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As the budget shortfall of over $19 million looms over the Montclair Public School District, many jobs and programs have been cut.
In her most recent letter to families, Superintendent Ruth B. Turner stated that the district will proceed with broad-based layoffs because its last-ditch effort to increase taxes via a referendum was unsuccessful. As such, Turner stated that the district is facing a budgetary shortfall, which she said could only be resolved through significant reductions.
Although the district plans to try to place a tax increase before voters again, Turner stated that there isn’t much time left and that the cuts from the October Board meeting will therefore take effect. Officials had previously stated they would need to eliminate or reassign between 100 and 150 jobs, as well as significantly reduce all athletic teams, clubs, extracurricular activities, and bus transportation without additional funding.
“Almost all of the reductions we were discussing in the Fall will become effective,” Turner wrote. She also stated that the district has finally reached a point where it can no longer delay making these types of decisions, even though parents, teachers, and students continue to fight against the size of the cuts.
The financial crisis has caused divisions within the Montclair community. A community known for its high level of wealth and excellent public education options, some residents feel that tax increases are necessary to prevent long-term damage to the school system, while others believe the district should address what they view as years of poor management.
Although the district has not yet provided a detailed breakdown of which positions or programs will be impacted first, more information is expected as the Board prepares for another referendum attempt.