The New Jersey Board of Education decided on March 23 to move the Jersey City Arts High School Program (JCAHSP) from its current location at New Jersey City University to Snyder High School, starting in the fall. The decision has caused concern among the UACHS students who participate in the program, also known as the Visual Performing Arts program (VPA).
According to State District Superintendent Charles T. Epps, the program is being moved because it might not have been able to afford the lease for its current space in Grossnickle Hall at NJCU, which could have possibly resulted in the program being shut down.
The decision has caused conflict and controversy among the students that attend VPA.
“They’re moving it to Snyder to slowly get rid of the program, they’re cutting supplies and they already can’t find much space for the performing arts department in Snyder,” sophomore Destiny Brown said.
Even though there is conflict, some students believe it’s a great opportunity.
“I think it’s a good idea for it to move, we can collaborate with the Snyder singing program and meet new people,” sophomore Bria Jackson said.
A few JCAHSP students made a Facebook group page dedicated to the program and expressing their opinions on the topic.
“I’ve already been told that making this group was a waste of time, but I am motivated to do something about this situation,” Alex Gurvich, a student of the program said. “If it means we have to protest, then that’s what I will do, that’s how much the program means to me.”
This change is a result of the education budget cuts that schools across the state are facing, but some question how those cuts are being made.
“Why [not] cut something else, why play with education, education is first and these programs keep the talented children of Jersey City busy with what they love the most, art,” visual arts teacher Carolyn Frazier said. “I know there are a lot of people out there that do not care about this program, but it is so important to those gifted and talented kids of the city.”
