Full-Time Special Ed Teacher Aides' Jobs May Be In Jeopardy

BRIDGEWATER, NJ — Full-time special education teacher aides' jobs in the Bridgewater-Raritan Regional School District may be in jeopardy.

Parents and teachers came out in numbers wearing special needs and unity T-shirts over this possibility. Many who spoke during the standing-room only Tuesday night Board of Education meeting were not happy.

“We are concerned with what this will do to impact our children,” said one mother. “It is important for the children to trust their teachers.”

The replacing of the full-time special education teacher aides with part-timers have been rumored to have been talked about during school budget discussions.

When asked by a parent at the meeting if this was in fact true, Superintendent Russell Lazovick said he could not talk about the specifics of the conversation.

“We are looking at a number of areas, one is the support staff,” Lazovick said.

He added that if a decision was made parents would be notified. However, parents were not happy with that. They asked to be part of the process and requested a meeting with Lazovick over this.

One mother questioned the type of commitment a part-timer with no benefits would have versus a full-timer.

“The last thing our children need is a revolving door of teachers,” said a mother.

Lazovick did not return emails or phone calls to Patch to comment on this possibility.

The board will approve a tentative budget by March 29 and a public hearing and final adoption is scheduled for April 24.

(Image by Alexis Tarrazi)

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