Parents Upset Over Possible Move For Special Ed Students (NJ)
April 22, 2010
The special education students of Washington School may find themselves in a new location next year, due to budget cuts, a fact that has raised the ire of some residents.
Washington School houses administration school officials and four classes, all of which are special education. These classes consist of two half-day preschool disabled classes, a language and/or learning disabilities (LLD) primary class, a full-day preschool disabled class for students who fall on the autistic spectrum and a multiple disabled program. The classes and students who are currently located at Washington School may be moved to either Long Memorial School or Helen I. Smith Elementary School for the 2010-11 school year as part of a proposed plan by the district. Business Administrator Raymond Karaty and Special Services Administrator Laura Thoresen confirmed that there is a proposed plan to move the students out of Washington School for the 2010-11 school year.
"This is really the worst budget anyone has seen in a while," said Superintendent of Schools Dr. Harry Groveman. "We had to look at every aspect of the budget. We lost teachers, we consolidated classes and did a whole host of other things that we didn’t want to do. Times are tough and they require tough choices."
Groveman explained movin g the students will help save the district money.
"As of right now, if we put those children in other schools, cut the janitors and the nursing staff from the school we will save roughly $100,000 per year," said the superintendent. "I understand that there is going to be anxiety on the part of any parent who is informed that his or her child will be moved to a different school, certainly so when it comes to special education students. I just want parents to know that although the move seems like it is going to take place, none of the teachers who currently work in the program are being cut."
The proposed plan, which is part of the district’s school budget that was set to be voted on by residents on April 20, has caused some anxiety from a number of parents. Saddle Brook Special Education Parents Advisory Council (SBSEPAC) Chairwoman Lenda Fayez is firmly against the move.
"It should be known that what is going on is flat out wrong. I understand that the budget this year is a hard issue to tackle but how dare the Board of Education members straddle our special education students with this burden," she said. "They are the kids in the district who need to be fought for the most and instead of standing up for them, the board has decided to cast them aside and make them take the brunt of the fiscal hit. It is simply wrong and it will not and cannot be tolerated."
Georgette Cupo, the vice chair of the SBSEPAC, is a candidate running for an open seat on the Board of Education. One of her main concerns is the treatment of Saddle Brook’s special education children.
"As a concerned member of the community, I want residents to know that I am highly concerned with the handling of our special education students. We have to make sure that they are treated with the same amount of respec t that the other students are. In these tough times, we have to stand up for the kids who have the smallest voice and not throw them in with all the other students. We have to protect them."
If the plan goes forward and the students are moved from Washington School, Fayez promises to bring a lawsuit against the Saddle Brook Board of Education.
"This is a living budget. It has to be a living budget," Groveman said. "In the months to come we will look at every line over and over again to see if we can keep the kids in Washington School. This may or may not be a long term move but right now, in terms of the budget, this needed to happen. The community should know this is not over. Even after the budget vote on the 20th, this issue will not be put to rest."