COVID-19 cases and a lack of support from the city to accommodate COVID-19 testing at the schools.

Murphy was asked to comment on the situation during his briefing on Wednesday and said, "I was disappointed in the Jersey City development."

Murphy added that he hoped the combination of safe public health habits, vaccinations and warm weather might help things change. "I hope that combination would allow a decision like that to be reconsidered," Murphy said.

Murphy is still planning on having public schools return to in-person learning in the fall, seven days a week.

Several teachers spoke at the Jersey City Board of Education caucus meeting on Monday and explained that as much as they want to be back in the classroom with students, the district's schools are not in safe conditions for public health or equip to allow teachers to teach in the planned hybrid-style.

A protest is planned for Thursday in front of the Board of Education building in Jersey City by parents in the district to voice concern and frustration over the rollback. The protest has the back of a Facebook group "Open Jersey City Schools Now" which has over 200 members.

The Jersey City Board of Education will hold its next meeting on Thursday at 6 p.m.

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