Early this week the New York Times surveyed New Jersey’s gubernatorial candidates, six Democrats and three Republicans, on where they stand on a variety of issues including affordability, housing, NJ Transit, tax policy, climate and abortion. Here is what they said about schools.

Question: Student absenteeism is high, and teacher shortages are widespread. Learning gaps, worsened by the Covid-19 pandemic, have not improved in many communities. What will you do to improve public education?

Newark Mayor Ras Baraka (D): To improve public education, we must unify school districts to reduce administrative costs and distribute resources more fairly. We’ll support school integration to promote diversity and invest in community schools that offer wraparound services like mental health care, after-school programs, and family support.

Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop (D): First, we’ll expand universal pre-K into suburban areas. Second, we’ll change how Trenton compensates day care providers to improve parent options. Third, we will adjust the school funding formula to lower property costs around special education that should be paid for by Trenton and not local property taxes. Fourth, we will change how Trenton funds higher education in order to create more accountability toward job-placement outcomes. Finally, we need more pathways for job training in trades outside of college.

U.S. Representative Josh Gottheimer (D): The research is clear: If we aren’t making investments in our children’s education by kindergarten, it’s hard to ever catch up. New Jersey is already working to adopt universal pre-K, and as governor, I’ll fully fund and expand early childhood education, so that every child can go to pre-K and get the education they deserve. I also will fully fund full-day kindergarten for every child and implement a wide range of actions to make high-quality child care more affordable for every Jersey family.

U.S. Representative Mikie Sherrill (D): I have four kids and have seen firsthand the challenges our children are facing following the pandemic. Social media has contributed to an epidemic of loneliness harming our kids’ mental health. As governor, I will surge the number of school counselors and mental health services to support our students. I’ll also invest in evidence-based programs and in-person activities in schools to help our kids get back on track and recover from the learning loss we saw during the pandemic.

NJEA President Sean Spiller (D): I have a career of teaching and advocating for our students and schools. We will fund our public schools, and that includes needed revisions to the school-funding formula as it approaches 20 years of use. We will invest in proven strategies of community schools to increase attendance, address learning gaps and foster parental engagement. Recruitment and retention for educators will remain a priority for years to come as we have a crisis in both, but also solutions, which include improving culture and climate in our schools.

Former State Senate President Steve Sweeney (D): I helped pass New Jersey’s school funding formula, providing previously underfunded districts with increases of up to 500 percent. We should re-evaluate the school funding formula to improve educational outcomes further, and we’ll increase pay for teachers and work directly with educators and experts to address student absenteeism. I also support Governor Murphy’s push to ban use of cellphones in classrooms to reduce disruptions.

State Senator Jon Bramnick (R): State government must leave successful schools alone while focusing on improving performance in failing districts. Schools should be focused on core subjects instead of unending mandates from Trenton. The addition of these requirements has led to slumping student performance and teachers leaving the profession or not entering the field at all.

Former State Assemblyman Jack Ciattarelli (R): I will change the school funding formula and have the state take over the cost of special education. I will expand pre-K by utilizing existing private day care providers and expand charter schools, loosening restrictions on school choice.I will promote partnerships between county colleges, vocational schools and local employers. I will implement a Parents’ Bill of Rights that requires K-12 curriculum sources to be posted online and ensures content is age-appropriate for all children.

Radio Host Bill Spadea (R): It’s time for “school choice” in New Jersey. Let’s give parents and students a choice in their education while saving taxpayer dollars in the process.