Petition Launched To Save Band Director From Lacey Budget Cuts

LACEY, NJ — Faced with massive budget cuts, the future of many Lacey Township School District employees is uncertain. But students are trying to fight to keep on their favorite educators.

A change.org petition was recently created by a Lacey student titled "Save Monty, OUR band director and educator."

The title refers to Christopher Montague, band director in Lacey. The petition says that Montague "is not only amazing at teaching, but he is also such an inspiration to many of us students."

Advocates are also encouraging residents to come to the next Board of Education meeting at Lacey Township High School on April 18 to voice their feelings on these budget cuts.

With the district's budget at a $6.9 million deficit, dozens of cuts are set to be made, including many job positions. Read more: 'Financial Crisis' Could Have State Overseeing Lacey Schools

If this sounds familiar, it's because last year had a similar situation - students created a petition to try and save their music teacher Joseph Brausam. Read more: Petition Seeks To Return Beloved Lacey Middle School Music Teacher

The petition says that Montague is like family to band students. And signers of the petition agree.

One commenter, now in college, said that while being bullied and ostracized in school, Montague's band room offered a safe haven.

"Monty kept the entire arts department alive and thriving in his years here," another said. "He allows his students the opportunity to truly believe in themselves and abilities they don't know they have yet."

"We all understand that this is not something that is up to the school, budget cuts are what they are, and at some points the board has to go to drastic measures to keep the school even existing... this isn't just a message to the school board, but to people far above the administrator and superintendent. Budget cuts may help some schools, but is this how it was supposed to end up?" One commenter asked.

The next Board of Education meeting is April 18 at 6 p.m. in the LTHS Lecture Hall.