Tonight on NJ PBS news.

The long simmering issue of public school segregation in new Jersey was back on the docket today.

An appeals court being asked to reconsider the constitutionality of the state's public school system in light of decades of racial imbalances.

Tonight, we talk with the plaintiffs lawye about where the case now stands and why this issue has dogged our state for so long.

Also, it's a prime stretch of real estate along the Atlantic City boardwalk.

And tonight, it's now in the hands of a wealthy businessman and South Jersey political power broker, Mr.

George Norcross.

He and his family and various partners have purchased the former Trump Plaza casino site.

But the big questio now, what will they do with it?

Tonight we talked to Atlantic City's mayor and a tourism expert about the deal also.

Activists are calling it a full blow childcare crisis in new Jersey.

And they swarmed the state House today to plead their case to lawmakers.

Low wages, high staf turnover and skyrocketing costs that can cause families 20,000 a year or more.

Activists say it's an economic storm that some daycares simply cannot survive.

We are in Trenton with the latest on an issue impacting so many families across our state.

NJ PBS news starts now.

This is NJ PBS news with Rob Nelson.

Good evening.

We begin tonight with a legal battle that could force new Jersey to rethink, literally, where thousands of children go to school for eight years.

A coalition of families and civil rights groups.

They've argued that New Jersey's publi schools are deeply segregated, and that state policies requiring most kids to attend school where they live help keep them that way.

While lower court found marke and persistent racial imbalance in numerous districts, but that court stopped short of declaring the entire state system unconstitutional.

Well, today, the plaintiffs asked an appeal court to overturn that decision and indeed hold the state responsible.

A ruling could take many months, but if the plaintiffs win, the fight would move to an even bigger question.

How does Jersey fix all of this?

Robert Kim is an attorney for the plaintiffs and also executive director of the Education Law Center and is joining us now for a look at what happened inside that courtroom today.

Mr.

Kim, really d appreciate your time on on this profoundly important issue for hundreds of thousands of kids and families in new Jersey, in plain speak.

What happened in in in court today?

Where does this all stand now in year eight of being in court?

Yeah.

Thank you for having me.

Today was the first appellant opportunity to to for this case to go to an appellate court to discuss the issue of segregation across new Jersey.

And so, as you noted, the case was filed in way back in 2018 on behalf of numerous civil rights organizations and parents across new Jersey to finally, once and for all, declare that that this proble of segregation across new Jersey public schools violates numerous provisions of the Constitution.

And so, at the appellate hearing today, we did we heard plaintiffs, my co-counsel, argue that the facts are very plain here, that that 275,000 black and Latino students in numerous districts across new Jersey are attending school that are 90% or more nonwhite.

And in fact, 1 in black students in New Jersey's attending a school district that is 99% nonwhite.

And so, in the face of those statistics, we argued that there is a blatant segregatio on the basis of race and income in in the state of new Jersey, and that that violates the state's constitution.

We heard the state come back and say, you know, making some pretty confusing argument about how they think that that the plaintiffs should have shown more to demonstrate segregatio and that what the evidence was and what the data showed about segregation wasn't enough for this appellate court to issue a ruling that the state should be hel liable under the Constitution.

And so we hope that the state, the appellate court, will refute tha and say that the evidence here is overwhelming of segregatio that violates the Constitution.

And did you get any sense in the courtroom today?

Sometimes, like with the Supreme Court, for example, you can tell by the questions aske which way justices are leaning.

Did you?

Was it that type of interaction in court today where you got a sense of how the court was interpreting both sides, and how long does it take for this appellate court to get back with the decision?

Yeah.

The cour did have a couple of questions.

Around what whether this was in the right procedural posture, if you will, for this appellate cour to decide the case or whether, it was grappling with whethe the trial court wasn't done yet.

Maybe it should send the case back to the trial court to gather more evidence about segregation or not, or whether it had enough to to rule based on what was shown in the trial court that the state had violated the Constitution.

Of course we.

And there was also some discussion about what the actual standard of what the level or standard definition of segregation was to determine which school districts were violating were unconstitutionally segregated or not.

You know, those are our good questions.

But we we hope to show that.

And we we argued that we did show that that that by whatever definition of segregation there is, that New Jersey's public school system is is beyond what has been shown in numerous other courts and by the new Jerse Supreme Court over many decades of grappling with even lower conditions of segregation, and that the current state today is far worse than what other courts have decided in the past, is unconstitutional and unlawful.

And so we're hopin that the court will see through some of the subterfuge about, oh, no, we need to know more, because the data and the evidence shows a clear pattern, that new Jersey is one of the worst in terms of segregation, one of the most segregated school system of any state across the nation.

And I might add, new Jersey is the only state that has a constitutional provision that specifically prohibits segregation in public schools, and that does not exist elsewhere in the country.

And those are two really important points.

I'm so glad that to that, that that you said that because so much of what you hear about Jersey grade public schools, great public schools but then there's this underbelly there also of them also being some of the most segregated in the country.

So I understand where things legally are now.

But I do want folks to also understand the back story here that eight years ago, when all this happened, basically it was saying, you know, to the court there's some unconstitutionality going on here, like violating our own state constitution because some of these segregation issues, the lower court came back.

And I think it's important to note, they made a point to say, yes, there are racial imbalances in this state.

And yes the state has not done enough.

So they admitted there was a problem, which is important to note.

The core issue seemed to be whether the entire system, the entire state system of public schools in Jerse is therefore unconstitutional.

The lower court said no to that, which is how we got to the appeals stage in all of this.

And they also make the point.

Well, just because there are some districts in our state that are badly segregated, doesn't mean the whole system should be thrown ou and everything should be redone.

Is that a fair summation?

Just so folks at home who don't get into the weeds of legalities understand kind of th the concepts driving the case.

First of all, we did show plenty of districts, dozens of districts and their surrounding communities that were so segregated that it did show a statewide problem.

There hasn't really been a civil rights case where you had to show in every single district and every single county of a state that that the problem existed, such such that before a court could rule tha there was a statewide problem.

And the other thing that we brought up toda and the friends of the quarter, amicus lawyers argued on behalf of the plaintiffs, was that really this is a statewide problem i that it's a systemic issue here that only the stat has the power to rectify, right?

Right.

And again, the core issue here is kids going to school closest to where they live which is how most of us grew up.

And it makes sense.

But it's led to these these issues on the ground.

One last thing before we let you go.

Perhaps most importantly, if your case succeeds, let's say the the appellate court goes your way.

Or whenever this ends, it goes your way.

Are we talking about potentially a case that could redraw and rethin the entire public school system in this state?

And logistically, what in the world does that look like?

Yeah, I mean, practically this will not affec the majority of school districts in new Jersey because there are hundreds of of relatively integrated school districts in new Jersey.

We do.

We have identified several doze that are extremely segregated.

So those districts and the surrounding districts are ones that there would need to be some kind of remedy, and that that might look like how that might shape out would be the subject of o really intense and very careful policy discussions, fiscal discussions and just you know, research about what is the right wa to integrate school communities.

Well, legally, I know there are miles left to go, but today was an important day, and we appreciate you giving us some time in the middle of all of that.

Robert Kim, executive director of the Education Law Cente and attorney for the plaintiffs in this lon and profoundly important case.

Mr.

Kim thanks for giving us some time.

And please come back as all of this continues to progress.

Thank you.

Happy to.

And also want to pass along that our NJPW spotlight team, they have done extensive reporting on New Jersey's segregated schools issue, including a special repor that details the whole history of this fight.

NJ spotlight reporter Kat Correia she was in the hearing today as well.

She's written extensively about the issue, too.

So to learn more, just head to NJ Spotlight news.org and NJ pbs.org as well.

One of the most prominent and long vacant properties on the Atlantic City Boardwalk has a new owner, powerful South Jerse political boss George Norcross.

His famil and a group of unnamed investors have purchased the roughly ten acre site on the former Trump Plaza site.

The first casino Donald Trump in fact, opened there in a sea well before his days in the white House.

The casino closed back in 2014 and was imploded seven years later.

Partially, tax records show the property sold for about 5 million bucks.

Norcross calls it one of the best development sites in the area, but so far he has not said exactly what he plans to build or wh all of his partners are, either.

Both community members and experts are now tempted to speculat about exactly what comes next.

I hope they do something with it.

I mean, it's it's sad just walking down the boardwalk and everything's closed.

I'd like to see a luxury hotel.

You may see a combo of condos and hotel.

It's very exciting for individuals in Atlantic City.

And the potential.

I would be speculating if I said I knew what George Norcros his plans were for the site, but I could see multiple things working at the location.

Joining us now to talk about thi big economic news, Marty Small, the mayor himself of Atlantic City.

Mr.

mayor, thanks for being with us.

How are you doing?

Yes.

I'm blessed.

Thank you for having me.

No.

Good evening.

To the to your audience.

And it's a great day here in the city of Atlantic City.

We are a static at the news that, George Norcross, his family and the best that have purchased the Trump Plaza site.

Back when I made the decision to employ Trump Plaza, we were concerned about the health, welfare, and safet of all residents and visitors.

Which, as mayor, Arts responsible for, you know, we had chucks of concrete.

Sheet metal.

You know, flying from the top floor that could have caused mass fatalities.

So it was important to get that building down.

And I said at the time tha it will open up an opportunity for a fascinating development opportunity, because that is the best location in the city is Center City Oceanfront.

I'm excited that someone like George Norcross of his business acumen, his relationships, coming here to the great city of Atlantic City.

So you know what that means.

There are people on the outside that was probably looking at Atlantic City that are now going to dive in because they're going to say, well, look, if George Norcross is investing his money in the great city of Atlantic City, I need to take a look at it as well.

No, he he is a major player in this state with a lot of connections a lot of money, a lot of power.

And, and he's investing big time in your city.

So that has to be good news.

Now he has been tight lipped about exactly what he plans to do there.

I'm wondering do you know his plan and just choosing to let him say it first?

Or are you in the dark like the rest of us?

Well, I kne about the cell for a long time, and it wasn't my announcement to me.

This all started gaining stea when I period live on Netflix, on The Breakfast Club, and an interview and DJ envy asked me the question about, Trump Plaza.

And I just said tha one of the most powerful people in the state of new Jersey.

Him and his partners and family have purchased it, and I didn't name names.

So he came out yesterday with the announcement of I knew for a very long time, but I wasn't, you know going to make the announcement.

And I kind of know maybe some of the things that he wants to do.

But that's the George Norcross family.

And the best question.

They made the investment.

We going to allow them to make the announcement?

You know, on their terms, but I'm just excited.

I always say that investor confidence at the all time high here in the great city of Atlantic City, we got the who's who of development that was already developing in Atlantic City.

And now you add, a mega star like George Norcross.

It sends a powerful message that, not only is Atlantic City back, Electric City is abou to be back and better than ever.

And I tell everyone if you are on the Atlantic City fence and straddling it, you better get in now, because three years from now you won't recognize the place.

Let me ask you this, though, as as mayor and you know your turf well, separate, perhaps.

From what?

Whatever Mr.

Norcross is going to do.

What does a sea need right now?

What kind of development would you like to see?

Whether it's the northwest project or something else?

And it's mayor of the great city of Atlantic City.

I want it all.

Residential you know, high end marketplace.

We can't forget about affordable because our housing stock is old.

But, what you se now is a true renaissance with a lot of people are best in their money for blacks in to mark Collegio Pat for Sino Keith Groff.

You know, George Norcross, the Kushner's, K Hovnanian, and more.

Everybody is here.

And I had to sign up.

Everybody is here and is bullish on the city.

I remember as I was coming in as mayor, people said that since our good friend CR is out of the real estate game, that no one is going to invest their private money in the great city of Atlantic City.

I like to say the couple's a liar.

As you see, this is all private investment by individuals.

Again, like Mr.

Norcross, they don't need to spend their money in Atlantic City.

But they're betting on the city, and it shows that investor confidence is high.

And I look forward to the ship with Mr.

Norcross.

Governor Cheryl and our county exec finished Levinson and more to continue to tak the great city of Atlantic City to even greater heights.

And if you don't mind, just one final question.

And this may just be a reporter being messy, but I'm going to pose the question anyway, to me is a just an interesting little nugget in all of this that one of the most powerful and one of the wealthiest Democrats in New Jersey is buying, of all places the former site of Trump Plaza.

Obviously, our current Republican president.

Is there any political undercurrent to this at all, or at least a sense of irony?

No, no, listen.

No question is messy with me.

I'm gonna answer it.

You know, people can look at it that way.

I can tell you this.

When I tore a truck plaza down, I had a lot of Republicans on social media and in the comments and the spher saying that this was politics.

It wasn't politics.

I happen to know Donald Trump.

I was the second ward councilman in the great city of Atlantic City for 16 year before I became mayor, and Trump Taj Mahal and Trump Castle was the nickname.

Trump Marina was in my district.

So I personally know Donald Trump before he became president.

There's no need to be, the business record here i the great city of Atlantic City.

But people are always going to make it political again.

George Norcross is very wealthy.

He could have taken his money anywhere, but he decided to invest in Atlantic City and invest in that property.

And I'm just glad that all of this is happening on watch.

All right.

And once we learn more, Mr.

Mayor, we invite you to come back.

And once we can get into detail about what that beautiful stretch of land is going to become.

But for now, we appreciate your tim and your passion for your city.

Lanark City Mayor Marty Small.

Mr.

mayor thank you for some time today.

Time now for the roundabout.

Our quick look at headlines from all across the state, and we start with an update on a story that we have been following this week.

A retired NYPD detective is now in custody following the shooting death of a man on the George Washington Bridge.

Police say 62 year old Victor Romero is now facing murder charges.

He's accused of shooting and killing Karen Irvine in a road rage incident Tuesday night.

Irvine was a husban and father who had worked at Con Ed for over 20 years.

According to a statement from the utility, his family has now started a GoFundMe page that has raised more than $160,000.

Schools in th Garden State are trying to find alternative ways to compl with the state's cell phone ban in schools, but one method is now gaining some pushback from students and parents.

A new app called doormen i designed to limit distractions by locking students out of certain apps and websites during the school day.

Well, several schools in the state are now mandating that app for students who choose to keep their phone during the day.

But some parents say forcing them to do so is invasive and also a breach of privacy.

A petition created by parents is now calling on the state's Department of Ed to establish les intrusive enforcement methods, and quite an unusual legal matchup is underway in one Bergen County town.

Tonight, the Palisades Park Board of Education is taking its own borough to court over $1 million in unpaid tax money.

The school board says the town is illegally withholding the cash after repeate failed attempts to turn it over.

According to reporting from nj.com, since the lawsuit was filed earlier this month, the borough has started repaying the amount, but the board say it is still short, about $86,000 and a little bit of a Halloween nightmare to talk about tonight.

A dentist in Clifton is now pulling the plug on his iconic 25 year Halloween display after getting hit with fines from the city.

In a post on social media, Doctor Wanganui says he is tearing down the iconic attraction after receiving a ticket and public safety fines over cornstalks place along the sidewalk of his home.

He claim those stocks have been up before and are actually there to keep kids from running into the street.

The township, though, essentially argues the stocks put public safety at risk.

The battle over the attraction now heads to court.

Ganduje says he will be taking the display down over the next few days.

And that is your roundabout on this Thursday night.

For many new Jerse families, childcare is no longer just an expense.

It is a monthly bill tha can rival the cost of housing.

Full time care for an infan can cost around $20,000 a year.

Add in groceries, utilities, rent or mortgage.

And some parents are being forced to make very tough decisions about whether they can afford to keep working today.

Parents and child care workers and advocates all took that fight to the state House, calling on Governor Sherril and state lawmakers to make care more affordabl and to help providers stay open.

And PBS News State House in central Jersey contributor Ayesha McKenzie was at the rally and is joining us now.

Ayesha, thanks so much for reporting on this.

So important to so many families.

So let's start with the bottom line.

What are these families, these child care providers asking the state to do.

What do they need?

Sure.

So Rob simply put they say child care should not be a luxury that only some new Jersey families can afford.

This needs to open up to all new Jersey families.

You talk about that $20,000 a year price point.

That's what they're talking about.

That needs to be lower, or people need to get more assistance to get help.

That's why they have this rally out here organized by Start Strong NJ with parents, educators, caregivers are all talking about the half d cost when it comes to puttin your kids into full time care.

So I do want to bring in Sharon Levine.

She is the campaign director for Start Strong NJ, talking about what they are asking from state legislatures to make this easier for families across the state as we talk about the affordability crisis.

So, Sharon, please come in here and talk about what Start Strong NJ is doing especially with the Child Care Assistance Program and what yo want the state to do with that.

Absolutely.

So thank you so much for child care is a basic necessity and for too many families it is unaffordable.

The child Care Assistance Program helps families afford care, but unfortunatel the eligibility is really low.

2 to 2 parents earning minimum wage in new Jersey earn to much to qualify for th Child Care Assistance Program.

So we're asking the state for increased investment and expanded eligibility to help more families qualify for this critical support.

And looking at some of the numbers, I think it's 200% of the federal poverty line that they have to make.

So that's a family of four can only make $66,000 or less, which is not very much, but a lot of people do make just above that.

So you want to expand that so more families can get that help.

Yes.

We are trying to help more Alice families, the asset limited income constrained employed which are family which unfortunately, as you mentioned, many families are just above that 66,000, but they're still struggling to make ends meet, right?

These are not high income earners.

And so what can we as a state do to to better support the and make child care affordable?

When child care is affordable, it enables people to work and our businesses to grow in our economy, to thrive.

And so this is a critical investment.

The state really shouldn't look at this as an expense.

They should look at it as an investment in families.

And what's an important piece of this puzzle?

Or the actual child care workers who really do not make that much?

I know a part of it is asking to expand C ca so that they can also get help as they watch other people's kids get help with their own.

But why is it important for them to have their wages raised as well?

Yes.

So our early childhood educators, many of them are also Alice.

They're low wage income earners.

Unfortunately, they are caring and supporting our infants and toddlers at a time in their life when their brains are growing the fastes and they are absorbing so much.

If we don't pay our workers a professional wage and recognize the importance of what they do, we end up having a hard time attracting workers to want to stay in early childhood education.

And they are critical, right?

We are leaving our most precious commodity, our children, at childcare, and we want to make sure that we're also taking care of the workforce.

Who takes care of our kids.

All right.

That is very important.

And thank you so muc for your time, I appreciate it.

So, Rob, as you see there, pushing not only to expand C cap so that people could have more eligibility for child care and assistance but also to get those childcare workers paid as well.

And that statue just mentioned is so telling two adults making minimum wage and they're overqualified for the progra that that tells the whole story.

Right.

Right there.

Clearly some adjustments sound like they are.

They're needed.

So listen, there was the rally today.

But also lawmakers are going to have a chance to directly hear these concerns as well.

How's that going to work.

Yeah.

So they're going to be able to talk with lawmaker not just today but throughout, you know, the year about why it's so important to have this child care assistance.

They're going to talk about what she just mentioned C cap expanding that I believe they want to put over $35 million in that annually to get help to expand i to other families in new Jersey.

Also talking about the wage for child care workers, we understand the importance of people getting a livable wage so that they can contribute to the economy.

So they're going to be talking about lawmakers.

I'm going to be talking with lawmakers about what they plan to do when it comes to any child care bills, when it comes to funding and assistance here in the state of new Jersey.

Rob.

Yeah, the child car bills are are real, are so real, especially in our area.

S it's a really important story.

Appreciate you being there.

Now.

State House and central Jersey contributor Ayesha McKenzie there for us in Trenton Ayesha, thanks so much.

That' going to do it for us tonight.

Thank you so muc for joining us here on PBS news.

Have a good night.

Jersey.