NJEA’s Insightful Take on the State of the State Address

The officers of NJEA, President Sean M. Spiller, Vice President Steve Beatty, and Secretary-Treasurer Petal Robertson, issued this statement following Governor Phil Murphy’s 2025 State of the State address this afternoon:

“As Governor Phil Murphy approaches the final year of his term, he has made it evident that he intends to push forward vigorously. We are heartened by his resolve to build upon previous achievements aimed at enhancing our schools, safeguarding our environment, supporting our democracy, and making our state more affordable for the families who reside in New Jersey.

“His initiative to implement full-day kindergarten in all districts across New Jersey and to keep expanding pre-K opportunities for more students in additional communities will yield benefits for many years to come. Investments made today in education—particularly in early education—will pay off manifold in a more robust future economy. It is vital for New Jersey to maintain its status as a national leader in every facet of public education, from preschool through college, and establishing a solid early foundation will assist us in realizing that goal.

“We also commend Governor Murphy for addressing the worries that numerous educators and parents have regarding the negative impacts of cellphones within classrooms. As New Jersey seeks to minimize the distractions these devices create during the school day, we urge the New Jersey Department of Education to provide guidelines that direct districts to collaborate with parents and educators in each community and at every school level, determining which specific policy will best meet the academic, safety, and mental health needs of students. Collective input and community engagement will contribute to the success of those policies more effectively than any blanket ban imposed from above.

“Moreover, we applaud Governor Murphy for his continuous dedication to pension funding. As the first governor in this century to attain full funding, he has positioned New Jersey on the path toward fiscal responsibility. We are eager to build on that advancement by once again transforming New Jersey’s pension system into a tool for attracting and retaining the committed professionals who will ensure our schools remain the finest in the nation.

“In the upcoming year, we anticipate collaborating with Governor Murphy and the Legislature to accomplish the objectives he discussed today. We also look forward to electing our endorsed candidate, Sean Spiller, as New Jersey’s next governor, allowing him to extend that progress and support New Jersey in reaching even greater accomplishments.”