Students and parents press Washington Township board after FBLA, other extracurriculars put on hold amid budget cuts

Students and parents pressed the Washington Township Board of Education on cuts or suspensions to extracurricular programs — chief among them Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) and a high-school drama stipend — during a packed public-comment period, saying the changes remove opportunities that helped them win awards and qualify for state and national competitions.

The students’ appeals came as administrators and board leaders said the district faces budget constraints and that some stipends and activities will “not run” this year while the administration pursues alternative funding, volunteer oversight and donations. Janine Wechter, the district business administrator, said the high school’s co-curricular reduction totaled about $78,000.

Why it matters: Students and parents said FBLA and drama offer leadership, career exploration, competition and community that are not easily replaced by classroom instruction. Several students described national competition qualifications and growing chapter membership; parents and community members offered to volunteer or donate to preserve…