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Students and teachers urge West Orange board to preserve journalism and electives as budget cuts loom
Summary
During a lengthy public‑comment period on March 17, students, teachers and parents implored the West Orange Board of Education not to eliminate journalism courses or cut staff, with several student leaders and teachers warning cuts would silence student voices and reduce key supports.
Dozens of students, teachers, parents and community members used the March 17 public-comment period to urge the West Orange Board of Education to avoid cuts that would eliminate journalism electives, reduce counseling and special-education supports, or otherwise shrink opportunities for students.
Student leaders from the Pioneer online newspaper warned that the district's proposed staffing and scheduling changes had already led some guidance counselors to tell students that journalism classes might not be offered next year. "Cutting the journalism program is silencing the student body," said Taylor Shimik, a senior and managing editor of the Pioneer. Nia McKinny, a student speaker and the paper's co-editor-in-chief, said removing newspaper class would deprive students of hands-on reporting experience and college‑ready skills.
Teachers and union representatives echoed concerns that the cuts would harm instruction. Josh Gar, president of the West Orange Education Association, thanked the board for removing a 0% option from consideration and urged board members to "do the right thing and vote to increase the budget" to preserve classroom staffing and programs. Sixth-grade teacher Molly Eisen said proposed staffing reductions would be "devastating" and pleaded for collaboration with staff to find alternatives.
Parents and special-education advocates told the board the district is known for its services for students with disabilities and that even moderate cuts could have outsized effects on those students. One parent, Haven Burton, said she could not imagine losing the therapies and individualized instruction her children rely on.
Board leaders and Mr. Moore responded that no final program eliminations had been approved and that the presentation reflected scenarios under consideration. They encouraged continued community advocacy to state legislators and solicited suggestions from staff and residents for possible savings that would avoid classroom impacts.
The board said it will continue to analyze options and provide updated information at future meetings; the county review is scheduled for April 25 and the final budget vote is May 5. Community members asked the board to hold town-hall meetings and provide clearer, earlier communication about potential changes to classes and staffing.
