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Board approves new unbudgeted special-education teacher recommendation to meet IEP caps
Summary
Superintendent Dr. Garibay recommended, and trustees approved, adding one unbudgeted special-education teacher at CREST for 2026–27 to meet New Jersey administrative-code caps; administration said the position can be funded within the current budget via retirements and other flexibilities (BA Step 1 ~ $65,000).
Superintendent Dr. Garibay presented a personnel recommendation for a new, unbudgeted special-education teacher at CREST for the 2026–27 school year, citing increased classifications and ongoing evaluations.
"This new unbudgeted position is needed to meet the needs of both students newly found eligible for special edu services programs and current students whose instructional programs are changing for the 2627 school year," Dr. Garibay read to the board, noting 32 newly classified students during 2025–26 and an additional 20 students currently being evaluated this summer.
She referenced the New Jersey Special Education Administrative Code that caps class assignments in certain programs and told trustees the administration had identified internal funding sources — including salary savings from retirements — and proposed funding the role at BA Step 1 (listed in the materials as approximately $65,000). Trustees discussed alternatives such as staff reassignments, temporary contracting and the legal risk of noncompliance if IEPs could not be met; the administration said it had explored transfers and would continue to "right-size" staffing based on enrollment.
At roll call on the personnel slate, the board approved items 1–23 with one recorded abstention on item #2 (Mrs. Cameron) and a recusal on items 10–13 by Trustee Regnetta. Administrators said the position is not tenured and can be revisited in subsequent staffing reviews.
