The Gopal, Houghtaling, and Downey team continues to deliver for Monmouth County families.

OCEAN — This week, New Jersey students are officially back in the classroom. As the 2021-2022 school year begins, Democrats Vin Gopal, Eric Houghtaling, and Joann Downey (D-Monmouth) are highlighting key elements of their record of success fighting for Monmouth County classrooms.

“I have worked with Vin Gopal, Eric Houghtaling, and Joann Downey throughout the pandemic,” said Monmouth County Education Association President Denise King. “They met with, listened to and addressed educator and support staff concerns to facilitate the safe operations of schools. Without their unwavering support, Monmouth County schools staff and faculty may not have been able to open safely and effectively.”

“As we embark on a new school year, we are proud of the work that our Democratic team is doing in Trenton to fight for Monmouth County’s students and teachers,” said Democrats Vin Gopal, Eric Houghtaling, and Joann Downey. “We’ve passed significant legislation that our office has sponsored to fight for Monmouth County schools, and we have fought for increased funding in the state budget, including $400 million for extraordinary special education costs. When re-elected, we’ll continue to fight to provide our teachers and students with the opportunities and resources they deserve.”

Below are some of the Gopal, Houghtaling, and Downey team’s top accomplishments on education policy:

-Secured $6 million in funding for independent colleges like Monmouth University in the FY2022 budget.

-Fought for additional funding for school districts with military students in the FY2022 budget.

-Advocated for and gained $400 million for extraordinary special education costs, bringing in $10 million for LD11 school districts in the FY2022 budget.

-Achieved an increase from $36 to $42 per student for nonpublic school technology during the COVID-19 pandemic in the FY2022 budget.

-Sponsored and passed legislation to permit superintendents to designate any school employee as a school safety specialist.

-Sponsored and passed legislation to establish a grant program and tuition reimbursement program for certain S.T.E.M. teachers.

-Sponsored and passed legislation to require that higher education institutions accommodate students who cannot meet deadlines due to religious observances.

-Sponsored and passed legislation to provide in-state tuition at higher education institutions to individuals who are entitled to benefits under the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs’ Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Program.

-Sponsored and passed legislation to prevent school employees who engage in questionable conduct involving children from seeking employment at another school.

-Supported legislation to make it easier for students to access mental health services.

-Supported legislation to require that civics be taught in middle school.

Senator Vin Gopal, Assemblyman Eric Houghtaling, and Assemblywoman Joann Downey are running for re-election to serve the 11th Legislative District, which covers 18 municipalities within Monmouth County.

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