Gov. Jon Corzine of New Jersey has vowed to veto a legislative provision that would eliminate a requirement that K-12 schools hold commemorative ceremonies or instruction the day before certain holidays, such as Veterans Day and Memorial Day.
“Particularly when our men and women are putting their lives in harm’s way, … making sure our kids understand the sacrifices people have made through Veterans Day and Memorial Day ought to be going on in schools,” he said on a radio talk show last week.
The measure would not prohibit districts and schools from celebrating the holidays or giving students the day off. It is part of a larger bill, which passed both chambers of the legislature unanimously, intended to curb wasteful spending by schools. (“Historic Snubbing or Streamlining?,” Jan. 24, 2007.)
Veterans’ groups have been pressuring Gov. Corzine to veto the bill, arguing that schools would cease to commemorate the days without the state mandate.
Should he issue a conditional veto, the bill would be sent back to the legislature for amendment. Brendan Gilfillan, a spokesman for the governor, confirmed late last week that the Democrat planned to issue the veto by early this week.