Montclair Public Schools has issued notices of termination, potential layoff, or reassignment to 153 employees as the district grapples with a staggering $19.6 million budget deficit. The fate of many of these positions now rests on the outcome of a special election scheduled for December, where voters will decide on a significant tax increase to cover the shortfall.
In a letter to staff, Superintendent Ruth B. Turner described the decisions as among the most difficult a leader can face. The notices, which went out Wednesday, have sent a wave of uncertainty through the school community, affecting a wide range of staff from operational aides and counselors to teachers and librarians.
Key Takeaways
- Montclair Public Schools issued 153 notices for termination, reduction in force, or reassignment.
- The district is facing a $19.6 million budget deficit for the 2025-2026 school year.
- A special election in December will ask voters to approve a $7.6 million tax levy to partially cover the deficit.
- If the measure fails, layoffs will be effective December 31, 2025. Even if it passes, not all jobs may be saved.
A District on the Brink
The formal notices are part of a state-mandated process known as a “Reduction in Force,” or RIF. According to an interoffice memo, the district must take these steps to prepare for a balanced budget for the 2025-2026 school year, regardless of the special election's outcome. The memo states that this is a “necessary step due to the district’s current financial crisis.”
Superintendent Turner explained that the district is required to adhere to strict timelines for these actions. The notices ensure that if the crucial funding measure fails in December, the staff reductions will already be in place as legally required. Employees who received a termination or RIF notice have been informed their last day of employment would be December 31, 2025.
What is a Reduction in Force (RIF)?
A Reduction in Force is a formal process used by organizations, including school districts, to eliminate positions due to budget constraints or restructuring. Unlike a termination for cause, a RIF is not based on an employee's performance. Superintendent Turner noted that an RIF notice indicates an employee has seniority rights, prioritizing them for rehire if positions become available again.
The school board is scheduled to discuss the employment terms for the affected staff in a closed session on October 27. A vote on the superintendent's RIF recommendations is also expected at that meeting.
The High Stakes of a Special Election
The future of the Montclair school system is now tied to a special election ballot on December 9. Specifically, voters will decide on "question #2," which asks for authorization to raise an additional $7.6 million in taxes to help balance the budget.
Approval of this measure would have a direct financial impact on residents. For a home assessed at the township average of approximately $640,000, the tax increase would amount to an additional $674 per year. The district has made it clear that a failure to pass this measure will result in deep and painful cuts across the board.
Positions at Risk
The 113 positions specifically tied to the failure of the December vote include a wide range of essential school staff:
- Operational Aides
- Restorative Justice Teachers
- School Counselors
- School Assistance Counselors
- Secretarial Staff
- Central Office Administrators
- Curriculum Support Teachers
- Technology Teachers
- World Language Teachers
- Nurses
- Librarians
- Paraprofessionals
However, Superintendent Turner delivered a sobering message: even if voters approve the tax levy, it may not be enough to save every job. She confirmed that not all 153 employees who received notices will be reinstated, though she did not provide a specific number of positions that would be cut regardless of the election's outcome. This suggests that the district's financial problems run deeper than the $7.6 million figure on the ballot.
An Emotional Toll on School Staff
As the notices were distributed on Wednesday, the impact was felt immediately in school hallways across the district. One paraprofessional at an elementary school, who asked to remain anonymous after receiving a termination notice, described the atmosphere as emotional.
“There were many tears in the hallways,” the paraprofessional shared. They noted that staff members rallied to support one another, with some bringing in comfort food for colleagues who had received the difficult news.
The uncertainty is weighing heavily on employees who have dedicated their careers to Montclair students. The paraprofessional expressed a mix of hope and resolve in the face of an unknown future.
“I’m going to finish out strong and pray that something better comes from this, or that it gets overturned,” they said. Their sentiment reflects a broader anxiety among staff who must now wait two months for voters to decide their fate.
Danny Marcketta, President of the Montclair Education Association, confirmed that the layoff notices were being issued but declined to comment further on the situation. The union and its members now face a period of significant uncertainty as they await the board's meeting and the subsequent public vote.
A Community at a Crossroads
The impending staff cuts and the special election place the Montclair community at a critical juncture. The district's $19.6 million deficit signals a severe financial crisis that requires immediate and decisive action. The proposed solution—a substantial tax increase—pits the need to fund essential school services against the financial burden on homeowners.
The coming weeks will likely see intense debate among parents, educators, and taxpayers about the best path forward. The decisions made in the board room and at the ballot box on December 9 will not only determine the careers of 153 dedicated employees but will also shape the educational landscape for thousands of Montclair students for years to come.
