Now that New Jersey teachers have finally learned the truth, many are not happy with the fact that $40 million* of their hard-earned, regular dues are funding NJEA President Sean Spiller’s vanity run for governor.  We see many comments from unhappy teachers on Sunlight’s Facebook feeds but none have gone public with their anger for fear of retaliation by the NJEA (see below). Until now.  A courageous Roselle teacher and NJEA member, Dr. Marie Dupont, wrote and open letter addressed to Spiller that was published in NJToday.news under the headline: “Roselle educator challenges New Jersey teacher union President Sean Spiller.”  The article was mysteriously taken down without explanation, but Sunlight kept a hard copy.  Perhaps someone can ask NJToday.news why it was taken down.

In the open letter, Dr. Dupont accused the NJEA of “prioritizing Spiller’s political ambitions over the needs of rank-and-file members.” In particular, Dr. Dupont noted that the NJEA was using $35 million* of union dues for Spiller’s gubernatorial campaign while local Roselle educators have been working without a contract for the whole 2024-25 school year.

Dr. Dupont then lists six collective bargaining demands for President Spiller and the NJEA.  All six are concerned with the pay and work conditions of Roselle teachers. In other words, they are the real concerns of real teachers that affect the quality of their day-to-day lives and jobs.  As the article puts it, Dr. Dupont asks whether the NJEA’s spending $35 million* of dues on Spiller’s run “aligns with its obligation to prioritize members’ immediate needs.”  That’s a great question that should be answered by Spiller and NJEA leadership.

The article quotes another Roselle teacher about the disconnect between NJEA leadership and rank-and-file teachers: “We pay dues expecting representation, not political endorsements.” Tellingly, the teacher requested anonymity “due to fear of retaliation” [see above].  The article asks if NJEA leadership should divert resources to Spiller’s personal political ambitions while local contracts like Roselle’s remain unresolved for an entire school year.  Another great question that should be answered.

Dr. Dupont poignantly asks: “What have you done for us lately, Mr. Spiller? When teachers are working under expired contracts, without raises adjusted to the cost of living, how can we in good conscience reward silence with votes?”

We amplify Dr. Dupont’s questions and ask of Spiller: Will you finally come clean with New Jersey teachers and explain to them how and why you are using $40 million* of their highest-in-the-nation dues to fund your vanity run for governor? Will you explain why NJEA leadership is prioritizing your personal political ambitions over the day-to-day needs of rank-and-file teachers?

What say you, President Spiller?  Your members are asking.

*The number is actually $40 million: $35 million for NJEA-run Super PAC Working New Jersey plus $5 million spent on Spiller’s Super PAC Protecting Our Democracy from 2022-2024. Dr. Dupont is referring to the $35 million for Working New Jersey.