103 Montclair School Staff Laid Off, Given ‘Reduction In Force’ Notices

MONTCLAIR, NJ — More than 100 staff members in the Montclair Public School District have been laid off or impacted by a “reduction in force” notice due to ongoing financial struggles, administrators say.

The Montclair Public School District is facing a looming budget gap that has now swelled to $19.6 million. The shortfall is spread between two separate budgets: the 2024-2025 budget contains a deficit of $12.6 million, and the 2025-2026 budget has a deficit of $7 million.

A potential bailout for Montclair’s embattled public school district will be placed in the hands of local voters this December – but they’ll have to greenlight a property tax increase if they want to make it a reality.

>> Read More: Montclair School Board OKs Special Election For Taxpayer Bailout

Montclair Superintendent Ruth Turner gave an update on the situation on Thursday.

According to Turner, staffing notifications were issued to district employees on Oct. 22. The total of 153 letters issued included a combination of reduction-in-force (RIF) notices, terminations, and reassignments. Of that total, 103 employees were either terminated or affected by a RIF.

These notifications were issued in accordance with the required 60-day notice period, with an effective date of Dec. 31.

“The process of making and communicating staffing reductions is incredibly difficult, but it is important to provide clarity and context about what this means for our district,” the superintendent said.

Turner said that a “reduction in force” happens when a position is abolished or reduced due to financial constraints or organizational restructuring. Staff who hold tenure or seniority rights are placed on a recall list and may be called back if positions reopen.

On the other hand, “termination” applies to employees without tenure or seniority who do not have recall rights during a RIF process.

Additionally, some employees are being “bumped” into new titles or positions because another staff member with greater seniority has the contractual or statutory right to assume their current role. These bumping rights are defined by state statutes and/or collective bargaining agreements and are designed to ensure fairness for staff with seniority, Turner said.

According to Turner, the town’s upcoming special election on Dec. 9 – which contains two separate referendum questions – will impact the futures of some staff members:

“If Question #2 on the ballot passes, the district will then notify employees of the positions that can be reinstated as we work towards fiscal stability. The district continues to review its budget constraints and remains committed to maintaining a balanced budget for this year and in the years ahead. If Question #2 does not pass, these difficult cuts will still be necessary for the district to balance the budget.”

“Our priority remains transparency, compassion, and stability as we navigate this very challenging time for our district and our community,” Turner said.

“We recognize the personal and professional impact these decisions have on our staff, and we remain steadfast in our commitment to fiscal responsibility and educational excellence for our students,” she added.

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