Montclair School Budget Passes Final Vote From Board: WATCH

MONTCLAIR, NJ — The Montclair Board of Education voted to give a final green light to the school district’s 2024-2025 budget at their meeting on Monday evening.

The board introduced its latest budget in March. Administrators held a public hearing and presentation earlier this month (see it online here).

As reported earlier this year, the spending plan doesn’t have any staff cuts for budgetary purposes, officials said. Read More: No Job Cuts In Proposed Montclair School Budget

“We kept the tax increase to the 2 percent cap, which benefits all those living in town – with or without children in the schools,” board president Melanie Deysher said.

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The board’s vote took place without any protest from the crowd. It was a stark difference from last year, when the room was filled with students and community members angry about budget cuts and staff layoffs. See Related: Montclair Students Protest Teacher Cuts In School Budget (WATCH)

“The approved budget is structured so that a framework exists to maintain stability for years to come,” business administrator Christina Hunt said.

The budget “maintains a variety of programs including the arts across all schools,” and “provides for continued upgrades in technology infrastructure that will support 21st century teaching and learning,” according to a statement from the office of Superintendent Jonathan Ponds.

The statement continues:

“Professional development for staff is supported by this budget, and the district expects to make progress in providing targeted interventions for students. One of the district’s new investments includes a wider use of assessment tools. The district is also mobilizing and training its partners in effective academic and social emotional methods so they can provide enhanced tutoring and support.”

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