>>> FUNDING FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS PROVIDED BY MAKING PUBLIC SCHOOLS GREAT FOR EVERY CHILD.

RWJ BARNABAS HEALTH.

LET'S BE HEALTHY TOGETHER.

AND HORSE STEAD, CREATED TO THE COMMISSION OF CLEAN ENERGY FUTURE FOR NEW JERSEY.

>>> FROM NJ PBS, THIS IS NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>> THANKS FOR JOINING US WITH BRIANA VANNOZZI.

GOVERNOR MURPHY IS OFFICIATING MARCH 9 EACH YEAR AS COVID-19 HEROES DAY.

SIGNING LEGISLATION TO RECOGNIZE THE BRAVE EFFORTS OF THOSE ON THE FRONT LINES FROM MEDICAL STAFF TO GROCERY STORE WORKERS ALL WHO HAVE HELPED US GET TO WHERE WE ARE.

AND NOW WITH VACCINES BECOMING MORE WIDELY AVAILABLE, A LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL.

MORE THAN 2.5 MILLION DOSES ADMINISTERED STATEWIDE AND MORE THAN 870,000 HAVE RECEIVED EITHER A SECOND DOSE OR J&J'S ONE AND DONE VACCINE.

THOSE NUMBERS ARE EXPECTED TO JUMP SIGNIFICANTLY WITH MORE SUPPLY IN THE PIPELINE.

AND PHARMACIES LIKE CVS EXPANDING THEIR ROLLOUT.

BUT NOW TEACHERS HAVE BEEN ADDED TO THE ELIGIBILITY LIST, SOME LOCAL LEADERS SAY THE STATE'S APPROACH ISN'T WORKING.

AS EACH CITY FACES THEIR OWN UNIQUE NEEDS AND OBSTACLES.

RAVEN SANTANA REPORTS.

>> I TRAVELED TO THE COUNTY SITE AND WE WAITED AN HOUR FOR THE SECOND SHOT BECAUSE SO MANY PEOPLE WERE TRYING TO GET IT.

>> Reporter: EDWIN GARCIA MAY LOOK HEALTHY, BUT HE HAS AN UNDERLYING HEALTH CONDITION THAT PUTS HIM AT HIGH RISK IF HE CONTRACTS COVID.

GARCIA IS ALSO A HIGH SCHOOL COMPUTER TEACHER.

WHILE HE WAS LUCKY ENOUGH TO RECEIVE THE VACCINE, MAKING AN APPOINTMENT WAS ANYTHING, BUT EASY.

>> IT IS MORE CONDUCIVE IF THEY GIVE IT SPECIFICALLY FOR TEACHERS INSTEAD OF TAKING FROM THE LOT THAT IS ALLOCATED FOR THE LOCAL COMMUNITY.

>> Reporter: IN AN EFFORT TO PREVENT ROADBLOCKS FOR THOSE WHO WORK IN SCHOOLS, GOVERNOR MURPHY ANNOUNCED TEACHERS, SUPPORT STAFF, PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION WORKERS WILL BE ELIGIBLE FOR THE COVID-19 VACCINE ON MARCH 15.

>> WORKING ACROSS THE BOARD AT ALL LEVELS WE WILL HAVE IN PLACE THE VACCINATION PROGRAM THAT WORKS BEST FOR OUR EDUCATORS FROM OURS THAT DON'T EAT INTO THE SCHOOL DAY TO DEDICATED LANES AT MEGA SITES LIKE HERE AT ROWAN COLLEGE OF SOUTH JERSEY TO GET MORE OF THEM IN AND OUT.

>> Reporter: TO DATE MORE THAN 2.5 MILLION VACCINE DOSES HAVE BEEN ADMINISTERED IN JERSEY.

IN AN EFFORT TO EXPAND DISTRIBUTION, CVS WOULD ADD 100 MORE NEW JERSEY LOCATIONS WHERE RESIDENTS AND POTENTIALLY EDUCATORS CAN SIGN UP FOR A COVID VACCINE APPOINTMENT.

>> WHEN I THINK MORE VACCINE IS ALWAYS HELPFUL.

I THINK IN THE URBAN AREAS IT IS STILL THE POPULATION IS GREATER, THERE IS LESS PARKING AT ANY CVS THAT MAY BE THERE, YOU KNOW, SO YOU HAVE THE REGULAR SHOPPERS PLUS THE PEOPLE THAT ARE GOING FOR THE VACCINE.

>> Reporter: PRESIDENT OF THE PASAIC SAYS BEING MADE A PRIORITY IS IMPORTANT TO TEACHERS ESPECIALLY WHEN IT REGARDS REOPENING SCHOOLS.

SUSAN, HOW CRITICAL IS IT TEACHERS HAVE EASY ACCESS TO VACCINATIONS?

>> I APPRECIATE THAT QUESTION BECAUSE I'M NOT SURE THAT PEOPLE REALIZE HOW MUCH TIME WE INTERACT WITH STUDENTS.

IT IS NOT A BRIEF INTERACTION.

EVEN AT THE HIGH SCHOOL LEVEL YOU WILL BE IN A ROOM WITH YOUR TEACHER FOR 40 TO 50 MINUTES.

THESE ARE, YOU KNOW, THESE ARE SUSTAINS, INTERACTIONS, WHILE THERE IS SOCIAL DISTANCING AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE.

MANY OF THESE ROOMS DO NOT HAVE THE VENTILATION THAT IS NECESSARY TO PREVENT THE SPREAD OF COVID-19.

>> WE HAVE ONE CVS.

AGAIN, I DON'T THINK THEY WILL BE ABLE TO HANDLE IT.

THEY'RE NOT FORCED TO TAKE IT, BUT IF YOU WANT IT, YOU HAVE ACCESS TO IT.

>> Reporter: THE MAYOR OF THE CITY OF PASAIC SAYS UNFORTUNATELY THE CVS EXPANSION ISN'T A ONE-SIZE FITS ALL SOLUTION AS TOWNS HAVE FEW CVS LOCATIONS.

WITH OVER A THOUSAND TEACHERS MORE THAN 15,000 STUDENTS, LAURA SAYS THERE WAS NO WAY A CVS COULD PRIORITIZE EDUCATORS IN THE COMMUNITY.

THAT'S WHY THE MAYOR LAUNCHED A DIRECT PHONE LINE EQUIPPED WITH STAFF TO HELP TEACHERS GET REGISTERED.

>> WE'RE GETTING BOMBARDED WITH PHONE CALLS AND QUESTIONS.

DO I FALL INTO THIS CATEGORY?

I'M A SUBSTITUTE TEACHER.

DO I FALL?

I'M A PARA PROFESSIONAL.

IS THIS ONLY FOR TEACHERS THAT ARE GOING TO BE IN THE CLASSROOM?

WHAT IF I'M GOING VIRTUALLY NOW?

ARE WE GOING TO HAVE TO WAIT FOR SCHOOL TO OPEN?

WE ANSWER THE QUESTIONS, OF COURSE, AND IN THE PROCESS WE SAY LET US SCHEDULE YOU.

THEN WE SCHEDULE YOU.

>> Reporter: LAURA SAYS WHILE THE PROCESS TO OPEN UP SITES DEDICATED FOR TEACHERS CAN BE CHALLENGING, IT IS ALSO NECESSARY.

>> WE'RE NOT VACCINATING TEACHERS SIMPLY BECAUSE WE WANT TO OPEN SCHOOLS, WE ARE VACCINATING TEACHERS BECAUSE THEY DESERVE TO BE VACCINATED.

THEY DESERVE TO FEEL LIKE OUR HEALTHCARE'S OBVIOUS APPROACH HAS THEM IN MIND.

THEY ARE EDUCATORS THAT DIDN'T BECOME ESSENTIAL WHEN THE DATE WAS GIVEN TO RECEIVE VACCINES.

THEY HAVE BEEN ESSENTIAL ALL ALONG.

>> Reporter: FOR ANGIE SPOTLIGHT NEWS I'M RAVIN SANTANA.

>>> THANKS TO THIS WEEK'S CDC GUIDELINES ON WHAT'S ALLOWED AFTER YOU HAVE BEEN FULLY IMMUNIZED.

WE STILL HAVE A LONG ROAD TO GET THERE.

TODAY STATE LEADERS ARE REPORTING ANOTHER 3,400 POSITIVE TESTS AND 46 MORE CONFIRMED DEATHS.

SO MUCH FOCUS HAS BEEN PUT ON VACCINATIONS, BUT THAT ALONE ISN'T ENOUGH TO BEAT COVID-19.

JERSEY-BASED DRUG MAKER, MERCK, HAS BEEN HARD AT IT TESTING THERAPEUTICS AND MEDICATIONS EVEN AFTER ABANDONING THEIR OWN EFFORTS TO DEVELOP A CORONAVIRUS VACCINE AND JOINING FORCES TO HELP J&J PRODUCE THEIRS.

THE PHARMACEUTICAL COMPANY SAYS IT HAS DEVELOPED A POTENTIAL BREAKTHROUGH DRUG SHOWN TO QUICKLY REDUCE INFECTION.

AS SENIOR CORRESPONDENT BRENDA FLANAGAN REPORTS YOU CAN THINK OF IT LIKE TAMIFLU FOR THE CORONAVIRUS.

>>> WITH POWERFUL COVID VACCINATIONS RIGHTFULLY CLAIMING THE SPOTLIGHT AND FOLKS LINING UP TO GET THEIR SHOTS, FOCUS SHIFTED AWAY FROM TREATMENTS LIKE REMDESIVIR AND MONOCLONAL ANTIBODIES THAT JUST MONTHS AGO HELPED PATIENTS INCLUDING DONALD TRUMP AND CHRIS CHRISTIE BEAT THE VIRUS.

BUT COVID IS STILL INFECTING THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE EVERY DAY.

DR. ANTHONY FAUCI JUST POINTED TO NEW DRUG THERAPIES UNDER DEVELOPMENT BY COMPANIES LIKE MERCK.

>> WHICH ARE GOING TO BE USED TO PREVENT PEOPLE FROM PROGRESSING IN THEIR DISEASE NAMELY KEEPING THEM OUT OF THE NEED FOR HOSPITALIZATIONS.

THAT IS THE DIRECTION THAT WE WILL BE GOING OVER THE NEXT WEEKS TO MONTHS TO YEARS.

>> WHEN SOMEBODY GETS COVID, WHAT THEY DON'T KNOW ARE THEY GOING TO HAVE A MILD CASE LIKE MOST PEOPLE?

OR ARE THEY GOING TO BE REALLY UNLUCKY AND HAVE A VERY SEVERE CASE?

SO IF WE CAN LOWER THAT RISK WE'RE MUCH BETTER OFF.

>> Reporter: A DRUG FROM MERCK AND RIDGEBACK BIOTHERAPEUTICS AIMS TO DO PRECISELY THAT.

IT'S A PILL.

IN PHASE TWO CLINICAL TRIALS PEOPLE WITH SYMPTOMS WHO RECENTLY TESTED POSITIVE FOR COVID TOOK THE DRUG TWICE A DAY FOR FIVE DAYS.

THEN GOT THEIR NOSES SWABBED AND TESTED.

RESULTS?

NOBODY WHO TOOK THE MEDICINE SHOWED ANY VIRUS, BUT INFECTIOUS VIRUS DID POP UP IN ALMOST A QUARTER OF THE CONTROL GROUP WHO GOT PLACEBOS ACCORDING TO RESEARCHERS AT MERCK.

THESE PRELIMINARY RESULTS SUGGEST WHILE IT MAY BE THE FIRST COVID THERAPY THAT WORKS BEFORE PEOPLE GET SEVERELY ILL. >> IF YOU'VE GOT A DRUG YOU CAN GIVE TO SOMEBODY IMMEDIATELY, RIGHT AT THE START OF THEIR INFECTION, THEN TAKING THE VIRAL LOAD DOWN BEFORE THE VIRUS DOES DAMAGE, BEFORE THE VIRUS ITSELF CAN TURN ON ALL OF THE INFLAMMATORY MECHANISMS IN THE BODY THAT DO SO MUCH DAMAGE IS REALLY A GREAT THING.

I MEAN THAT IS REALLY A BENEFIT FOR US.

>> Reporter: WORKS BY BLOCK THE VOICE FROM MAKING COPIES OF ITSELF ONCE IT INVADES A CELL.

RATHER LIKE TAMIFLU WORKS FOR PATIENTS WITH INFLUENZA.

FEWER VIRUSES IN YOUR BODY MEANS YOU DON'T GET AS SICK, BUT ALSO YOU'RE POTENTIALLY NOT AS INFECTIOUS.

>> THE SPREAD OF THE VIRUS FROM PERSON TO PERSON IS TOTALLY BASED ON HOW MUCH VIRUS A PERSON IS SHEDDING.

SO IF THEY SHED TEN TIMES LESS, 100 TIMES LESS, THAT WILL MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE IN TRANSMISSION.

>> AND THE RATE OF TRANSMISSION IS BACK UP OVER ONE IN NEW JERSEY.

MEANING EVERY PERSON SICK WITH COVID-19 WILL SPREAD THE VIRUS ON AVERAGE TO ONE OTHER PERSON.

AND COVID CASES HERE HAVE TRENDED UP A BIT BACK OVER 3,400 TODAY.

MORE INFECTIOUS COVID VARIANTS COULD BE DRIVING THAT.

HOSPITALIZATIONS TICKED UP TODAY TOO.

IF IT MAKES IT THROUGH CLINICAL TRIALS.

>> IT COULD BE A DRUG WE COULD USE VERY EARLY IN ILLNESS THAT WOULD TAKE BOTH DISEASE ITSELF AND INFECTIONS OUT OF THE PICTURE QUICKLY AND THAT WOULD BE USEFUL.

>> ALL THESE INFECTIONS ARE A RACE BETWEEN THE CAPACITY OF THE VIRUS TO REPRODUCE AND THE IMMUNE SYSTEM TO TAKE CARE OF IT.

SO IF YOU COULD SLOW DOWN THE VIRUS AND MOST PEOPLE THE IMMUNE SYSTEM WILL CATCH UP.

>> Reporter: THE DRUG CAUSED NO DIRECT SERIOUS SIDE EFFECTS.

MERCK'S CHIEF MEDICAL OFFICER SAYS WE CONTINUE TO MAKE PROGRESS IN OUR PHASE 2 AND 3 CLINICAL PROGRAMS, EVALUATING IN BOTH OUTPATIENT AND HOSPITAL SETTINGS.

BUT THE TRIALS STILL HAVE MONTHS TO GO BEFORE THE FDA WILL EXAMINE DATA.

I'M BRENDA FLANAGAN NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>> AS BRENDA MENTIONED, THE STATE CONFIRMED MORE THAN 170 POSITIVE COVID VARIANTS SO FAR.

THAT'S JUST WHAT WE KNOW OF.

BECAUSE TESTING FOR NEW EMERGING STRAINS IS STILL A DEVELOPING INDUSTRY.

>>> SCIENTISTS AT RUTGERS UNIVERSITY FIRST DEVELOPED SALIVA-BASED TEST, NOW CREATING A RAPID TEST TO DETECT THE HIGHLY CONTAGIOUS VARIANTS.

SCIENTISTS SAY IT WILL HELP THE WORLD IDENTIFY HOT SPOTS OF TRANSMISSION.

RUTGERS UNIVERSITY CO- RESEARCHER, DR. DAVID ALLEN, IS WITH US NOW FOR THE LATEST.

DR. ALLEN, THESE VARIANTS ARE REALLY A VERY SERIOUS PUBLIC HEALTH THREAT.

WHAT DOES THE TEST DO?

HOW QUICKLY DOES IT DO IT?

>> THE VARIANTS ARE CHARACTERIZED BY THREE DIFFERENT, TWO DIFFERENT MUTATIONS.

ONE VARIANT FROM THE UNITED KINGDOM HAS ONE MUTATION AND THAT IS SHARED BY THE OTHER TWO VARIANTS.

THE OTHER TWO HAVE A SECOND MUTATION.

SO WE ARE ALL ON THIS ONE MUTATION TO BE PICKED UP, FINDING ALL THREE VARIANTS.

SO IT IS VERY RAPID TEST.

AND ESSENTIALLY YOU AMPLIFY THE RNA FROM THE VIRUS AND THERE IS ONE THAT DISCLOSES THE COLOR.

DEPENDING ON WHAT TEMPERATURE, IT TELLS YOU WHERE THE MUTATIONS ARE, SO IT IS VERY FAST.

>> AND THIS DOES IT ALL WITHIN AN HOUR TIME FRAME?

I MEAN TYPICALLY THIS TAKES ABOUT THREE TO FIVE DAYS AS WE UNDERSTAND.

>> THE BASIC PRINCIPLE OF THIS TEST WILL OPERATE LIKE A REGULAR COVID TEST, REGULAR COVID TEST.

BUT INSTEAD OF DOING A SIMPLE TEST THAT WILL DEFINE THE VIRUS IS THERE, SLIGHTLY COMPLICATED VERSIONS TELLING YOU WHETHER THEY ARE THERE OR NOT.

>> AND CAN YOU TELL WHICH MUTATION IT IS?

I MEAN HERE IN NEW JERSEY WE DO HAVE CONFIRMED CASES OF BOTH THE VARIANT THAT WAS FIRST FOUND IN THE U.K. AND IN BRAZIL.

CAN YOU TELL WHICH VARIANT YOU'RE SEEING?

>> SO WE HAVE DEVELOPED THIS TEST OVER THE PAST FEW WEEKS.

RIGHT NOW IT IS JUST ONE OF THE THREE VARIANTS.

THOSE VIRUSES CAN THEN BE SEQUENCED BY THE MORE SLOW TECHNIQUE TO BE SURE WHICH ONE IT IS.

WE ARE RUSHING NOW TO GET A SECOND TEST IN TO TEST FOR THE SECOND MUTATION.

WITH THOSE TWO TESTS, WHICH WOULD BE READY IN ANOTHER WEEK OR SO, WE WILL BE ABLE TO TELL EXACTLY WHICH VARIANT IT IS.

>> WOW.

I MEAN WHAT IS THIS GOING TO MEAN FOR THE COMMUNITY AT LARGE?

>> WELL, WE'VE BEEN FLYING BLIND IN THE UNITED STATES.

ONE HALF OF 1% OF ALL THE VIRUSES, UNLIKE WHAT IS HAPPENING IN EUROPE AND OTHER PARTS OF THE WORLD, SO WE REALLY DON'T KNOW WHAT IS GOING ON IN THIS COUNTRY.

WE NEED TO KNOW WHETHER WE SHOULD BE FOCUSING ON CERTAIN COMMUNITIES FOR PREVENTION AND MORE AGGRESSIVE QUARANTINES.

IF WE START SEEING THE VACCINE FAILURES, IF THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE VIRUS, WE DON'T KNOW ANY OF THESE THINGS YET.

THAT'S WHY WE WORKED SO HARD TO GET THAT RAPID TEST.

>> IS THERE A SENSE THIS COULD POTENTIALLY SAVE LIVES?

WE DO KNOW THESE VARIANTS ARE MORE EASILY TRANSMISSIBLE.

THEY APPEAR TO BE CAUSING MORE SEVERE DISEASE.

AND ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION WE GET COULD SAVE LIVES.

>> I FIND THIS TO ME ONE OF THE BEST PARTS.

THIS IS WHAT THE RESEARCH COMMUNITY IS ABOUT.

THIS TEST IS AVAILABLE TO ANYONE, THE INFORMATION ON HOW TO PERFORM IT.

>> YES, WE MADE A VERY CONSCIENCE DECISION TO NOT LET LICENSING GET IN THE WAY OF GETTING THIS TEST OUT AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE.

>> I JUST WANT TO ASK YOU VERY QUICKLY ABOUT THE EFFICACY, WHAT DID THE TRIALS SHOW?

THIS WAS A CRASH COURSE, BUT WHAT DID IT SHOW AS FAR AS HOW EFFECTIVE IT WAS IN DETECTING?

>> AND SO FAR WE TESTED THIS TEST ON VIRUSES WE HAVE CULTURED, WORKING VERY PERFECTLY.

WHERE SHE TESTED A SMALL SAMPLE, CLINICAL SAMPLES FROM OUR HOSPITAL.

AND WE CONFIRMED THEM BY SEQUENCING AND IT HAS WORKED PERFECTLY EACH TIME.

>> DR. ALLEN, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME.

REALLY GREAT STUFF.

>> MY PLEASURE.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>>> BETWEEN THE FEDERAL STIMULUS PACKAGE AND A NEW STATE SUBSIDY, MILLIONS OF DOLLARS OF RELIEF AIDE COULD BE IN THE PIPELINE FOR STRUGGLING INDUSTRIES.

RHONDA SCHAFFLER HAS THE DETAILS IN TONIGHT'S TOP BUSINESS STORIES.

RHONDA?

>> Reporter: SMALL BUSINESSES IN THE STATE COULD BE GETTING MILLIONS IN ADDITIONAL AID.

THE ASSEMBLY COMMERCE AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE APPROVED A PACKAGE OF BILLS YESTERDAY THAT WOULD PROVIDE A TOTAL OF $100 MILLION FOR RESTAURANTS, SMALL BUSINESSES, DAYCARE CENTERS, AND NON- PROFITS.

THE FUNDING WOULD COME FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT THROUGH ONE OF THE COVID RELIEF PACKAGES.

TOMORROW MARKS THE START OF THE LEGISLATURE'S HEARINGS ON GOVERNOR MURPHY'S PROPOSED BUDGETS FOR THE NEXT FISCAL YEAR.

AHEAD OF THAT ACCOUNTANTS IN THE STATE ARE OFFERING THEIR TWO CENTS.

THE NEW JERSEY SOCIETY OF CPA MEMBERS ABOUT THE SPENDING PLAN.

CEO AND EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR RALPH THOMAS SAYS THEY FOUND BOTH POSITIVES AND NEGATIVES.

>> WE WERE OVERWHELMED THERE WERE NO TAX INCREASES BECAUSE THAT'S ALWAYS BEEN A BIG ISSUE.

BUT I THINK THE OTHER THING WE DIDN'T SEE IN THERE IS THE KIND OF SUPPORT THAT SHOULD BE GOING TOWARDS SMALL BUSINESSES.

>> NEARLY 65% OF THE ACCOUNTANTS SURVEYED THOUGHT THE BUDGET WOULD BE WORSE FOR THE STATE'S ECONOMY OVER THE LONG TERM.

>>> ONE POTENTIAL BUDGET BATTLE COULD CENTER ON THE MURPHY'S ADMINISTRATION PLAN TO USE $20 MILLION FOR THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING TRUST FUND FOR A DOWN PAYMENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAM OFFERED BY THE HOUSING AND MORTGAGE FINANCE AGENCY.

NJ'S SPOTLIGHT COLLEEN O'DAY SAYS ADVOCATES WOULD RATHER SEE THAT MONEY GO TOWARDS BUILDING NEW AFFORDABLE HOUSING IN THE STATE.

>> THERE WAS A RECENT REPORT THAT FOUND NEWARK ALONE NEEDS 16,000 UNITS.

16,000 AFFORDABLE UNITS IN ORDER TO MEET THE NEEDS FOR THAT CITY.

SO CERTAINLY THERE IS A HUGE NEED OUT THERE.

>> FIND OUT SOME OF THE ADVOCATES, OTHER CONCERNS, AND THE ADMINISTRATION'S RESPONSE BY READING COLLEEN'S STORY ON NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> NEW JERSEY CONGRESSMAN SAYS THE IRS SHOULD DELAY THE APRIL 15 TAX FILING DEADLINE AGAIN THIS YEAR.

SEVERAL OTHER CONGRESS MEMBERS AGREE, BUT THE IRS HAS YET TO RESPOND.

>>> HERE IS A CHECK ON WALL STREET'S TRADING TODAY.

I'M RHONDA SCHAFFLER AND THOSE ARE YOUR TOP BUSINESS STORIES.

>>> WELL TONIGHT THE STATE IS BOASTING A NEW RANKING FROM THE TOP PUBLIC EDUCATION SYSTEM AND NUMBER ONE FOR PRESCHOOL ENROLLMENT ACCORDING TO WORLD REPORT.

BUT SOME PARENTS ARE NOT SO SURE AFTER A TENSE PROTEST AND MEETINGS, THE SUPERINTENDENT OF CAMDEN PUBLIC SCHOOLS SAYS THE DISTRICT WILL SHUT THREE SCHOOLS AT THE END OF JUNE.

A PART OF A CONSOLIDATION PLAN TO CLOSE A MAJOR BUDGET GAP.

BUT WHAT DOES IT MEAN FOR THE STUDENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES?

>> WHY ARE YOU TAKING MY RIGHTS AS A PARENT AWAY?

>> Reporter: MARIA MONTERO IS A MOM OF FOUR.

HER THREE OLDER KIDS ATTEND PREPARATORY LAB SCHOOL, ONE OF THREE ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS IN CAMDEN SLATED TO CLOSE NEXT YEAR.

THE DISTRICT BLAMED A $40 MILLION BUDGET GAP, BUT THAT HAS DRAWN OUT MORE FROM THE UNION.

>> THIS HAS NEVER BEEN PROVEN AT ALL.

>> Reporter: THE OTHER TWO SCHOOLS SET TO CLOSE AS PER CAMDEN'S SUPERINTENDENT, MCHOLMES, HARRY C. SHARP AND KRAMER ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS.

>> IT'S NOT A COINCIDENCE SHE CHOSE THESE SCHOOLS.

SHE SAID SOME OF THE SCHOOLS SHE CHOSE TO CLOSE, THEY ARE NEAR OTHER EDUCATION OPTIONS.

>> Reporter: OPTIONS LIKE CHARTER AND RENAISSANCE SCHOOLS THAT IF THE FAMILIES OF ABOUT 1,100 FAMILIES WERE TO CHOOSE WOULD ACTUALLY HURT THE DISTRICT SAYS BENSON.

>> THAT MEANS THE DISTRICT IS GOING TO LOSE STUDENTS AND LOSE FUNDING.

HOW DOES THAT PUT US IN A BETTER FINANCIAL FOOTING?

AND IF THOSE STUDENTS ASIDE, IF THEY DECIDE TO STAY IN OUR PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEMS, THEN THAT ADDS TO THE TRANSPORTATION BUDGET.

IN EVERY WAY THE DISTRICT LOSES.

>> TRANSPORTATION FOR MONTERO WOULD MEAN A 40-MINUTE COMMUTE TO SCHOOL.

AN IDEA THAT WILL TERRIFY HER BECAUSE SHE CANNOT IMAGINE HER YOUNGEST DAUGHTER WITH DOWN SYNDROME BEING THAT FAR AWAY IN A NEW SCHOOL THAT DOESN'T KNOW HER.

>> YOU ARE TAKING AWAY EVERYTHING WE BUILD AND EVERYTHING WE WORKED ON.

AND A LOT OF KIDS THAT WILL NEED THIS.

AND THERE ARE A LOT OF FAMILIES WORKING SIDE BY SIDE WITH THE TEACHERS.

>> WE SEE THEM AS OUR TRADITIONAL PUBLIC SCHOOLS THAT WILL BECOME A TARGET AS THEY WILL SIPHON OUR CHILDREN FROM OUT OF THESE SCHOOLS AND TO THE CHARTERS.

THEN WHEN THEY DO NOT FIT, THESE SCHOOLS ARE TAKEN AWAY FROM US, WHAT IS THE ALTERNATIVE FOR OUR CHILDREN?

>> Reporter: GARY FRASER'S SON IS A FOURTH SCHOOL SAVED FROM CLOSURE BECAUSE THERE ARE NO CHARTERS OR RENAISSANCE OPTIONS AROUND IT.

AND WHAT IS HAPPENING IN CAMDEN'S EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM IS WRONG.

>> CAMDEN IS THE ONLY CITY IN THE ENTIRE STATE THAT IS CALLING FOR THESE SCHOOL PROJECTS AND CHARTER SCHOOLS.

>> THE URBAN HOPE ACT WAS SIGNED IN 2012 AND ALLOWS PUBLIC DISTRICTS TO CONTRACT WITH CHARTER SCHOOLS TO CREATE NEW RENAISSANCE SCHOOLS.

IT ORIGINALLY INCLUDED NEWARK AND TRENTON, BUT NOW ONLY CAMDEN IS OPERATING UNDER IT.

IT DOESN'T SERVE THE COMMUNITY, CALLING ON SUPERINTENDENT MCHOLMES TO ENGAGE WITH THEM.

>> SHE HASN'T INVITED US TO HAVE A SEAT AT THE TABLE, TO SIT DOWN, AND RENDER A SOLUTION THAT IS TANGIBLE FOR US.

>> Reporter: WE REACHED OUT FOR COMMENT, BUT HAVE NOT YET HEARD BACK.

IN THE MEANTIME MONTERO QUESTIONS OTHER REASONS FOR THE CLOSURES LIKE BUILDING CONDITIONS.

>> HOW IS THE BUILDING DEPLORABLE?

>> AND THE CLOSURE IS CAUSING HER FAMILY ANXIETY AND EVEN WORSE COULD LIMIT HER KIDS' SUCCESS.

>> OUR KIDS ARE GOING TO COLLEGE, WHY ARE YOU RIPPING THE SYSTEM APART THAT IS WORKING?

>> Reporter: SHE PLANS TO KEEP RALLYING WITH OTHER PARENTS IN A LAST-DITCH EFFORT TO KEEP THESE SCHOOLS FROM CLOSING.

FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> WELL AFTER A YEAR OF LIVING UNDER INTENSE PANDEMIC PRESSURE, OUR KIDS ARE SUFFERING FROM THE AFFECTS.

COVID-19 CAUSED HEIGHTENED FORMS OF TRAUMA LIKE ABUSE AND POVERTY IN THE HOME KNOWN AS ADVERSE CHILDHOOD EXPERIENCES.

IT CAN LEAD TO A NUMBER OF CHRONIC HEALTH ISSUES LATER IN LIFE.

HOW CAN WE ADDRESS IT?

JOIN OUR HEALTHCARE RIDER AS SHE MODERATES A VIRTUAL ROUND TABLE DISSECTING THE ISSUE AT 4:00 P.M.

THIS THURSDAY.

HEAD TO NJTVONLINE.ORG AND CLICK ON THE ADVERTISEMENT TO REGISTER.

>>> THE NEED FOR FOOD AND BASIC SUPPLIES HAS ALSO DRAMATICALLY INCREASED DURING THE PANDEMIC.

BUT GETTING IT INTO THE HANDS OF THOSE IN NEED ISN'T ALWAYS EASY.

COMMUNITIES ACROSS THE STATE ARE REVIVING AN OLD METHOD FOR HELPING OUR NEIGHBORS CREATING LOCAL MUTUAL AID SOCIETIES.

COLLECTING DONATIONS THROUGH THE SPIRIT OF EMPATHY AND DIGNITY.

AND REMINDING US ALL THAT WE ARE CONNECTED DURING OUR TIMES OF NEED.

>> TWO JERSEY CITY EPISCOPAL CHURCHES LAUNCHED A FOOD PANTRY WITH THE GOAL OF HELPING IN UNDERSERVED NEIGHBORHOODS.

FOUR YEARS AND ONE PANDEMIC LATER, AND THE NEED HAS DOUBLED.

ACCORDING TO TRIANGLE PARK COMMUNITY CENTER'S DIRECTOR MONICA SHAW.

>> LAST YEAR BEFORE THE PANDEMIC, WE WERE SERVICING ABOUT 400 PEOPLE A MONTH.

AND NOW WE WILL SERVICE 100 TO 800 A MONTH.

>> Reporter: SO SOMEONE COULD JUST COME RIGHT BY, PICK THEM UP?

>> YES, THEY CAN GET A BOOK, A JACKET, THEY WILL GET SOME CLOTHING.

AND THERE IS FOOD INSIDE.

WE OFFER THEM SOMETHING HOT TO DRINK.

>> Reporter: BUT THERE IS SOMETHING THIS JERSEY CITY RESIDENT SAYS HAS BEEN MISSING WHEN IT COMES TO DONATIONS.

>> A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE WELL INTENTIONS, AND THEY COME UP WITH WHAT THEY THINK THE COMMUNITY NEEDS WITHOUT TAKING INTO ACCOUNT THAT THEY SHOULD REALLY ASK THE COMMUNITY IN ORDER TO MAKE AN IMPACT, YOU HAVE TO ASK THE CONSTITUENTS.

>> THIS IS MUCH MORE HAVING A CONVERSATION.

>> Reporter: IN JANUARY ARTIST AMY WILSON STARTED THE JERSEY CITY MUTUAL AID SOCIETY.

>> MUTUAL AID IS REALLY THE MOST BASIC WAY I COULD DESCRIBE IT.

IT IS LIKE NEIGHBORS HELPING NEIGHBORS.

>> Reporter: WILSON WILL DESCRIBE IT AS THE LONG WAY OF GIVING.

>> INSTEAD OF US BEING LIKE HEY, YOU NEED THIS.

LIKE WE ARE GOING TO GIVE YOU THIS.

WE ARE GOING TO THESE GROUPS, SAYING WHAT ARE YOU HEARING FROM YOUR COMMUNITY?

IT IS ALSO I THINK REALLY DONE WITH AN UNDERSTANDING WE COULD ALL BE IN THAT SITUATION TODAY.

>>> DURING CONVERSATIONS WITH FIVE ORGANIZATIONS SHE WORKS WITH CLOSELY, WILSON SAYS SHE DISCOVERED HOLES IN THE SYSTEM, ESPECIALLY WHEN IT COMES TO ITEMS LIKE DIAPERS.

>> THERE ARE NO FEDERAL PROGRAMS THAT PAY FOR DIAPERS.

AND SO IT IS A HUGE GAP AND SORT OF LIKE NOBODY EVER REACHED OUT.

>> TO HEAR AMY POST THE ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS DON'T COVER SUCH NECESSITIES BREAKS MY HEART.

AT THAT POINT THAT IS WHEN YOU SAY I CAN'T SIT HERE TO BE SAD ABOUT IT.

>> Reporter: WITH THE NEED GROWING, DEBBIE SCHWARTZ TAPS INTO HER DOG'S PLAY GROUP, ASKING FRIENDS WITH KIDS IF THEY HAD BABY CLOTHES AND ITEMS TO DONATE.

SHE BROUGHT THOSE DIRECTLY TO TRIANGLE PARK, WHICH HAS A GIVEAWAY FOR MOMS ONCE A WEEK.

>> ANYTHING THEY NEED TO LET ME KNOW AND I WILL FIND IT.

>> Reporter: A TOTAL OF 14 VOLUNTEERS.

AMY WILSON SAYS NOW HELPING WITH THE WEBSITE, ITEM COLLECTING OR MAKING DELIVERY RUNS.

FILLED WITH FREE ITEMS CREATED BY COMMUNITY MEMBERS FOR COMMUNITY MEMBERS.

>> AND IF THERE IS ANYTHING THEY HAVE TAUGHT US IS TO JUST BE THERE FOR ONE ANOTHER.

>> Reporter: MONICA SHAW SAYS JERSEY CITY'S MUTUAL AID SOCIETY IS ALLOWING HER TO EXPAND HER SERVICES.

AT A TIME WHEN THOSE SERVICES ARE MOST IN NEED.

>>> FINALLY TONIGHT THE STATE'S LONGEST SERVING FEMALE SUPREME COURT JUSTICE IS STEPPING DOWN.

SHE WILL RETIRE BY THE BENCH, GIVING GOVERNOR MURPHY THE ABILITY TO RESHAPE THE HIGH COURT DURING HIS FIRST TERM.

AND FOUR YEARS AWAY FROM THE STATE'S MANDATORY RETIREMENT AGE.

AND IN A STATEMENT ON MONDAY, SHE ECHOED WHAT WE HEARD FROM MANY OTHER RETIRING OFFICIALS.

SHE WOULD LIKE MORE FLEXIBILITY IN HER PERSONAL LIFE AND MORE TIME TO ENJOY WITH HER FAMILY.

LAVEKIA WAS SWORN IN 2000 AFTER BEING APPOINTED BY CHRISTY WHITMAN AND THE COURT'S ONLY INDEPENDENT JUSTICE.

>>> DON'T FORGET TO CHECK CHAT BOX WITH DAVID CRUZ LIVE THURSDAY NIGHT AT 6:30 P.M. ON THE NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS YOUTUBE CHANNEL.

THIS WEEK DAVID TAKES A LOOK AT WOMEN RETURNING TO THE WORK FORCE AS THE HEALTH CRISIS IMPROVES.

AND OR JUST ASK THEM LIVE.

I'M BRIANA VANNOZZI, FOR THE ENTIRE NEWS TEAM, THANKS FOR BEING HERE.

WE'LL SEE YOU TOMORROW.

>>> AND BY HORIZON BLUE CROSS, BLUE SHIELD OF NEW JERSEY.

AND INDEPENDENCE LICENSE OF THE BLUE CROSS BLUE CROSS ASSOCIATION.

>>> LOOK AT THESE KIDS, WHAT DO YOU SEE?

I SEE MYSELF.

I BECAME AN ESL TEACHER TO GIVE MY STUDENTS WHAT I WANTED WHEN I CAME TO THIS COUNTRY.

THE OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN, TO DREAM, TO ACHIEVE, A CHANCE TO BE AN AMERICAN.

MY NAME IS JULIET, AND I AM PROUD TO BE AN NJEA MEMBER.

IN UNCERTAIN TIMES, YOU NEED SOMEONE THAT HAS YOUR BACK AT HORIZON BLUE CROSS AND BLUE SHIELD OF NEW JEREY WE MAKE SURE OUR HEALTH PLANS HAVE THE BENEFITS YOU NEED.

MORE WAYS TO GET CARE VIRTUALLY.

MORE SUPPORT FOR YOUR MENTAL HEALTH.

MORE TOOLS ON YOUR PHONE.

WITH ALL THE RANGE OF HEALTH PLANS SO YOU AND YOUR FAMILY CAN FIND JUST WHAT YOU NEED.

AND WE CAN HELP.

NOT JUST IN UNCERTAIN TIMES.