Safety Concerns Prompt Remote Learning At Some NJ Schools On June 7

NEW JERSEY - New Jersey public schools designated as polling locations will have the option to move to virtual learning during the state’s primary election day due to growing safety concerns, officials said.

Several schools last week announced new state Department of Education guidance pushing for virtual instruction on June 7, citing the number of individuals entering school buildings. The move comes nearly two weeks after a gunman entered an unlocked door to Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, T.X. on May 24 and killed 19 students and two teachers.

“We have an obligation to the safety of our school community first. If we have learned one thing out of the Uvalde tragedy, any unlocked/open door while students are present in school is unacceptable.,” Old Bridge Superintendent of Schools David Cittadino said in a tweet on Thursday. “For these reasons, [Old Bridge Township Public Schools] will be closed on 6/7/22.”

12 Trenton Public Schools that serve as polling locations will also be operating virtually on June 7, according to an announcement from Trenton Public Schools Superintendent James Earle.

Students impacted by the virtual day will receive a Tuesday grab-and-go meal kit with breakfast, lunch and a snack on Monday, Earle said.

Radcliffe, Spring Garden and Nutley High School of Nutley Public Schools will also be closed on Tuesday, with Extended Day and all after school activities at Radcliffe, Spring Garden and NHS to be cancelled. NHS Scholarship Night will move locations to John H. Walker Middle School and will still be held on Tuesday, the district said.

Other schools opting to switch to remote learning on Tuesday include those in Piscataway and Hamilton. Schools affected in Piscataway will reschedule field trips, concerts and events, as well as nix before and after care.

“Rather than having schools open with many non-school members present throughout the day, we thought it best to go remote for these polling site schools, Piscataway Superintendent of Schools Frank Ranelli said in a statement.

“In years past, we would make [Election Day] a one-session day and provide hall monitors and police in the buildings where voting occurred,” Hamilton Township Superintendent of Schools Scott R. Rocco noted in a separate announcement.

“Over the last five years my Senior Staff and I have tried to move the elections out of our schools for security reasons. At the same time, we understand that our community needs accessible voting locations that are within a specific distance of their homes.”