On Monday, July 14, 2025, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in favor of the Trump administration, clearing the way for the administration to carry out its plans to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education. The disastrous decision will undoubtedly have an unknown ripple effect, sure to be felt in schools and at kitchen tables across the nation, including here in New Jersey. NJEA President Sean Spiller, Vice President Steve Beatty and Secretary-Treasurer Petal Robertson responded to the decision:
“This deeply misguided decision, upheld by the court’s six right-wing justices, will have a devastating impact on children and schools. Period,” said NJEA President Sean Spiller. “Schools will lose funding, children will be hungry and families will pay the price for the Trump administration’s obsession with attacking middle-class Americans. It’s disappointing, yet, sadly, it fits an all-too-predictable pattern. As educators, we will bear witness to the untold consequences that the decision will have for years to come. But we won’t sit by and wait; we will get to work. Because while the Trump administration refuses to support our educators and students, we always will.”
“With this decision, President Trump shows us exactly how little he values everyday working people and their families,” said Vice President Steve Beatty. “This unprovoked attack on the USED appeases conspiracy theorists and extremists while devastating an institution designed to equitably allocate funding to children, support public schools through grants and prevent discrimination in our public schools. It reveals in stark terms just how this administration—and this court—does not value all students in our nation’s schools. This ruling today mocks those Black students whose schools have been historically, purposefully and systemically underfunded. The ruling signals to LGBTQIA+ students and educators that the federal government will not protect or support them. By moving forward with this insidious plan, the Trump administration allows families to suffer so it can claim ‘victory.’ It’s not right, and we will fight this tooth and nail.”
“With the stroke of a pen and without any input from Congress, President Trump and his carefully curated, feckless justices sent a terrifying message to public-sector employees and union members everywhere,” said Secretary-Treasurer Petal Robertson. “With this decision, President Trump effectively and unilaterally fired more than 1,300 hardworking, nonpartisan employees who’ve dedicated their lives to supporting public schools across the nation. That’s 1,300 lives upended. That’s 1,300 families who were left without income, and 1,300 union members who saw their collective bargaining agreements trampled without a word from elected officials. The Supreme Court may not be willing to stand up for what’s just and fair, but, as NJEA members know, we will. We stand in solidarity with our union siblings who are hurting today. And we vow: your fight is our fight, and together, we won’t be silenced.”
“We are calling on NJEA members to contact their representatives in Congress,” concluded Spiller. “We want to call our representatives, share our stories and let them know that we will not stand by idly as President Trump and his billionaire backers wreak havoc on our American values. We must continue to stand strong and united and prepare to push back against this and all future attacks on the public schools that we dedicate our lives to.”
Contact your NJ Congressional Representative Today!
| Name | District | Party | DC Office Phone | NJ Office Phone |
| Donald Norcross | 1st | Democrat | (202) 225-6501 | (856) 427-7000 |
| Jeff Van Drew | 2nd | Republican | (202) 225-6572 | (609) 625-5008 |
| Herb Conaway | 3rd | Democrat | (202) 225-4765 | (609) 438-6290 |
| Chris Smith | 4th | Republican | (202) 225-3765 | (732) 504-0567 |
| Josh Gottheimer | 5th | Democrat | (202) 225-4465 | (201) 389-1100 |
| Frank Pallone Jr. | 6th | Democrat | (202) 225-4671 | (732) 571-1140 |
| Thomas Kean Jr. | 7th | Republican | (202) 225-5361 | (908) 547-3307 |
| Rob Menendez | 8th | Democrat | (202) 225-7919 | (201) 309-0301 |
| Nellie Pou | 9th | Democrat | (202) 225-5751 | (973) 523-5152 |
| LaMonica McIver | 10th | Democrat | (202) 225-3436 | (973) 645-3213 |
| Mikie Sherrill | 11th | Democrat | (202) 225-5034 | (973) 526-5668 |
| Bonnie Watson Coleman | 12th | Democrat | (202) 225-5801 | (609) 883-0026 |