West Essex Board of Ed Votes to Freeze Raises

In the wake of Gov. Chris Christie's cuts in state aid to schools, the West Essex Board of Education meeting Monday night focused on measures to maintain educational standards without introducing drastic measures.

Faced with a $1.5 million reduction—nearly 90 percent—in state aid, the district introduced a preliminary budget of approximately $32.5 million with exact numbers to be determined later this week. 

According to board member Angela Gerken, the budget would break down to a total of $34,094,804, including a debt service of $2,490,680 along with $331,000 in special revenue.

"We have asked for three cap waivers," Gerken said. "We don't know if we are going to get them."

"We already know we're not going to get part of one," Superintendent Thomas McMahon responded.

According to McMahon, many unknowns remain regarding the budget, which will not be released in its entirety until the district's public hearing on Wednesday, March 31.

"There have been a number of changes almost daily in terms of the budget signing," he said. "I will know more specifics after the weekend actually."

West Essex senior Ryan Soroka, of North Caldwell, addressed to the board his concerns on academic and extra-curricular cutbacks as a result of the reduction to state aid.

"I'd hate to see such a great school deteriorate due to your having to cut things.  I would hate to see something I have prided myself on for so long deteriorate," he told the board.

"Through the grapevine, I heard that since there is not much state funding left, there is a concern for what may occur to certain electives. My West Essex experience would not be complete if I didn't have accounting, band especially.  Those were certain things that made West Essex, West Essex."

However, Board President Joyce Candido responded, "We will do everything in our power to save the academic and athletic programs."

A vote was taken to pass a memorandum of agreement that already has the cooperation of all bargaining units (with the exception of teachers), comprised of West Essex Administrators Association, West Essex Teachers Association, West Essex Secretaries Association, West Essex Custodial Maintenance Association, and the non-affiliated, central office personnel.

The teachers met and voted Tuesday.

According to Candido, this memorandum, which establishes a 0 percent pay raise and keeps salaries the same for the next school year "from Dr. McMahon on down," allows reasonable class sizes and preserves staffing levels "necessary to continue to deliver our outstanding educational programs."

"These agreements allow the district to make the best of a very bad situation," Candido said.

Approximately half of the state aid lost—$700,000—will be saved from the measures stipulated in the memorandum.

With this agreement, class sizes will maintain the same level as the current school year and staff cuts are not anticipated.

Alleviating the sober atmosphere, Candido quipped, "I'd also like to point out that the board has agreed not to take any increase over the next year."

"Students of West Essex will really appreciate this," Candido said. "It's a very positive step, and in the right direction. It's devastating to lose that much money in state aid and in light of what's going on in the economy, we don't feel it would be possible to raise that amount in taxes.

"I really truly appreciate everyone pulling together and working as a team and the West Essex family is shining right now. This is wonderful. I'm very happy that all this is going on."

Vice President Phyllis Helmstetter emphasized the district's team effort that quickly mobilized to establish priorities in defining the budget.

"Our staff has my respect and my admiration," she said. "I have never seen people move so quickly to prove just how much they value the education of students. Everybody to the last man and woman has shown where their true priorities lie here, and it truly is involved in the welfare and wellbeing of the students and keeping the education standards as high as possible at West Essex."

While unable to attend next week's meeting, which was originally scheduled for Monday, March 29, board member Diane Storey said it was important for the students who were in attendance to hear the district's plans for next year.

"I support what everybody has been working so hard at. Clearly—from Dr. McMahon to the principals to the supervisors to the finance committee—this is a really tough time to be an administrator, teacher, board member, a principal, a community member.

"It's tough for the kids too because there is so much uncertainty. I appreciate being able to help the students feel good about what's going to happen over the next year."

Maintaining programs will continue to be a district priority, McMahon said.

"It's been a united effort. Everybody immediately stepped up to the plate and supported this community and the children. I think that speaks volumes," McMahon said.

"Everyone's joined forces to make sure that students don't lose any of the programs that they've had."