81 Full-Time Paraprofessionals At Risk Under Southern Ocean School Budget

LITTLE EGG HARBOR, NJ — Paraprofessionals and preschool aids in the Little Egg Harbor Township School District have their jobs at risk under the proposed budget for the 2026-27 school year.

All 81 positions are being cut in the upcoming budget, with current staff invited to return as part-time employees without any benefits.

The reason is an increase in health care costs. In a five-hour school board meeting, district Business Administrator Carl Morelli explained it would make health care costs almost a third of the district's budget.

"It's unsustainable," he said.

It was unclear how much money cutting these roles would save.

The district has had a difficult few years regarding the budget. Last year, the district increased taxes by nearly 33 percent due to rising costs.

"How much more do you take as taxpayers?" Morelli said.

During the meeting, educators and families worried about the impact that cutting paraprofessionals would have on special needs students.

"If paraprofessionals are important enough to work with the most vulnerable students every single day, when they should be important to be valued as full time professionals," one current paraprofessional said.

"If my son needs full time support to to learn and stay safe, how is part time support enough?" a father asked.

The board voted to further analyze how the cuts would impact students.