South Orange – Maplewood Board of Education

18 positions will be cut through attrition; 10 employees will be fired. The budget also entails a 35% reduction for materials and textbooks, applied evenly across departments.

A $100K benefit to the SOMSD property in Maplewood, negotiated with the developer of The Gleason, is set to expire in May if the Board of Ed does not act.

From the South Orange Maplewood Board of Education: The Board of Education will meet…

“I hope that the district reviews this in great detail,” said Board 2nd VP Nubia DuVall Wilson. “The importance of this policy with district personnel and the appropriate state-mandated steps that personnel must take if or when they believe a student has experienced abuse by a staff member. … It helps give the voiceless safety and support.”

BOE President Dr. Qawi Telesford proposed a reassessment of the Long Range Facilities Plan to determine new priorities, particularly those that affect student safety, like the CHS elevator and stage.

Supporters of CHS Principal Frank Sanchez, who has been charged with simple assault & child endangerment, read portions of a “review of opinion” that said Sanchez had not violated district Affirmative Action policies or engaged in behavior unbecoming a public school official.

“…at this point, we are well beyond trimming fat from our budget. We are cutting into bone,” said Gilbert.
Meanwhile, at Monday’s BOSE meeting, Business Admin. Eric Burnside defended himself and his office against accusations of mismanaging funds.

On Feb. 29, District officials said the Ritzer Field project could not be severed from the bond resolution; but now the “ask” is broken out into four project numbers.

As district faces unexpected deficit, Board members implore Business Administrator to rethink budgeting process. “None of us feel good about this,” one BOE member said.

After confusion and fear surrounding Code Yellows at CHS, Acting Supt. vows stricter enforcement of student IDs, limited entrances, door alarms and technology upgrades.