Buono tours Trenton Central High School
TRENTON — Trenton Central High School students got a practical lesson in civics and politics as democratic gubernatorial candidate Barbara Buono visited the high school on Thursday to bring attention to its deplorable conditions.
Buono, organized a press conference rally in front of TCHS flanked by students, administrators and local politicos.
Buono talked about reducing educational inequality in New Jersey and promised to ensure that all students, regardless of their background, have the same opportunities to learn.
According to her education platform outlined on her website, she is in favor of “fully funding K-12 schools according to the School Funding Reform Act” and “repairing crumbling school facilities” which hits home for many TCHS students.
“The ceiling is falling on people, the walls are moldy, the floors aren’t safe to walk on, people get sick from smelling the mold and the dust, there are insects and mice around the building — it’s just not safe,” said TCHS’ student Ashanti Sanchez.
The School Development Authority has designated funds for renovation, but they do not kick-in until the summer of 2014 for exterior repairs and 2015 for interior repairs.
At the rally, administrators also expressed their concern for the building conditions.
“Each and every day, our students, our staff come into this building to either learn or instruct in the midst of mold growing out of the walls and window seals,” said Trenton Education Association President, Naomi Johnson-Lafleur who was coordinate the event from the microphone.
The rally offered Buono an opportunity to take Gov. Christie to task for his decision not to visit TCHS. The candidate implied that Christie was embarrassed for not funding repairs.
“When Chris Christie said he had no plans to come here, and you know it’s not right and I know it’s not right, but let’s be honest you can see why; if my administration had held up funding for four years to fix this school and others like it, I‘d be embarrassed that I hadn’t come even one time for a visit — I’d be ashamed,” Buono said to applause from the crowd.
Buono also accused Christie of political expediency in deciding not to visit TCHS.
“Gov. Christies does not want the endorsement of this mayor (Mack), it does not benefit him — he feels, and so the children are suffering because it is not in his political self-interest ,” she added. After the press conference rally, TCHS principal Hope Grant ushered Buono on a tour of the building visiting various classrooms and hallways that where evidently deteriorating.
“I’ve seen prisons in better conditions than this school,” she said as she observed crumbling walls.
Some students roamed the building participating in their after school activities and implored Buono to do something about the building.
Local elected officials also walked alongside Buono expressing frustration at the school’s condition.
“I expect that our community is really going come together to push this governor and this administration to do something about this building. I’ve been working out of this building for 15 year and it has been the same for 15 years, our children cannot continue to live in this,” said Mercer County Freeholder Sam Frisby.
“This is worse than living like animals and we need our government to listen to this community. It might not be a community of means but it is a community that needs us right now,” he added.
“Our children deserve a better environment,” said East Ward Councilwoman Verlina Reynolds-Jackson.
Assemblyman Reed Gusciora asked the state to immediately take action because the Trenton students are in emergency situation.
Superintendent Duran did not want to comment about the event.