SOUTH BRUNSWICK, NJ — This Thursday, April 11, South Brunswick schools superintendent Scott Feder will give an important presentation before the Board of Education on the $6.2-million budget shortfall the district is currently facing, due to state budget cuts.
Feder asks that everyone try to attend Thursday night’s meeting, where he will talk frankly and directly about how the district will be impacted. Or watch online.
The meeting will be held at 7 p.m. Thursday, April 11 at Crossroads North Middle School auditorium, 635 Georges Road, Monmouth Junction, NJ. Board meetings will be streamed live and can be accessed on the district website prior to the start of the meeting at www.sbschools.org All public comments will be accepted in-person only.
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April 5, 2024 Read his letter to the community here, or below.
Dear South Brunswick School Community,
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Over the past few weeks, we have held a series of open forums for the community and staff to learn more about the budget challenges facing our community. We have recently provided you with recordings of these forums (click here), where we shared that we have a revenue shortage of $6,200,000 ($6.2 million) due to the state’s continued assault on our budget over the last six years.
We have shared these recordings (access here) with you to ensure transparency and invited you to these forums to provide participation.
The administration has been working tirelessly around the clock for the last few months attempting to limit the impact of this substantial deficit; however, cutting over $6,000,000 out of a budget will not come easy and without significant loss to the district.
Below we have outlined the current expected impact to our district. For a more comprehensive understanding of our financial situation, we urge you to review any of the recent forums where we have provided detailed explanations.
March 14 Budget Q & A Forum for Parents & Community
March 20 Budget Q & A Forum for Parents & Community
I would be remiss if I did not thank our District Advocacy Committee along with students, administrators and Board Members who testified at various state meetings on behalf of the South Brunswick School District. Please click here to view our most recent testimony given at the Senate Budget Hearing in Newark.
On April 11th, during the Board of Education meeting, we will be holding a special session dedicated to discussing these reductions and changes. There will be time set aside for public comment and a Q&A from the school community specifically on the budget topics listed below.
HERE IS A GENERAL LISTING OF SIGNIFICANT CHANGES AND LOSSES, REDUCTIONS & IMPACTS
Approximately 65+ staff positions reduced (5% of our staff)
Teachers
Administrators
Supervisors
Custodians/Maintenance
Paraprofessionals
Secretaries
Coaches
Club advisors
Other district professionals
• Reduction in student supports and opportunities
• Removal of B teams from Middle School Athletics.
• High School limiting student class switches
• High School course cut-offs
• Reduced Security
• Overall reduced customer service
o Slower response time to queries due to reduced staff/higher class size.
o HIB investigations taking longer.
o Grading taking longer due to more students in classes.
INCREASED FEES
• Pay to Play increasing
• High School Student Parking fees increasing
• Advanced Placement Testing fee increasing
• Lunch prices increasing
• Chromebook insurance fee increasing
• Facility Rental Fees Increasing
• Full cost payment for all field trips
• NEW – Fee for Late Buses
• NEW Implementation of Subscription busing (+1-mile K-8, +1.25 miles 9-12)
While we acknowledge these fee increases are unwelcomed and undesired, they are necessary to sustain our programs and continue providing enriching experiences for all our students.
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As you will see by watching the forums, we’re actively advocating to the state to reconsider the funding cuts and to see the error of its ways and will be monitoring legislature activity. The district’s final budget adoption is scheduled for May 7, 2024.
Before you come out to the meeting on April 11, please make sure to watch the forum so you are fully informed as to why the district is facing this financial crisis. PLEASE BE AWARE THAT WE WILL NOT BE REPEATING THE INFORMATION FROM PRIOR MEETINGS. THE APRIL 11TH MEETING WILL BE SOLELY GEARED TOWARDS THE INFORMATION IN THIS LETTER.
This meeting, like all BOE meetings, will be streamed live and can be accessed on the website prior to the start of the meeting at www.sbschools.org, but please remember that comments and questions can only be made in person.
Sincerely,
Scott Feder
Superintendent of Schools
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