West Orange Schools Hack Away At Budget Gap (See Possible Cuts)

WEST ORANGE, NJ — Several cost-cutting measures are being floated to help the West Orange Public School District cope with a looming budget gap. The list of possibilities includes staff reductions, consolidating courses, reorganizing middle schools and taking a fresh look at bussing.

Superintendent Hayden Moore gave a preliminary budget presentation at the West Orange Board of Education meeting on March 17. He said there are two challenges that the district has to contend with: a big drop in state aid, and rising operational costs.

There were two options on the table, Moore explained: a zero percent tax levy and a 2.3 percent tax levy. Both choices would come with dozens of staff cuts. The 2.3 percent option would mean a $242 yearly school tax increase for a homeowner with a property valued at $615,472.

A public hearing for the adoption of the final budget is scheduled for May 5. >> Read More: Staff Cuts, Tax Hike Possible In West Orange School Budget

After the budget presentation, the district launched an online survey seeking feedback from the community about how to close the financial gap. Administrators have gotten “numerous valuable suggestions,” according to Moore.

The superintendent shared the following update on Monday:

“I am writing to inform you about upcoming budget adjustments for the 2025-26 school year. Due to a reduction in state aid, our district faces a significant budget deficit that necessitates careful consideration of various measures to maintain our programs for students.

“Since our preliminary budget presentation on March 17, we have received numerous valuable suggestions from our community. We appreciate your input. It's clear that we share a common goal: to consider every possible option to protect our outstanding programs and staff. The administration has been diligently exploring various scenarios, understanding that these decisions affect our entire community, and we are striving to minimize tax increases.

“I want to remind everyone that I am not only the superintendent, but also a parent in our district, a resident, and a taxpayer within our community. While I acknowledge that some individuals have expressed their support for raising taxes to cover costs, I want to emphasize that this proposal is a significant concern for many of our neighbors. We are fortunate to live in an economically diverse community, and it is imperative that we consider the potential impact on those who may already be struggling to manage the costs of living and working multiple jobs to make ends meet.

“As superintendent, I am committed to representing the interests of all members of our community, and it is essential that we approach this issue with reasonableness and consideration for the diverse circumstances of our families.

“Some of the considerations on the table for our administration to review include:

• Consolidating Courses - At the high school level, we will audit course options and combine classes with very low enrollment (9 students/less) in order to streamline instruction, preserve program offerings, and address the issue of low enrollment across all course options, rather than eliminate courses.
• Grant Initiatives & Donations - We will continue to leverage annual grant funding tied to specific program implementation, adhering to all terms and conditions. Donations may be available momentarily, these are funding resources that cannot be relied on long term and are not recurring financial contracts.
• Professional Development - Required certifications may enable the district to fulfill PD using cost-saving alternative methods.
• Reorganizing Middle Schools - Our three middle schools can be reorganized to serve grades 6-8 in each. This will lead to savings in transportation costs, provide greater continuity for students, and positively impact academic performance.

“We are examining a reduction in the following areas:

• Facility Use - We aim to minimize the use of our facilities by private organizations free of charge as the ongoing wear and tear, property upkeep, and staff overtime has become a financial burden for the district.
• School Bussing And Transportation Options - This includes a review of late runs after school and field trips.
• Staff - Any reductions in tenured and non-tenured staff will be approached strategically, with careful consideration of the impact on instruction.

“These and many other measures are on the table for consideration as the administration is dedicated to preserving as many programs as possible for our students. Our work continues until we finalize the budget and we appreciate your patience and understanding as we navigate this process together. We are committed to acting in the best interests of our students, families, and staff. We will keep you informed as we move forward with due diligence.”

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