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Students and parents urge action as Robbinsville outlines cuts; board hears pleas to save AVID and sports
Summary
Dozens of students and residents spoke during public comment after the budget presentation, with students describing fear over lost programs and parents offering to fund or advocate for short‑ and long‑term solutions; officials said they will continue outreach to state legislators and local partners.
Students and parents packed public comment at the Robbinsville Board of Education meeting on March 24 to press officials for alternatives after administrators outlined $2.4 million in cuts resulting from a failed March 10 funding question.
Madison Beaver, a fifth‑grade student at Pond Road Middle School, told the board, “We are scared to have overcrowded classrooms. We are scared to lose programs like AVID, enrichment and band.” Ava Wittcamp, a sixth‑grade choir and athletics participant, said the AVID program supports about 100 local students and “has already assisted me so much; I’m not ready to say goodbye to it.” Many student speakers described clubs, sports and arts as central to their school engagement and emotional wellbeing.
Parents and residents echoed those concerns. Lonnie Jacob thanked administrators for outreach and asked what the community can do at county and state levels to help; he asked whether short‑term state relief could still preserve some cuts if approved before the budget takes effect. Resident Amanda Gruber asked for clarification on courtesy‑busing eligibility and whether specific electives (for example, STEAM or library services) were at risk.
Officials said the district is pursuing several mitigation paths: forming partnerships with a 501(c)(3) to collect and manage donations for clubs and activities, piloting subscription busing for families at $13.50 per student, and continuing legislative outreach with the mayor and District 14 representatives. Dr. Pizzo said the mayor and district have drafted a joint letter to state leaders and that the district is working with local legislators, including communications with State Senator Linda Greenstein, on proposals such as refinancing and other relief options.
What comes next: public outreach sessions are planned and administrators said they will provide additional details about how donations would be handled, a timeline for subscription busing notices to families and how parents and organizations can volunteer to support specific programs. The board also approved a personnel motion (H2A) after an executive session; administrators said further staffing details will be announced once finalized.
The meeting illustrated sharp community concern about program losses and a willingness among residents to help fund or advocate for alternatives, while officials said available options will take time and coordination with county and state partners.
