Election Rumblings Harrison Announces Plan to Provide Better Education for Trenton Students
Mayoral candidate Duncan Harrison announced his plan to provide a better education for every student in Trenton. Harrison’s plan will implement changes that have a track record of success while also looking beyond the classroom to tackle issues such as poverty and violence that make it difficult for students to succeed.
“Our Trenton revolution is about making the bold changes Trenton needs today to put us on the right track to build the future we’ve been waiting for,” Harrison said, “Our students are our future, and I am dedicated to making sure they receive the topnotch education they deserve so they can succeed individually and so our city can continue to grow and thrive.”
Harrison has spoken with teachers and administrators in Trenton and around the state who teach at all levels, from pre-school through higher education. Harrison has also met with parents and students in Trenton to learn what families in the city need to succeed. From these conversations, Harrison has developed a plan to provide every student in Trenton with a world-class education by:
• Making sure our students get the early education they need. Research shows that high quality early education improves outcomes for students throughout their time in school and beyond, so Harrison has developed a plan to establish universal Pre-K in Trenton.
• Opening community libraries in our neighborhoods. Trenton’s students want to learn outside of school, but without libraries many of them do not have the resources to pursue their passions. Harrison is devoted to making sure every Trentonian has the tools they need to achieve their goals, and expanding access to books, free internet access, and quiet learning spaces is a key change that will allow students to develop the skills they need to succeed in the classroom and beyond.
• Expanding training and higher education programs to set Trenton students up for careers by partnering with colleges and universities in the city to establish a university center downtown that will be a lively academic and cultural hub for all Trentonians. Harrison will also partner with Mercer County Community College and the County Vo-Tech to provide training and continuing education programs for workers in Trenton so they can develop and hone the skills they need to compete for good jobs in today’s economy.
• Increasing dialogue and engagement with parents, teachers, and students by appointing an Education Liaison in the Mayor’s Office whose primary responsibility will be to work with parents, teachers, and schools to improve education outcomes.
• Ensuring strong leadership that is transparent and accountable. Harrison will appoint qualified, knowledgeable School Board members who accurately represent all of Trenton.
Harrison also understands that students do not learn in a vacuum. In order for students to succeed, they need to feel secure and comfortable in their communities. That is why Harrison’s Trenton revolution takes a holistic approach to building a new future for Trenton that includes:
• Improving public safety by hiring more police officers who live in the communities they serve and expanding the use of security cameras and ShotSpotter technology;
• Revitalizing Trenton’s neighborhoods by picking up litter, rebuilding abandoned properties, and cracking down on illegal dumping; and
• Expanding opportunities for economic empowerment by implementing training and internship programs, helping Trenton businesses grow, and bringing new jobs to Trenton.
“Our Trenton revolution is about making the bold changes we need to build the bright future we deserve,” Harrison stated, “Education is the key to building a better future, which is why I have developed a bold plan to revolutionize our school system from Pre-K to the end of high school and beyond. Trentonians have what it takes to succeed, and our city government needs to be a partner that creates the best opportunities for everyone in our city to learn, grow, and thrive.”