While deeply disappointed, we were not shocked to learn that State Senator Raj Mukherji is calling for an appointed Board of Education in Jersey City. This proposal is not only undemocratic, but it raises serious concerns about political control and backroom deals — especially given Sen. Mukherji’s close ties to State Senator/Union City Mayor Brian Stack and their endorsement of the political machine’s choice for mayor, Jim McGreevey.
If Raj wants to question disparities in our public schools, he should start by explaining how Union City receives almost double the amount of state aid as Jersey City, but is less than a quarter of its size. Union City funds only 5% of their school budget through local taxes while Jersey City taxpayers must fund 50%. This is clearly a politically motivated disparity given Sen. Stack’s position in Trenton as Chairman of the influential Judiciary Committee, and Sen. Mukherji himself has pointed out the fact that cuts to Jersey City’s school aid are political on multiple occasions.
Let’s be honest: the push for an appointed school board isn’t about improving education. It’s about consolidating political power. Mukherji has long aligned himself with Stack, whose political machine is notorious for rewarding loyalty and silencing dissent. Giving the mayor—or anyone else—the power to handpick board members opens the door to political favoritism and removes the most basic form of accountability: elections. In a time when we are seeing the democratic principles upon which this nation was founded coming under attack every day in Washington, this is yet another step in the wrong direction.
What’s even more disturbing is that this legislation is being introduced just months before a critical election for mayor. Both Mukherji and Stack, along with the rest of the political machine in Hudson County and beyond, have endorsed Jim McGreevey for mayor despite his many obvious defects as a candidate. Now, they are attempting to consolidate even more power.
Also remember that an appointed school board was tried before in the 1980s, and it led directly to a state takeover that took decades to reverse. Full local control was only re-established in 2022, and going back to the arrangement that led to the state takeover in the first place would be ludicrous.
Our schools don’t need more political interference. What they need is transparency, investment, and real community engagement. An elected board may not be perfect, but at least it gives parents, teachers, and residents a voice. Taking that away would be a disservice to the people of Jersey City, especially those who’ve fought hard for representation in decisions that affect their children’s futures.
If Senator Mukherji was genuinely concerned about our public schools, and not simply looking to exert political control over Jersey City at a time when the political machine’s influence is clearly weakening here, he would have communicated directly with Superintendent Fernandez and other JCBOE officials to discuss this legislative overreach. His ongoing lack of engagement with Jersey City stakeholders, and self-congratulatory press release regarding the recent state budget speaks directly to Mukherji’s intentions. Raj should focus on supporting our schools—not silencing our votes.