Keep NJ Schools Closed, Education Groups Tell Gov. Murphy

A coalition of education organizations around New Jersey has sent a letter to Gov. Phil Murphy with one request: Don't reopen the schools this year.

The letter from the Leadership for Educational Excellence, a coalition of the state’s major education organizations, urges Murphy to keep schools across the state closed through June 30, the end of the school year. He ordered them closed March 16 in one of the early steps to try to limit the spread of the new coronavirus.

Murphy two weeks ago extended his order closing the schools through May 15, with the intent of announcing at that time what would happen going forward. But in recent days, he has made repeated comments that imply schools could be reopened this year.

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Among his comments were ones on CNBC last week that there was "a chance" they could reopen for the end of the 2019-2020 year.

"(The comments send) a mixed message to students, parents and educators and is at odds with the sound reasoning behind 'The Road Back' blueprint," the letter, signed by the NJ School Boards Association, the NJ Association of School Administrators, the NJ Education Association, the NJ Association of School Business Officials, the NJ PTA and the NJ Principals & Supervisors Association.

The questions about schools also have been raised as Murphy takes steps to begin reopening the state because the number and rates of hospitalizations from the coronavirus has slowed.

"Reopening schools presents serious challenges that are far more complex than even those involved in closing schools and moving to online instruction," the letter said.

School district officials have been wrestling with trying to plan for a reopening of schools and what that might look like in the midst of the crisis. Murphy has suggested children might have to wear masks. Among the many issues districts would have to address are readjusting curriculum, remedial support for students who have fallen behind during the closure, and accommodating social distancing and other preventive measures in classrooms, cafeterias and gymnasiums, on school buses, and during extracurricular activities.

Some parents have said they would be uncomfortable sending children back to school in the midst of the outbreak, and there have been staff members who have expressed similar trepidation at the idea.

Other parents and students, particularly high school seniors. however, want to see the schools reopen, even if it's just for a few weeks. The shutdown has put many of the moments that high school seniors hold dear — including prom, senior trips and especially graduation — in jeopardy.

Student-athletes, too, are hoping to get in even a month's worth of a spring sports season, something the NJSIAA has said is a possibility if schools reopen within the next few weeks. Read more: NJSIAA Hopes For Short Spring Sports Season Amid Coronavirus

While Murphy has made remarks that imply schools could reopen this spring, he also has repeatedly addressed parents, particularly those whose children are seniors, at his news conferences, telling them, "I wouldn't make reservations for graduation just yet. "

"Above all else, parents, students and school staff must be assured that health will not be compromised when schools reopen," the letter to Murphy said. "The current data do not indicate that we can provide such assurance if schools reopen in the spring."

"Addressing these challenges will require thoughtful planning and must involve all segments of
the education community," the letter said. "It is in the best interests of our students that the LEE organizations be involved in the establishment of criteria to reopen schools and in the state’s plan to guide the process."

At Wednesday's coronavirus news conference, Murphy said in response to a question about the letter that there has been no decision made just yet. Read more: NJ Coronavirus Updates: Here's What You Need To Know

"It's something we're looking at very carefully," he said. "(Schools are) virtual until at least May 15th, and we said we would make an announcement before that date," adding that the announcement would likely be well ahead of the May 15 deadline.

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