Parents, teachers and union press Little Egg Harbor BOE to restore 81 paraprofessional jobs; board orders further review

At a March 11 meeting, the Little Egg Harbor Board of Education filed a tentative 2026–27 budget that holds the tax levy to 2% and restores seven certificated staff positions, while also confirming a district restructuring that abolished 81 full‑time paraprofessional and preschool assistant roles.

Hundreds of residents, employees and union representatives filled the board room to oppose the staffing change and to press the board for more transparency and a reversal. “I was totally blindsided by an email … that the Board of Education abolished the position of full time paraprofessionals,” said Marion Seaman Ronaldo, who identified herself as a full‑time paraprofessional whose position was abolished. “I was totally blindsided by this action that seemed to me both sneaky and underhanded.”

The superintendent’s presentation explained the fiscal drivers behind the district’s decisions. Superintendent Carl told the audience the budget is constrained by rising health‑care costs, reductions in state aid and other structural pressures; he said the tentative budget would hold the tax levy to 2% and include seven new certificated positions. “We are holding at a 2% tax levy increase,” the superintendent said during the presentation, and he described transportation changes and a solar PPA as part of a multi‑pronged plan to stabilize finances.

Union and teacher‑association leaders warned that replacing experienced full‑time paraprofessionals with part‑time roles would raise turnover, undermine IEP compliance and put vulnerable students at risk. “Replacing full time professionals with part time, no‑benefit roles will have serious consequences for student achievement, staff morale, and school safety,” Jacqueline Finnegan, president of the LEHDEA, told the board.

Parents and teachers gave multiple examples of how continuity of paraprofessional staff supports toileting, feeding, behavior management and safety for students with disabilities. “Consistency in staffing is not a preference. Staffing is not a preference. It’s a safeguard,” said Danielle Thompson, a special‑education teacher and parent whose daughter requires a full‑time aide.

The New Jersey Education Association field representative, Lou Randazzo, told the board members their action could face legal challenge and said union members were preparing to pursue remedies. “The action you have taken to abolish their positions is illegal,” he said, adding that the union would assist affected employees.

Several parents and staff also raised separate facilities and health concerns. Speakers described ongoing roof leaks, ceiling tiles falling, and visible staining; a parent said she had referred the district to OSHA and questioned whether air‑quality testing covered the specific affected rooms. The superintendent said the district had contracted environmental testing and posted a report on March 10 that the administration said found no problematic mold in the sampled areas, but parents and staff pressed for additional testing of rooms they said had been moved or closed.

After a lengthy public comment period, a board member moved to amend the March 10 resolution that abolished full‑time paraprofessional positions. The amendment requires the board to review the district’s final staffing plan, the financial impact, and a student‑impact analysis prior to implementation. The motion was seconded and approved on a roll‑call vote; the board directed administration to return with the requested information during the budget review period so members can reconsider the abolishment before the final budget adoption in April.

Separately, the board voted to submit the tentative 2026–27 budget to the county by the statutory deadline. Board members stressed the tentativeness of that filing and emphasized they will continue negotiations with unions, seek additional cost data (including for health‑care alternatives), and evaluate the staffing plan before the final adoption vote.

What’s next: administration will provide the requested staffing, financial and student‑impact materials to the board and stakeholders during the budget cycle; the final budget vote is scheduled for April and the board said it will meet with unions and share further information before then.