Hopatcong Teacher on Chopping Block: 'Go Out There and Vote'

Jerry Venturino entered his fourth-grade classroom last week knowing his days as a Hopatcong teacher could be numbered. And though the 27-year-old lifetime borough resident was concerned for his job, he was also worried about how more cuts would affect Hopatcong schools.

Last week, Venturino and five other teachers . District Superintendent Dr. Charles Maranzano said on Friday they'll keep their jobs if Hopatcong votes in favor of the proposed school budget Wednesday. And if not, more teachers could be released, depending on how much—if any—the borough council wants sliced from the budget.

Venturino said he hopes borough residents vote.

"As a taxpayer, I would recommend people go out there and vote because, you know, it is the future, it is the children," he said. "And it's a shame to see them suffer because they're the ones who really suffer from losing teachers and losing programs. I'd just encourage them to go out there and vote."

Venturino knows something about Hopatcong schools.

A 2002 graduate, Venturino quarterbacked the Chiefs to their first football state title before graduating form Moravian College and teaching at Durban Avenue for five years.

But a "no" vote to the district's proposed $35 million budget, which would , could send him and the others looking for work. It also could send elementary school class sizes upward, Maranzano said Friday.

"If I have to [cut] deeper, it's going to affect my elementary schools disproportionally because it's the only place I can pull teaching staff from," he said. "It's the only place I can pull people from and maintain programing. … We are trying to maintain the integrity of our educational program, albeit with higher numbers of kids in the classroom."

It's the second time Venturino has been through the process. Last year, he was given a reduction-in-force notice when the state slashed $1.7 million from the district's funding, but was brought back despite the budget failing for the seventh straight year.

Venturino said he received the news during school Thursday from Principal Brian Byrne. Then the assistant football and baseball coach spent the rest of day and Friday trying not to let if affect his teaching.

"It's tough to go back into the classroom like nothing's happened," he said. "But you've got 25 10-year-old kids who are extremely needy and need your help to play that role. You never want to bring your personal life into the classroom. That's what you're taught in college. It's something they stress and it's something you've got to live by. Do not bring your personal life into the classroom. It's not fair to the kids, bottom line.

"I was able to soak it in," he continued. "Just another obstacle. You have to learn to get over it. If you get knocked down seven times, you have to get up eight."

That was the message Venturino delivered to his baseball team Thursday during a meeting with players in the locker room.

"It's good to show high school kids that you can be that role model, to show them, hey, you're going to get punched in the face in life, but you've got to be able to swing back and get over it," he said.