subject: Can Oprah help save N.J. training? [print this page] It is an insane world, isn't it? It is an insane world, isn't it?
Education policy for the state's largest metropolis is being decided on the Oprah Winfrey show. Or, at the least, publicized there.
By now, everybody who cares is aware of that Mark Zuckerberg, who made a lot of money 10 times over by creating Facebook, is contributing $100 million for the Newark education system.
Zuckerberg joined with Newark Mayor Cory Booker and Gov. Chris Christie to officially unveil the offer on Friday's "Oprah Winfrey Show."
Is this show business or schooling? National politics or glitz?
Other than the theatrics of it all, why must individuals in Morris County care about this?
For one thing, Newark gets millions of dollars in state money, some of that will come from Morris County. It would be to the benefit of the state - and the county - if schooling aid towards the metropolis was reduced. Additionally, it is important for the state as a whole, actually, to society as a whole, that young people are educated wherever they reside.
Booker, Christie and Zuckerberg scheduled a conference call with the press after taping the show.
Most of the questions had been for Booker and Zuckerberg. Can you imagine Christie being totally overlooked?
Zuckerberg, 26, said that he believes in each Christie and Booker. That could be, but, in truth, it's doubtful he is aware of all that much about them.
The real question here has nothing to do with what Zuckerberg thinks, but how the $100 million will probably be used. To simplify things, how is this windfall going to improve life for a Newark five-grader? That concern was not addressed.
The conversation with Oprah barely journeyed past generalities, although the governor did hint to his hand a bit on his priorities - charter schools. Christie is really a large proponent of charter schools. Recall that his first post-election appearance was at the Robert Treat Academy, a charter school on Newark's north side.
Seated on a chair on the set of the Oprah show, the governor reiterated a story about a Newark mom who stated the determing factor of whether or not her child will get an education or goes to prison is whether or not or not he gets into a charter school.
Keeping with the drama of it all, that mother was portrayed in the movie, "The Cartel," a documentary that takes a critical look at public education in New Jersey.
Booker, of course, is considered an achievable challenger to Christie in the 2013 election. Right now each gentlemen have a typical stake in hoping that a lot more children in Newark graduate high school. Which is bipartisanship for you.
