MONTCLAIR, NJ — How will the Montclair Public School District's budget struggles impact special education students? That was one of several questions that arose during a recent town hall forum.
The April 22 event was hosted by the district’s Department of Pupil Services and the Montclair Special Education Parents Advisory Committee (SEPAC).
Watch video footage below, or view it online here.
The district is facing a budget gap that had swelled to $20 million at one point. Administrators recently outlined nearly $6 million in proposed cuts, including dozens of staff cuts. Freshman sports could be eliminated, and a $1.5 million reduction to transportation costs is also on the table. A public hearing on the budget is scheduled for Wednesday, April 29.
>> READ MORE: Public Hearing, Vote On Montclair School Budget Nears
During last Wednesday’s town hall, the Department of Pupil Services gave an overview about how the district is planning to support students with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) amid the financial crunch.
“Most importantly, we reaffirmed a central commitment: while locations may change, the supports and services our students receive will remain consistent and centered on their individual needs,” Superintendent Ruth Turner later said in a message to the community.
According to Turner, other key highlights included:
Continuity of Services – “Students will continue to receive all programs and supports outlined in their IEPs, regardless of school location. Services remain individualized, consistent, and aligned to each student’s needs.”
Programs and Supports: - “Our district continues to provide a full range of services, including in-class resource support, pull-out services, self-contained programs, and related services such as speech, occupational therapy, counseling, and more.”
Staffing and Service Delivery - “Staffing decisions are driven by student needs, not building location. Case managers and service providers will remain consistent, ensuring continuity and stability for students and families.”
Support in the Classroom- Students with IEPs will continue to access grade-level curriculum with appropriate supports, accommodations, and modifications, within the least restrictive environment whenever possible.”
Transition Planning - “As students transition between schools, collaborative planning is underway to ensure a smooth and thoughtful process. This includes individualized planning, family engagement opportunities, and coordination between sending and receiving schools.”
Extended School Year (ESY) – “Information was shared about ESY programming for Summer 2026, including eligibility criteria, services offered, and program structure to support students in maintaining progress toward their IEP goals.”
CUTS IN MONTCLAIR SCHOOLS
The district’s financial woes – which predate the current superintendent and business administrator – have been blamed on the district “spending beyond its means,” with the hiring of unbudgeted staff, unpaid bills and other unbudgeted expenses contributing to the deficit.
In an effort to balance the books, the district recently put a referendum before voters, who were asked to approve or reject two different questions. The first question would have approved a one-time $12.6 million tax hike. The second question would have greenlighted a permanent $5 million per year increase. Voters narrowly approved the one-time tax increase – but rejected a permanent hike to the tax levy.
>> READ MORE: All Votes Finally Counted In Montclair School Election: Here Are The Results
Prior to the referendum, Montclair school administrators warned that cuts are unavoidable – regardless of how the election turned out.
The district has already looked to staff cuts as one way of balancing the books. More than 100 staff members in the Montclair Public School District were laid off or impacted by a “reduction in force” notice last fall, although some of them were eventually hired back.
In March, the board of education unanimously voted in favor of a resolution to close Renaissance Middle School and turn it into a pre-K facility. The move is expected to save the district nearly $2.3 million per year.
>> READ MORE: Decision Made On Plan To Close Montclair School
Administrators gave a preliminary presentation about the 2026-2027 school budget at the Montclair Board of Education meeting on March 18. Watch video footage here.
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