Schools

Mayor Says School District 'Under Attack'

Board of School estimate meeting disrupted by "11th hour" budget numbers.

Superintendent of Schools Dr. Nathan Parker did not reveal any specific details Thursday evening on where more than $2 million in lost state aid will come from.

"I've been doing this for a long time," Parker said, citing his more than 30 years working in the central office of a district as either an assistant superintendent or as the superintendent. "I've never quite seen this happen."

The state Department of Education announced Wednesday that—because of budget cuts to reduce a looming deficit—Summit Public Schools were one of 59 districts statewide that would receive no state aid for the upcoming fiscal year.

Find out what's happening in Summitwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

"This is, as mayor of a community, extremely upsetting to me," said Mayor Jordan Glatt. "I feel like I don't remember a time in Summit history where I felt the schools were such under attack than they are in this budget."

Despite the loss of state aid, Parker said the goal is to still keep the budget at a level where it can be paid for by raising taxes by no more than 4 percent.

Find out what's happening in Summitwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

"We're going to lose programming in some shape or form," he said. "But we're going to try to minimize it as much as we can so we can concentrate on our focus areas."

Councilman Tom Getzendanner made two main suggestions Thursday night to help the district close the budget. He suggested first considering alternate revenue streams, such as charging families for pre-kindergarten and kindergarten enrollment, and refusing to adhere to state mandates now that the district will receive no state aid.

"I really think we have to be bold," he said. "It's time for unilateral activity. No state aid, then it's a two-way street."

Summit Educational Foundation President Nora Radest strongly urged the board of school estimate to not "slash and burn" the budget.

"There are 3,900 students in the schools. They are counting on you," she said. "They don't vote but they are counting on you."


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