EDUCATION & SAFE SCHOOLS
Ask any parent why they left Trenton, and education is at the top of the list. Our schools aren't safe. They're not preparing children for success. Parents are forced to choose between living in the city and sending their kids to expensive private schools, or moving to the suburbs where public schools perform better.
That's not a choice parents should have to make.
Rolando's parents were high school dropouts, but they understood the value of education. All five of their children graduated from Trenton Central High School. All five became professionals. But all five left Trenton to raise their own families elsewhere—in part because they didn't believe their children could get a quality education here.
That has to change. If we want to keep families in Trenton, if we want educated young people to stay and invest in this community, we have to give them confidence that their children will be safe and successful in our schools.
The Plan
Make Schools Safe
• Work with the Trenton Board of Education and school administration to ensure adequate security
• Address violence, bullying, and disruptions that interfere with learning
• Create partnerships between schools and police that focus on safety and mentorship
• Ensure every child can learn in an environment free from fear
Improve Academic Performance
• Demand accountability for student outcomes
• Support teachers with resources, training, and competitive compensation
• Implement proven programs that raise achievement levels
• Set high expectations and provide the support needed to meet them
Invest in Facilities and Resources
• Ensure school buildings are safe, clean, and well-maintained
• Provide up-to-date technology and learning materials
• Create environments that inspire learning and pride
Expand Opportunities for Students
• Support vocational and technical education for students interested in skilled trades
• Provide college prep and advanced placement courses for students pursuing higher education
• Create partnerships with local businesses for internships and job shadowing
• Ensure every student has a pathway to success after graduation
Engage Parents and Community
• Make parents true partners in their children's education
• Create opportunities for community involvement in schools
• Communicate transparently about challenges and progress
• Build pride in our schools and our students
Advocate at the State Level
• While the mayor doesn't control the school board, he can be a powerful advocate
• Push for adequate state funding and support
• Demand accountability from state education officials
• Ensure Trenton schools get their fair share of resources
Why This Matters
Education is the pathway out of poverty. It's how Rolando's family achieved the American Dream. It's how thousands of other families have built better lives. But when parents don't trust the schools, they leave—taking their income, their taxes, and their community investment with them.
We can't afford to lose another generation of educated, ambitious families. We have to give parents a reason to stay and raise their children here. That starts with safe, high-performing schools.
Let’s go from Trenton to Triumph!!!