73 Would Lose Jobs Under Tentative Lacey School Budget

LACEY, NJ — Under the tentative Lacey Township School District budget for 2023-24, dozens will lose their jobs and grades will be changed around to different schools, district officials said.

A nearly $4 million loss in state aid means that "drastic cuts" will be made in the district, officials have previously said. Read more: 'Budget Crisis' Will Lead To Drastic Cuts In Lacey Schools

Now, more details have been revealed, as the tentative budget was shared at the latest Board of Education meeting.

According to administration, 73 jobs will be cut. These will be mostly non-tenured positions, said Business Administrator Sharon Silvia. Health aides and paraprofessionals will be cut from full-time to part-time, she said.

There will be reductions in special education, plus supplies, co-curriculars and more.

In addition, there will be a district realignment.

The realignment puts all preschoolers and kindergarteners in Mill Pond and grades one through five into the other three elementary schools. The middle school will become a "true middle school," said Assistant Superintendent William Zylinski, with sixth through eighth grade attending.

Class sizes will also be increasing due to the staff reduction.

There will be a 65 percent decrease in the state aid cuts, according to a $102 million deal that was reached, State Sen. Vin Gopal told Patch. This was announced after the Board of Education meeting. It's not immediately clear how this will impact Lacey. Read more: $102M To Ease NJ School Funding Cuts Under Deal, Gopal Says

Community members decried these cuts, especially one current high school student, who praised his paraprofessional for all the help and support she has given him.

"I can't function without a consistent paraprofessional by my side," he said. He was met with a standing ovation from meeting attendees.

Administration and students urged everyone to contact state representatives to fight for their funding back.

"I take it personally," said Committeeman Peter Curatolo, who said he was speaking as a Lacey resident and father. "It's often said that if you want to kill a tree, you start at the roots."

He also called on state legislators to provide the district with more money. The Lacey Township municipal government has been open about their disgust with the reduction. Read more: Township Officials Slam Proposed State Aid Cuts For Lacey Schools

"My success has come from education," Curatolo said. "Give these kids the same due respect."