Don't Cut Our Paraprofessionals, Lacey Residents Urge School Board

LACEY, NJ — Employees, students and residents urged the Lacey Township Board of Education to reconsider proposed reductions to full-time paraprofessional and health aide positions during public comment at a recent meeting.

Several speakers said the proposed changes would affect employees’ benefits, student support and school operations. In comments later in the meeting, Acting Superintendent William Zylinski said the district faces difficult budget choices and that one decision includes reducing full-time paraprofessional and health aide positions.

READ MORE: Taxes Up, But Core Programs Remain In Proposed Lacey Schools Budget

Karen Knapp, who said she has lived in Lanoka Harbor for 32 years and worked in the district for 26 years, asked the board to reconsider “letting go of the full-time paras.” Knapp said there are 25 full-time paraprofessionals left in the district and that some are not eligible for retirement.

“It’s only fair that you allow this handful of full-time paraprofessionals to continue working full-time capacity,” she said.

Knapp also said, “We were told we are being eliminated because of our benefits because benefits are getting too expensive. It’s not sustainable.” She asked the board to “please re-evaluate keeping us full-time paras.”

Student speakers also addressed the board. Tatiana, who identified herself as student government president speaking as a student representative, said, “First, we cannot afford to lose or weaken essential support systems, especially for students with IEPs and additional needs.”

“At the end of the day, we are not just numbers in a budget. We are students who rely on the system every day,” she added.

Cooper, who said he is the senior class president at Lacey Township High School and a student representative to the board, said district staff members are “some of the most passionate, dedicated, and motivated individuals I have ever met in my life.”

He criticized the proposed budget, saying, “What is currently being proposed in the current budget is a slap in the face to not just faculty members, but to students and families as well.”

Trish Mooney, the health secretary at Mill Pond, said the health office handled 1,300 student visits in one month.

“Health secretaries are not optional. We are an essential. We are essential to the safe and effective operation of our schools,” she said. Mooney said cutting a full-time health secretary would reduce support for nurses and students.

Lacey Township Education Association President Michael Ryan said he was speaking against “the proposed cuts to full-time paraprofessionals and health aids in our schools.”

“These positions are not extras. They are essential members of our educational team who help our students succeed every single day,” he said.

“Developing a balanced budget this year required a number of very difficult decisions as they have in the previous eight or nine seasons,” Zylinski said. “One of those decisions includes reducing full-time paraprofessionals and health aide positions.”

He said the district understands the effect of the decision, “particularly when it comes to the benefits,” and said district leaders remain committed to maintaining meaningful roles for paraprofessionals and health aides.