Murphy: 100% of New Jersey public schools now offer arts programs

Gov. Phil Murphy said Monday at Paramus High School that 100% of the state’s public school districts offer arts programs.

News 12 Staff

Sep 10, 2019, 12:56 AM

Updated 1,683 days ago

Share:

Gov. Phil Murphy celebrated a milestone for New Jersey schools Monday.
The governor said Monday at Paramus High School that 100% of the state’s public school districts offer arts programs.
Murphy took a series of arts classes at the school Monday, including dance, photography and culinary. He says that he is proud a new report shows every student in the state had access to art instruction during the 2017-2018 school year.
The report found that 81% of students - an increase of 250,000 kids - are participating in arts education. But only a quarter of high schools offer all four art education disciplines: art, music, theater and dance. But recent cuts to state aid have impacted some arts programs at New Jersey schools.
“It's somewhere probably between five and eight [elementary schools] that are not going to have art and music,” Paterson Schools Superintendent Eileen Shafer told News 12 New Jersey last week.
Budget cuts hit the Paterson School District hard. Shafer says that 130 teachers were laid off.
"We lost some art and music teachers…and last year was the first year all of our elementary schools had art and music since the state takeover. So, we're kind of taking a step back,” she said.
As districts like Paterson are looking at thinner budgets in the current school year, the governor says the state is offering help.
"The Department of Education, not just in arts, but more broadly, has been working with school districts that have been impacted and we've been able to find in most cases, not in every case, we've been able to find common ground,” Murphy said.
Murphy was in Paramus to celebrate National Arts in Education Week.


More from News 12
2:23
Rutgers police: Person charged for shooting people with Orbeez gun

Rutgers police: Person charged for shooting people with Orbeez gun

3:40
Police: Marlboro Township Public Schools, Trenton Board of Ed receive 'unfounded' bomb threats

Police: Marlboro Township Public Schools, Trenton Board of Ed receive 'unfounded' bomb threats

1:59
Dreary end to the week with some rain returning by Friday afternoon

Dreary end to the week with some rain returning by Friday afternoon

0:27
Police: Husband and wife stole jewelry from Bridgewater retirement facility

Police: Husband and wife stole jewelry from Bridgewater retirement facility

0:29
GoFundMe pages created for Paterson families displaced by house fires

GoFundMe pages created for Paterson families displaced by house fires

2:43
‘Now he literally has a part of me.’ Brother donates part of his liver to twin

‘Now he literally has a part of me.’ Brother donates part of his liver to twin

0:16
Police: Man tried to stab UPS driver who refused to give him a ride

Police: Man tried to stab UPS driver who refused to give him a ride

0:41
Jersey Proud: Holi celebration held at Cooper University Hospital in Camden

Jersey Proud: Holi celebration held at Cooper University Hospital in Camden

0:29
Police: North Carolina man killed in crash on Garden State Parkway in Irvington

Police: North Carolina man killed in crash on Garden State Parkway in Irvington

House of Independents announces initial summer lineup following temporary closure due to flooding damage

House of Independents announces initial summer lineup following temporary closure due to flooding damage

Devils GM Tom Fitzgerald says Travis Green is part of his search for a new coach

Devils GM Tom Fitzgerald says Travis Green is part of his search for a new coach

Atlantic City mayor: I'm committed to my family and city while dealing with daughter abuse charges

Atlantic City mayor: I'm committed to my family and city while dealing with daughter abuse charges

1:55
Bear-resistant trash cans being provided for 6 New Jersey towns

Bear-resistant trash cans being provided for 6 New Jersey towns

7-Eleven, Wawa or QuickCheck? New poll reveals New Jersey’s favorite convenience store

7-Eleven, Wawa or QuickCheck? New poll reveals New Jersey’s favorite convenience store

0:18
Dover police warn residents of men in face coverings knocking on doors

Dover police warn residents of men in face coverings knocking on doors

0:26
‘Stand Your Ground’ bill introduced in New Jersey

‘Stand Your Ground’ bill introduced in New Jersey

0:30
Stepson of former ‘Real Housewives’ star Siggy Flicker arrested in connection on Jan. 6 charges

Stepson of former ‘Real Housewives’ star Siggy Flicker arrested in connection on Jan. 6 charges

0:23
Ford recalls over 456,000 Bronco Sport and Maverick cars due to loss of drive power risk

Ford recalls over 456,000 Bronco Sport and Maverick cars due to loss of drive power risk

2:47
Capturing the moment at Zimmerli Museum in New Brunswick

Capturing the moment at Zimmerli Museum in New Brunswick

0:51
Save money while helping the planet with these 12 energy-efficient tips

Save money while helping the planet with these 12 energy-efficient tips