Several principals in the Montclair Public Schools district have sent letters to families encouraging them to “vote YES” on an upcoming special election referendum designed to address a multi-million dollar budget deficit. These communications have prompted questions about their legality under New Jersey state law, which restricts the use of school resources for political advocacy.
Key Takeaways
- Multiple Montclair school principals sent letters asking families to “vote YES” on a December 9 special election referendum.
- The referendum seeks to raise taxes to cover a $19.6 million budget deficit and prevent over 100 staff layoffs.
- State law prohibits school officials from distributing materials that favor or oppose a public question in an election.
- A local teacher publicly described the administrators' actions as “unethical, potentially illegal.”
- District officials, including the superintendent, have not responded to requests for comment on the matter.
Details of the Controversial Communications
Letters from administrators at several Montclair schools, including Buzz Aldrin Middle School, Glenfield Middle School, and Bradford School, have become the center of a local controversy. The messages directly ask parents and guardians to support two ballot questions in a special election scheduled for December 9.
In one such letter, Buzz Aldrin Middle School Principal Major B. Jennings warned of “significant reductions” if the referendum fails. He outlined potential cuts, including the elimination of more than 100 staff positions across the district, courtesy busing, sports programs, and extracurricular clubs.
The letter concluded with a direct appeal. “Most importantly, please consider voting YES in the special election,” Jennings wrote to families. Similar messages were reportedly sent by principals at Hillside School and Edgemont School.
The Financial Stakes
If voters approve both ballot measures, the owner of a home assessed at the township average of approximately $640,000 would face a $1,738 annual tax increase. This new tax would be in addition to a 5.6% tax levy increase the school board approved in May 2025.
Legal and Ethical Questions Arise
The actions of the school principals have raised serious questions regarding compliance with New Jersey state law. The relevant statute explicitly forbids school officials from using their position to influence elections.
What New Jersey Law Says
According to state law, school officials are prohibited from distributing literature that “promotes, favors or opposes” candidates for office or “the adoption of any bond issue, proposal, or any public question submitted at any general, municipal or school election.”
The district’s own policy also addresses political activity, stating, “The Board prohibits the use of school premises and school time for partisan political purposes.” The policy further notes that employees “shall not post political circulars or petitions on school premises nor distribute such circulars or petitions to students.”
Expert Legal Perspective
Jonathan M. Busch, an attorney who represents school districts in New Jersey but did not comment specifically on the Montclair situation, has written about this issue. He explained that while districts can encourage public participation in elections, advocating for a specific outcome is problematic.
“There are occasional concerns about the school district encouraging or discouraging a particular vote. Employees do have individual first amendment rights to advocate for political positions under special circumstances. Where those rights begin and end are very fact specific and depend on the circumstances presented,” Busch noted.
District Faces Criticism and a Budget Crisis
The controversy comes as the Montclair school district grapples with a significant financial shortfall. The district is facing a $19.6 million budget deficit, which reports attribute to a mix of overspending and insufficient financial oversight from the school board.
District officials have stated that the tax increase proposed in the referendum is necessary to prevent deep and damaging cuts to staff and student programs. However, the methods used to promote the referendum have drawn sharp criticism.
A Teacher Speaks Out
During a recent school board meeting, Montclair High School English teacher Nick Stambuli publicly condemned the principals' letters. He argued that the communications were improper and placed the blame for the financial crisis on the district's leadership.
“Principals in the district emailed parents urging them to vote ‘yes.’ That action is unethical, potentially illegal and implies that they did so under the direction of the superintendent,” Stambuli stated during the public comment portion of the meeting.
Stambuli continued his critique by addressing residents directly. “There are no good solutions, but you need to know that the board was not misinformed or misled. They made the decisions that got us here and are now delivering propaganda to bail themselves out.”
According to reports from the meeting, neither Superintendent Ruth B. Turner nor any school board members responded to Stambuli’s comments. Requests for comment sent to Superintendent Turner, district spokesperson Lauren Shears Agnew, and Principal Jennings were also not immediately answered.
