Legislation currently moving through Trenton will affect the pensions of school employees. The bills that teachers are protesting include S-1962, which would eliminate benefit pensions for part-time employees, S-1964, would change the pension formula, and S-1969, that would reduce the pensions of those who hold two or more part-time jobs.

The demonstrators are demanding that O’Toole and other senators oppose the bills, as they fear they can do great harm to the educational system in New Jersey.

"We stand ready to work with the legislature to root out the real causes of pension abuse and corruption that genuinely harm the state’s finances," said NJEA President Joyce Powell, in a press release.

NJEA officials are denouncing the legislature’s attempt to scapegoat teachers, bus drivers, cafeteria workers, crossing guards, secretaries, and custodians.

About a year ago, the NJEA agreed to pension reforms, which were already saving taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars, Powell explained.

Members immersed a 10 percent increase in personal contributions to the pension system. Limits on early retirement were agreed on, as well as a cap on the maximum pension any individual could receive.

And they also agreed to a cap on the maximum pension an individual could receive. And now NJEA members say enough is enough. "Target the Abuser, Not the Worker" one sign dictated.

"This is the greatest case of bipartisan hypocrisy that I have ever seen," stated Joseph Cheff, president of the Passaic County Education Association. "As always, the victims are being blamed for the state’s inability to do their job. It’s the thieves blaming the victims."

Overall the NJEA feel that Gov. Corzine is on the right track as far as pensions for education employees are concerned, but it’s the state and county representatives they are pointing the finger at.

Sen. O’Toole was in Trenton at the time of the protest and was unavailable for comment.

"The state didn’t put into the system what they were supposed to, it’s very corrupt and getting worse," said Sal Gambino, first vice president elect for the Passaic County Education Association.

Part of the problem involves staff workers including cafeteria workers who receive about $10 to $15 an hour and are forced to work two jobs to make ends meet. And now according to S-1969 in particular, these employees would have pension benefits reduced. As some stated, it comes down to trying to save for retirement or put food on the table and buy medicine.

And for others concerns center around New Jersey’s educational future. Greg Panas, treasurer of the Wayne Education Association (WEA), became a teacher nine years ago. Prior to that he was the owner of Willowbrook Mobil. Back in 1995 he decided to get his biology degree and started working in the Wayne district in 1999.

"With all this going on I wonder how they are going to attract people like myself with a diverse work background without guarantee of a fair pension. If this were back in 1995, I would think twice about going to be a teacher without knowing I’d be given a fair chance."

Panas has a history of educators in his family and now his daughter, April, a sophomore at Ramapo College, is studying elementary education, hoping to carry on the tradition.

"I like kids and I’m not going to let this situation stop me from becoming a teacher. I have an interest in it and a lot of friends going in the same field," April said.

But on the same token April said she thinks the negativity will eventually turn some kids away from teaching. As for Panas, he tries to keep his daughter informed on the necessary issues.

"I try to make sure she knows what to keep an eye on," he said.

Committing to the issues, April will be joining Student NJEA, which will offer her background on the matters that teachers face.

"This will help me decide whether this is what I really want to do as a career," April stated.