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ECE teachers say district treated them poorly after nonrenewal amid move to full‑day kindergarten
Summary
At the May 14 Monroe Township Board of Education meeting, two ECE kindergarten teachers who said they were notified their contracts would not be renewed criticized the timing and tone of the district's notice as the district transitions to full‑day kindergarten; board members acknowledged their service and said resumes would be considered for other openings.
At the May 14 Monroe Township Board of Education meeting, ECE kindergarten teachers Cheryl Quitner and Marissa Shapiro told the board their nine years running the early childhood enrichment (ECE) program had ended with a district letter saying they were "not recommended for employment" for the 2026‑27 school year and that their contracts would not be renewed.
"Please be advised that the board of education will be informed that you're not recommended for employment come the 202627 school year and your contract will not be renewed," Quitner said, reading the district letter aloud and saying the message arrived during Teacher Appreciation Week. She and Shapiro described the ECE program as an instructional enrichment program — not daycare — and said they built events such as an annual art show and other family activities that they said benefited students and the community.
Shapiro said the program’s work had been overlooked and that staff felt undervalued and unsupported during the transition to full‑day kindergarten. "We deserved transparency, guidance, respect, and a fair treatment throughout this process," she said.
A board member thanked the speakers and expressed regret that the teachers felt mistreated, saying resumes and experience would be considered for future district opportunities; the speaker did not promise specific reassignments. The board did not vote on individual ECE staffing changes at the meeting.
Administrators have said the district is moving to full‑day kindergarten; the teachers and multiple public speakers asked the board to acknowledge the contributions of ECE staff and to handle personnel transitions with more communication and support. Several board members publicly recognized the program’s positive work and applauded the staff during the meeting.
The public comment drew applause from attendees. The board’s next regular meeting is scheduled for June 17, when personnel matters and related staffing decisions may appear again on the agenda.
