East Brunswick BOE Addresses Possible Closing, Repurposing Of Bowne-Munro

EAST BRUNSWICK, NJ — The East Brunswick School District will once again be facing budget constraints due to the proposed cuts in state aid.

The district earlier said that there could be the possibility of closing or repurposing Bowne-Munro Elementary School, much to the concern of residents.

During last week’s Board of Education meeting, Superintendent Victoir Valeski and Assistant Superintendent Bernardo Giuliana discussed the impacts of state aid cuts on the elementary school.

The board aims to keep students together as much as possible, avoiding widespread relocation. Valeski said the district administration is looking at every possibility.

“It's not our intention to spread children throughout the district, not saying that's not what might happen. That's not our intention,” Valeski said. "We don't have those answers yet, but that's what we're working toward.”

One of the suggestions proposed was repurposing the facility to expand the Early Learning Academy (ELA), a revenue-generating program.

Initial estimates suggest that adding more ELA classes could generate $578,000 based on the current waiting list, with potential to increase to $878,000 if all available seats are utilized, Giuliana told the Board and community.

However, operational costs for a nurse, custodian, and security need to be deducted, resulting in a conservative revenue of over $350,000.

Additionally, savings from certain positions could amount to an extra $760,000, totaling a $1.1 million positive impact.

Some of the proposed cost-saving measures included closing elementary schools at 6:15 p.m., reducing teaching positions due to enrollment declines, eliminating summer special education programs, and removing Saturday detentions.

These measures would save approximately $1.2 million annually.

Board president Heather Guas said she was uncomfortable with firing any teacher due to the possible closing or repurposing.

Although Valeski said it was not the district’s intention to fire employees, he did not want to make a public statement just yet.

“I'm just hesitant to give a public statement that might not be accurate in a week or two. I'm not trying to scare anybody. I just don't want to give that information in public,” Valeski said.

Giuliana told the BOE that the redistricting study that's currently underway would give administrators the data related to the number of students at each location. He also reminded members that there are a number of classrooms at district schools that are currently not occupied, and these will help when taking on the additional students that would be redistricted out of Bowne-Munro.

To watch the entire discussion, click here.

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