Protecting Students and Staff, Improving Learning

Every school day in New Jersey, children, teachers and school staff face conditions that can cause illness or injury and that make it harder to teach and to learn. On average, New Jersey’s 2,500 school buildings are 50 years old and are four times more densely populated than office buildings. Age, overcrowding, and deferred maintenance strain ventilation, heating, plumbing, electrical systems, and waste energy. Students and staff in many schools are exposed to mold and other indoor air pollutants, triggering asthma attacks and absences due to illness. More than 20% of schools report conditions defined as “so potentially hazardous that they cause an imminent peril to the health and safety of students or staff.”

OUR CAMPAIGN PLATFORM

1. Safe and modernized school buildings. The N.J. Legislature must make funding available for school facilities projects. Currently the Schools Development Authority funding is completely allocated to projects and more funding is needed to address new construction and renovation projects. It is imperative we invest without delay.

2. Danger-free learning environments. As required by law, the N.J. Department of Education and Schools Development Authority must correct imminent dangers.

3. Healthy air. All schools should comply with state indoor air quality standards that are too often ignored. The N.J. Health Department should ensure that everyone understands the law and that it is followed.

4. Safe temperatures. The legislature should enact the Safe Temperatures Act, A1044/S1224,
to require school districts to have a plan to address extreme temperatures.

Mercury Free Schools Petition

FIGHTING FOR WORTHWHILE OUTCOMES

  • A school environment without extreme heat or cold, poor air circulation, mold, or toxic materials such as lead, asbestos, PCBs, and unsafe cleaning products.
  • A productive learning environment in which students have access to 21st century technology and are not distracted by rain coming through ceilings or cold winds blowing through windows.
  • A reduced rate of absenteeism, providing greater continuity for students, staff, and parents.
  • A boost to our economy and local tax base by creating 10,000 construction/renovation jobs annually.
  • A smart return on investment as we save money now spent or lost because of illnesses, absences, and energy waste. Updating each school’s energy efficiency can save an average of $100,000 a year.

View a photo collection of unsafe schools from the New Jersey Schools Development Authority.

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RESOURCES

Healthy School Now

RIGHT TO KNOW ACT

COVID-19: 

SDA Funding:

 Mercury in Flooring:

School Hazard Facts for Families Factsheet Series:

Cleaning & Disinfecting:

Lead in Drinking Water:

Lead in Drinking Water Reports:

Artificial Turf:

CAMPAIGN PARTNERS

  • ABBOTT LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE
  • ADVOCATES FOR CHILDREN OF NJ
  • AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF UNIVERSITY PROFESSORS (AAUP)
  • AMERICAN FEDERATION OF TEACHERS NEW JERSEY(AFT NJ)
  • AMERICAN FEDERATION OF TEACHERS/NEWARK TEACHERS UNION (AFT/NTU)
  • ATLANTIC COUNTY COUNCIL OF EDUCATION ASSOCIATIONS
  • BADASS TEACHERS ASSOCIATION
  • BAYONNE EDUCATION ASSOCIATION
  • BERGEN COUNTY EDUCATION ASSOCIATION
  • BURLINGTON COUNTY EDUCATION ASSOCIATION
  • CAMDEN COUNTY NAACP
  • CAMDEN EDUCATION ASSOCIATION
  • CAPE MAY COUNTY EDUCATION ASSOCIATIONS
  • CEDAR GROVE EDUCATION ASSOCIATION
  • CHERRY HILL EDUCATION ASSOCIATION
  • CITY OF CAMDEN SCHOOL DISTRICT
  • CLEAN WATER ACTION NEW JERSEY
  • CLIFTON EDUCATION ASSOCIATION
  • CODE FOR TRENTON
  • COMMUNICATION WORKERS OF AMERICA LOCAL 1037 (CWA)
  • COMMUNICATIONS WORKERS OF AMERICA (CWA) LOCAL 1039
  • COMMUNITY CHARTER SCHOOL [OF PATERSON] EDUCATION ASSOCIATION
  • COMMUNITY CHARTER SCHOOL OF PATERSON
  • CUMBERLAND COUNTY EDUCATION ASSOCIATION (CCCEA)
  • EAST ORANGE EDUCATION ASSOCIATION
  • EAST ORANGE MAINTENANCE ASSOCIATION
  • EAST TRENTON COLLABORATIVE
  • EDUCATION ASSOCIATION OF PASSAIC
  • EDUCATION LAW CENTER
  • ENVIRONMENT NEW JERSEY
  • ESPERANZA NEIGHBORHOOD PROJECT OF NEW BRUNSWICK
  • ESSEX COUNTY COUNCIL FOR YOUNG CHILDREN
  • ESSEX COUNTY EDUCATION ASSOCIATION
  • FRANKLIN LAKES EDUCATION ASSOCIATION
  • FREEHOLD TOWNSHIP EDUCATION ASSOCIATION
  • GARDEN STATE COALITION OF SCHOOLS
  • GATEWAY COMMUNITY ACTION PARTNERSHIPS
  • GLOUCESTER COUNTY EDUCATION ASSOCIATION
  • HAMILTON TOWNSHIP EDUCATION ASSOCIATION
  • HAMILTON TOWNSHIP SECRETARIES ASSOCIATION
  • HEALTH PROFESSIONALS AND ALLIED EMPLOYEES (HPAE)
  • HILLSBOROUGH EDUCATION ASSOCIATION
  • HOUSING and COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT NETWORK OF NJ (The)
  • HUDSON COUNTY EDUCATION ASSOCIATION
  • IRONBOUND COMMUNITY CORPORATION
  • ISLES
  • JERSEY CITY PARA-PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATION
  • JERSEY CITY PTA
  • JERSEY CITY TOGETHER
  • LAN ASSOCIATES
  • LATINO INSTITUTE, INC.
  • LEAD-FREE NJ, NEW JERSEY FUTURE
  • LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OF NJ
  • LiUna LOCAL 78
  • LONG BRANCH EDUCATION ASSOCIATION
  • MEMORIAL MIDDLE SCHOOL PTA
  • MERCER COUNTY EDUCATION ASSOCIATION
  • MERCER STREET FRIENDS
  • METRO INDUSTRIAL AREAS FOUNDATION (IAF)
  • METUCHEN EDISON NAACP
  • MIDDLESEX COUNTY EDUCATION ASSOCIATION
  • MILLVILLE EDUCATION ASSOCIATION
  • MOMS CLEAN AIR FORCE
  • MONMOUTH COUNTY EDUCATION ASSOCIATION
  • MOORE HEALTH & SAFETY
  • MORRIS COUNTY EDUCATION ASSOCIATION
  • MY ETERNAL FAMILY
  • NAACP NEW JERSEY STATE CONFERENCE
  • NEW BRUNSWICK EDUCATION ASSOCIATION
  • NEW JERSEY PTA
  • NEW JERSEY SIERRA CLUB
  • NEW JERSEY STATE SCHOOL NURSES ASSOCIATION (NJSSNA)
  • NEWARK EDUCATION WORKERS CAUCUS
  • NEWARK WATER COALITION
  • NJ ASSOCIATION OF BLACK EDUCATORS
  • NJ ASSOCIATION OF DESIGNATED PERSONS
  • NJ ASSOCIATION OF SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS (NJASA)
  • NJ BLACK ISSUES CONVENTION
  • NJ COMMUNITIES UNITED
  • NJ COMMUNITY SCHOOLS COALITION
  • NJ ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE ALLIANCE
  • NJ FOOD AND WATER WATCH
  • NJ POLICY PERSPECTIVE
  • NJ PRINCIPALS AND SUPERVISORS ASSOCIATION
  • NJ SCHOOLS BOARDS ASSOCIATION
  • NJ WORKING FAMILIES ALLIANCE
  • NJ21 UNITED
  • NEW JERSEY EDUCATION ASSOCIATION
  • NORTH PLAINFIELD EDUCATION ASSOCIATION
  • OLD BRIDGE EDUCATION ASSOCIATION
  • ORANGE HIGH SCHOOL
  • ORANGES & MAPLEWOOD NAACP
  • OUR CHILDREN/OUR SCHOOLS
  • PARAMUS EDUCATION ASSOCIATION
  • PARENT EDUCATION ORGANIZING COUNCIL
  • PASSAIC ASSOCIATION OF EDUCATION OFFICE PROFESSIONALS (PAEOP)
  • PASSAIC COUNTY EDUCATION ASSOCIATIONS
  • PASSAIC MAINTENANCE CUSTODIAN & CAFETERIA ASSOCIATION (PMCC)
  • PATERSON ALLIANCE
  • PATERSON CUSTODIAL MAINTENANCE ASSOCIATION (PCMA)
  • PATERSON EDUCATION ASSOCIATION
  • PATERSON EDUCATION FUND
  • PATERSON PUBLIC SCHOOLS
  • PERTH AMBOY FEDERATION/AFT LOCAL 857
  • PLAINFIELD EDUCATION ASSOCIATION
  • PLAY IT SAFE MAHWAH
  • PUERTO RICAN ACTION BOARD
  • QUEENS MENTORING PROGRAM
  • SALEM COUNTY COUNCIL OF EDUCATION ASSOCIATIONS
  • SAVE OUR SCHOOLS NJ
  • SHILOH COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION
  • SOMERSET COUNTY EDUCATION ASSOCIATION
  • SOUTH AMBOY EDUCATION ASSOCIATION
  • SPAN PARENT ADVOCACY NETWORK
  • STATEWIDE EDUCATION ORGANIZING COMMITTEE
  • SUSSEX COUNTY EDUCATION ASSOCIATION
  • SUSTAINABLE CHERRY HILL
  • SUSTAINABLE JERSEY FOR SCHOOLS
  • SWEDESBORO-WOOLWICH EDUCATION ASSOCIATION
  • THE LABOR INSTITUTE
  • TRENTON BRANCH, NAACP
  • TRENTON EDUCATION ASSOCIATION
  • TRENTON UNITED PARENTS AND COMMUNITY (TUPAC)
  • UIH FAMILY PARTNERS
  • UNIDOS POR ESCUELAS DIGNAS [UNITED FOR DIGNIFIED SCHOOLS]
  • UNION COUNTY EDUCATION ASSOCIATION
  • UPPER TOWNSHIP EDUCATION ASSOCIATION (UTEA)
  • VINELAND EDUCATION ASSOCIATION
  • WARREN COUNTY VOCATIONAL-TECHNICAL SCHOOL EDUCATION ASSOCIATION
  • WARREN HILLS REGIONAL EDUCATIONAL ASSOCIATION
  • WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP SCHOOLS SUPPORTIVE SERVICES PERSONNEL ASSOCIATION
  • WAYNE EDUCATION ASSOCIATION
  • WILLINGBORO SCHOOL DISTRICT
  • WIND OF THE SPIRIT
  • WOODBRIDGE EDUCATION ASSOCIATION