Schools

Schools Recover Librarian Position, Kindergarten Aides

Board of Education, Cranford Education Association to finalize agreement by the end of the month.

With state funding axed out of school district budgets across-the-board, it was a tumultuous spring for public schools across New Jersey. But while Cranford district officials and employees alike reeled from the decrease of $2.5 million in state aid, this summer and fall are proving to offer a little more hope.

In August the retirement of one staff member freed up additional funding which the BOE used to draw back some faculty into the fold. Assistant Superintendent James McLaughlin reported that the BOE has recovered one librarian position – two were originally slated for removal in April.

The BOE also appointed kindergarten aides, originally not included in this year's budget. Instead of 2.5 hours a day like last year, the part-time employees will be spending 1.5 hours in 13 kindergarten sections per day.

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"We know that class size at the kindergarten level really demands a great deal from the teacher and classroom assistants provide a vital service to students there," McLaughlin said.

Watching these developments, Robin Melleno, vice president of the Cranford Education Association, said she hopes the board will continue to move in this direction.

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"I think its a shame...that they've let professional staff go but I think they attempted to bring as much back as they can and hopefully it will continue," she said.

Ongoing Negotiations

Negotiations between the BOE and the district teacher's union Cranford Education Association are also just about wrapped up.

Both organizations have reached an agreement which officials say will be finalized by the end of this month – although Superintendent of Schools Gayle Carrick will not comment publicly on how this will change the faculty lineup at press time. 

In the spring, it was announced that the BOE would attempt to recover eight to 10 teaching positions if the Cranford Education Association agreed to a salary freeze. The two organizations have attended negotiations all summer.

Another glimmer of hope comes by way of federal aid. The Cranford School District also received word that it will be receiving $110,892 from the U.S. government – courtesy of the Federal Jobs Bill. Superintendent Gayle Carrick has declined to comment on how the BOE is considering utilizing these funds however.

Spring Funding Cuts

When the statewide cuts were first announced by Governor Christie, administrators and teachers both proved to be vocal in their opposition.

First came an angry resolution from the Board of Education issuing a call back the funds; then some Cranford teachers joined a picket line in front of the offices of Governor Christie supporters senator Tom Kean Jr. (R-Westfield) and Assemblywoman Nancy Munoz (R-Summit).

Finally in April the Cranford Board of Education approved a number of cuts to minimize expenses. About 34 staff positions were originally extracted from the district's $52 million budget, including 12 teachers and certificated positions, three administrators, six clerical workers and 13 classroom assistants. Officials also halted optional maintenance projects and some school programs.

Community Stops Sports Programs From Striking Out

As for program reductions, the BOE sliced the $100,000 middle school sports program from the budget and all 13 high school sports assistant coaches.

But many community members have picked up the slack on sports programs. Private groups initiating a pay-to-play fee to offset expenses have resurrected four middle school sports teams. At Cranford High School, the seven former fall sports assistant coaches cut from the budget are still working as volunteers, according to Athletic Director Marc Taglieri.

"It's another example of Cranford residents rallying around athletics, and turning something that was not a good situation into a positive," Taglieri said.

 


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