South Brunswick schools braces for 'significant losses' in staff and programs
SOUTH BRUNSWICK – The Board of Education will hold a special meeting Thursday to discuss the 2024-25 school budget that includes "significant losses" of programming and staffing.
In a letter to the school community, Superintendent Scott Feder said the district has found itself with a revenue shortage of $6.2 million “due to the state’s continued assault on our budget over the last six years."
Among the reductions are a 5% loss of staff, increased fees for lunches, increased class sizes, reduced security and course eliminations.
More than 65 jobs including teachers, administrators, supervisors, custodians, paraprofessionals, secretaries, coaches, club advisors and other district professionals may be cut, Feder said.
Additionally, new fees will be incurred including a fee for late buses and the implementation of subscription busing for those living under a mile for grades K-8 and 1 ? miles for grades 9-12, he said.
"The administration has been working tirelessly around the clock for the last few months attempting to limit the impact of this substantial deficit; however, cutting over $6,000,000 out of a budget will not come easy and without significant loss to the district," Feder said. While we acknowledge these fee increases are unwelcomed and undesired, they are necessary to sustain our programs and continue providing enriching experiences for all our students."
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In recent weeks, the district has held a series of open forums for the community and staff to learn more about the budget challenges facing the school community.
Feder said the district has been actively advocating to the state to "reconsider the funding cuts and to see the error of its ways" and intends to continue monitoring Legislature activity.
There has been a steady decline in state aid to South Brunswick in the last six years. In 2018-2019, the district received $24.7 million and for the upcoming school year, the district was allotted $14.2 million.
The final budget will be adopted May 7.
The special session will be held at 7 p.m. at Crossroads North Middle School and will be streamed live on the district’s website.
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Cheryl Makin is an award-winning features and education reporter for MyCentralJersey.com, part of the USA Today Network. Contact: [email protected] or @CherylMakin. To get unlimited access, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.
This article originally appeared on MyCentralJersey.com: South Brunswick NJ schools bracing for 'significant losses' in staff