AFT New Jersey

09/04/2026

From NJ.com:
N.J. parents are spending up to $100 just on school supplies — and experts say it’s getting worse
https://www.nj.com/education/2026/09/a-100-back-to-school-supply-list-see-the-shocking-price-jumps-hitting-nj-families.html

NJ.com priced out supply lists from districts across the state to show the real cost of heading back to class.

09/04/2026

https://www.njspotlightnews.org/2026/09/school-workers-may-have-no-clarity-on-2027-health-insurance-costs/

Tasked with decision on 34% rate increase, commission deadlocks -- and it's not meeting again until days before open enrollment begins

09/04/2026

This event begins at 7 p.m. ET on Sept. 8 — register here:
https://www.mobilize.us/raceforward/event/596321/

09/03/2026

https://www.chalkbeat.org/newark/2026/09/02/student-and-family-self-deport-as-trump-immigration-crackdown-continues/

Fearing the Trump administration’s crackdown on immigration, 16-year-old Bruno’s family is self-deporting. The Newark teen dreams of returning to the U.S. in the future.

09/03/2026

From The New York Times:
Trump Moves to Strip Tax Exemption From Schools That Aid Minority Students
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/09/03/business/economy/trump-irs-college-nonprofits.html

09/03/2026

“AFT New Jersey is encouraged by the Sherrill administration’s willingness to address the structural issues facing healthcare benefits for New Jersey’s hard-working public employees. We are ready to roll up our sleeves and get to work to help make healthcare affordable and sustainable for our members.” — AFTNJ President Jennifer S. Higgins

TRENTON – Governor Mikie Sherrill and 17 unions representing state employees today announced an agreement that waives increases in state employees’ health benefit contribution rates in 2027 and launches a broader, state-led effort to make the State Health Benefits Program more sustainable.

09/03/2026

From The Chronicle of Higher Education:
How Much Are Public-College Presidents Paid?

Explore our updated dataset of base pay, bonuses, and benefits for 172 chief executives at public doctoral universities and systems in 2025.

09/02/2026

Hello? Don't forget NJ's new cell phone ban in schools this year
https://www.northjersey.com/story/news/education/2026/09/02/nj-school-cell-phone-ban-leaders-students-prepare/91458119007/

09/02/2026

From The New York Times:
A.I. Is to Be Banned in N.Y.C. Elementary and Middle Schools

A new policy to be announced by the Department of Education bars younger students from using artificial intelligence, but stops short of a moratorium.

09/02/2026

“The survey shows educators want politicians to not just care about their work and the students they teach, but to strengthen, not abandon, our nation’s public schools.” — AFT President Randi Weingarten

WASHINGTON—The AFT today released a new national survey that reveals a teaching profession in crisis, with educators stressed out, working second jobs, battling rising costs and forking out hundreds of dollars from their own pockets for classroom supplies and f