Save Montclair Schools

Last updated Oct. 13, 2025

Due to a $12.6M (8.5+%) deficit from the 2024-2025 school year and projected $7M (4+%) deficit for the 2025-2026 school year, all Montclair public schools are at risk of critical budget cuts.

According to reports by Superintendent Ruth B. Turner and Interim Business Administrator Dana Sullivan – both of whom are new as of July 1, 2025 and did not contribute to the budget shortfall – the district will no longer be able to meet payroll needs by mid-December 2025.

Due to requirements to provide 60-days advance notice, termination letters will be issued for several non-mandated district staff on Nov. 1. There is a chance for those termination letters to be rescinded if two special election measures are voted on Tue., Dec. 9. Read on for specific details.

We are an assembled collection of Montclair parents, an independent and unofficial group dedicated to cutting through the noise. Our goal is to bring all the scattered info about our schools into one reliable source of truth. We're a work in progress, with at least one parent representing every Montclair school, as we organize and transparently detail efforts.

Your vote on Tue., Dec. 9 determines the future of our public schools.

How did we get here?

The following slides were shared by Superintendent Turner at the Montclair Board of Education (BOE) Special Meeting, Oct. 7, 2025:

2024-2025 Budget Deficits

This slide explains where the budget was overspent for the 2024-2025 school year.

The 2024-2025 Montclair Public Schools operating budget was $147,470,493 as presented on May 13, 2024.

The 2024-2025 deficit of $12.6M represents just over 8.5% of the budget for that year.

2025-2026 Projected Budget Deficits

This slide explains where the Montclair School District is projected to fall short in it’s 2025-2026 budget.

A Google search reveals the 2025-2026 Montclair Public School District budget was a $170.2M spending plan that was presented in March 2025 and adopted in May 2025.

The projected 2025-2026 deficit of $7M represents a shortfall of just over 4% of the approved budget for this year.

What cuts are suggested?

The Montclair BOE asked Superintendent Turner to attend the Special Meeting on Oct. 7 and present recommend areas where cuts can be made to resolve budget shortfalls for the 2025-2026 school year.

This list was shared by Superintendent Turner as the recommended areas where expenses must be cut to achieve budget resolution if Question #2 does not pass the special election. She explained that this list was determined by looking at what is mandated vs. what is discretionary spending under State Law. These are things that can be cut because they are not mandated.

She further explained that the expenses listed here do not achieve the full $7M gap that must be resolved for this school year; cutting these listed expenses still leaves the district with a $2.2-2.5M shortfall, which will need to come from somewhere.

She also made clear that the district is committed to protecting core education and special education services, as these are mandated services.

“This is not a scare tactic, this is our reality.” – Superintendent Turner

What solutions are proposed?

SOLUTION 1

Immediate advance of State Loan for deficit of $12.6M in 2024-2025 school year.

Measure approved by the Montclair BOE at the Special Meeting on Oct. 7.
This scenario appears to be unavoidable in order to continue immediate operation of the school district.
If a vote is not passed to raise taxes to repay the loan in the immediate term, the district will be required to repay this loan over the next 10 years and the Montclair School District will come under the control of a State Monitor (timing and terms to be verified with the district).

SOLUTION 2

Special Election: N.J.S.A. 18A:22-40

Question #1: A one-time tax levy to cover the 2024-2025 debt (to repay the advanced NJ State loan of approximately $12.6M).
Question #2: A tax raise to cover the 25-26 deficit (approximately $7M), reestablishing the new benchmark from which the annual 2% levy is raised.

It’s NOT an either/or question.

Here’s how all voting scenarios play out:

What if the township votes “no” to both questions?

If the township votes no on both questions it has decided to pay off neither the debt nor the deficit.
The $12.6M state loan (which was already approved by vote) means we are borrowing against future state aid.
If question 1 is voted down, we are committing to repaying the loan over the next 10 years, which comes with a state monitor, and which means that $1.25M of our annual district budget would go toward loan repayment every year for the next 10 years. In addition, we would pay the salary of the state monitor for those 10 years.
Because we will not have serviced the deficit, all of the cuts that have been proposed for January will go into effect, with the possibility the state monitor will require even more stringent cuts in January. There will also be further cuts in September 2026 and beyond, overseen by the state.

What happens if the township votes “no” to Question #1, but “yes” to Question #2?

This is the most difficult outcome to predict. If we vote no Question #1, we hold the $12.6 debt to the state, we owe $1.25M annual loan repayment, and Montclair remains under state oversight for the next 10 years. But because we have passed Question #2, which provides funds to manage this year’s deficit, we should theoretically have enough money on hand to avoid the proposed January cuts because the deficit has been serviced.
After that the picture becomes murkier: because Question #2 also includes a recurring, annual tax there will be more money on hand in future years, so future budgets may be better equipped to balance, and the severity of state monitor cuts may be less.
But there are a lot of unknowns in this scenario, including the particular priorities and personality of the state monitor assigned, the larger political climate and Gubernatorial race, and what should happen if the Montclair school system finds itself financially stressed at any point in the next 10 years—at which point the state monitor would have to enforce more stringent cuts.

What if the township votes “yes” to Question #1, but “no” to Question #2?

If Montclair votes yes on Question #1, we will have voted to pay off the debt and so we will avoid long-term state oversight and retain control of the school system.
But in voting no on Question #2, the deficit for the 2025-2026 school year remains, with no additional funds for this school year or coming years. All of the cuts proposed for January will go into effect, with further changes likely coming in September 2026, overseen by the Montclair BOE.

What happens if the township votes “yes” to both questions?

We pay off our debt and deficit, avoid state control and the January cuts, and give ourselves time to make judicious, meaningful changes to our spending, pursue accountability of the correct parties and not our students, and establish safeguards to ensure oversight of the budget.

State history has shown that state control tends to cut aggressively based on state minimums rather than community needs.

WHAT STATE MONITORSHIP MEANS.

*More info on the powers of a State Monitor here.

Slides following are from the BOE Special Meeting on Oct. 7:

How do we know this won’t happen again?

At the BOE Special Meeting on Oct. 7, Superintendent Turner detailed several procedural measures to ensure appropriate oversight in district financial transactions.

How much could this cost me?

No one wants to pay more taxes.

But we urge you to consider the costs to student education, the culture of our beloved town, and the cost of losing significant property value as the domino effects of this impact unravel.

vs.

Points of view from the community

View all

"...we may be comparing over $10,000 home value put at risk vs. a $2,000 tax increase on average.” -- community member | “...the increase in tax is nothing compared to the dumpster dive their home value is about to take..." -- community member | “Surely a top level objective should be a deep investigation into the alleged malfeasance, and a turnover of the boards finance committee” -- community member | “I have exited anger phase and have moved into action.” -- community member | “A school nurse is often the first responder... Seconds matter if your child needs an EpiPen or has low blood sugar, and a nurse's quick action could save their life.” -- community member | “I care about the people who will lose their jobs, who are not the people who should be losing their jobs.” -- community member |

“The biggest problem with all of this is confidence and trust.” -- community member | “For an owner of a home assessed at $300,000... $1,000 more for the year will cut into affording basics... you’re asking to put a disproportionate burden on your lower-income neighbors." -- Renaissance & MHS parent | "I am a 'soon to be', but currently non-tenured teacher... who will likely get a termination letter Nov 1... through no fault of my own." -- community teacher | "In my 15+ years as an administrator, I have never felt something as intensely devastating as the potential impacts we are facing on our incredible students and team of educators." -- Maria Francisco, Renaissance Principal |

"No matter the outcome, please know that our commitment remains unwavering and we will continue to provide every student with a safe, nurturing, and high-quality educational experience." -- Edwyn Acevedo, Hillside Elementary Principal | "No matter what the future holds, it is essential that we continue to care for one another, show empathy, and remain mindful of the humanity at the center of every decision." -- Joseph A. Putrino Jr., Ed. D., Northeast Principal | "These reductions would have a direct impact on the student experience. They would affect class sizes, available programs, and the daily support that students rely on for both their academic and personal growth." -- Dr. Frances A. Aboushi, Glenfield Principal | "Each of these positions plays an important role in maintaining a safe, supportive, and well-rounded learning environment for our students." -- Dr. Frank Sedita, Bradford Principal |

Questions asked and answered:

Q: What is meant by courtesy busing:

A: There is a difference between the current Montclair busing mandate and the NJ busing mandate. We would have to follow the NJ busing mandate to save on significant transportation costs.

NJ busing mandate:

A school district is mandated to provide transportation for students who live "remote" from their school. The distance that defines "remote" is based on the student's grade level.

Elementary school (K–8): A student living more than two miles from their school is entitled to transportation.
High school (9–12): A student living more than 2.5 miles from their school is entitled to transportation.

Current Montclair busing mandate:

Elementary school

Eligibility: Students in elementary school who reside 1 mile or more from their assigned school are eligible for free busing.
Ineligible: Addresses that fall within a 1-mile radius of the school are not eligible for district-provided transportation.

Middle school

Eligibility: Middle school students who reside 1 mile or more from their assigned school are eligible for free busing.
Ineligible: Students who live within a 1-mile radius of their school are not eligible.

High school

Eligibility: High school students who reside 2.25 miles or more from the district high school are eligible for free busing.
Ineligible: Students who live within a 2.25-mile radius of the high school are not eligible.

Q: Why would these cuts not reach $7M?

A: Because for the current year the cuts would only take effect in January, which is halfway through the school year.

Q: Even if question 2 passes, will there still be expenditure cuts?

A: There will still be significant expenditure cut conversations because of the structural deficit and cuts would need to take place by July/Sept. of next year.

Q: Can a state monitor recommend a raising of taxes?

A: A state monitor can only raise taxes to the extent that the law allows them to (2% annually) and/or for the health insurance waiver but would not be able to raise taxes any higher than the district can.

Q: (Working from an understanding that our current deficit is a result of spending down the district fund balance on recurring expenses…) what should the fund balance be used for?

A: Maintain the 2% for emergency moneys then choose an amount you’re comfortable you can generate every year ($500K-750K) and, although you can’t budget that your expenditures will always zero out, keep the rest in reserve accounts (which also helps cash flow).

Q: Would we have to pay the state monitor?

A: Yes. We would need to pay the state monitor ~$125 per hour (needs to be verified) for 32 hours per week.

Q: Will we hold steadfast to be committed to our mandates for our children with special needs.

A: Yes, it’s a legal mandate to meet the terms of IEP.

To offer clarity on this point - Superintendent Turner and the Office of Pupil Services have provided verbal reassurance that since IEPs are legal contracts, their terms will continue to be met as it is mandated by law. “Paraprofessionals for Kindergarten” are known colloquially as “Classroom Assistants” and are not present in classrooms as a result of IEP terms. If a child’s IEP calls for Paraprofessional Support, they will continue to have Paraprofessional Support.

This is not to say that there is no prospect for consolidation, as evidenced by the mention of five personnel cuts denoted in “CST/Related Service Providers” on the Budget Cuts slide.

Further, it would be expected that any IEP services provided by Curriculum Support Teachers, Reading Interventionists, or School Counselors would be consolidated or provided by another specialist, in compliance with the IEP. However, students without IEPs who receive support from these staff would evidently suffer a complete loss of this support.

Clarification of how compliance with IEPs will be met is needed from the district, and parents of children who receive these supports should be advised to follow the situation closely.

Q: Please clarify the amount of advance notice that needs to be provided.

A: By Nov. 1, the school system must notify the staff that there will be a reduction in workforce by Jan 1.

If point #2 passes, then those notices will be withdrawn… but some cuts would remain and more cuts would be proposed as we plan for 2026-2027 school year.

*The public will see that the school system is “right sizing” well before this vote.

Q: To confirm, we’ve already negotiated the current debt?

A: For LY 2024-2025 costs - Essex County regional is a big part of that. The school system is going to verify all of their bills, and won’t pay anything until it meets with them (obligated to pay out of district tuition - no negotiating with that and utility bills are still being analyzed). The school system will try to negotiate what it can but quite a number will be required to pay (e.g., 2025-2026: salaries, health insurance is self-funded so could be higher or lower, transportation is contingent on what is shared with other districts so those costs vary with limited control).