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West Orange superintendent warns of $14 million shortfall; community objects to plan that could outsource paraprofessionals
Summary
Superintendent Moore told the Board of Education the district faces a $14 million budget gap and is exploring staff restructuring, including outsourcing paraprofessionals; parents, teachers and special‑education staff said outsourcing would harm vulnerable students and urged alternative revenue or targeted cuts.
Superintendent Moore told the West Orange Board of Education on April 20 that the district faces a “real and immediate” $14 million budget shortfall and that personnel costs — salaries and benefits — make up roughly 80% of the operating budget. Moore said the district is considering a set of options to close the gap, including measures that could change how paraprofessionals are employed, though no final action was taken at the meeting.
The prospect of moving paraprofessionals off the district payroll prompted more than three hours of public comment. Josh Goldbarb, president of the West Orange Education Association, called the outsourcing plan “farcical” and said it could leave students with…
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