Democratic Candidates for Morris County Commissioner Statement Against Harmful Faculty Layoffs at County College of Morris

Today the Democratic candidates for Morris County Commissioner – T.C. McCourt, A.J. Oliver, and Dina Mikulka – are calling on the Morris County Board of County Commissioners to stand with the six non-tenured County College of Morris (CCM) faculty members that were notified last Friday that their positions would be eliminated.  These faculty members were told via phone that their non-renewal was due to “declining enrollment.”

“These cuts are highly suspect, seeing as how all of those notified are active union members,” said T.C. McCourt. “In fact, one faculty member is the union president and two others are union leaders.  Add this with the revelation that all six were on track to earn tenure beginning next year, and you have a very concerning situation.  As the husband of a proud NJEA member, I know attempted union busting when I see it.”

“CCM was just awarded $12.7 millon in federal stimulus money,” said A.J. Oliver.  “On top of the nearly $95 million in stimulus money that the Morris County Government has been given, there is no financial reason for these cuts.”

McCourt, Oliver, and Mikulka will be making stronger cooperation and increased investment in secondary and tertiary education a key focus of their campaign, with concrete policy proposals coming in the months ahead.

“County College of Morris is an asset to the students of Morris County,” said Dina Mikulka.  “The outstanding faculty that has spent the last year re-learning how to educate deserve to be protected, not targeted.  If we’re elected, we’ll be strong supporters of CCM, those who work there, and those who study there.”