Englewood School Board Approves ‘Very Painful’ Budget: 54 Staff Positions Eliminated for 2026-27
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Englewood NJ, The Englewood Board of Education finalized a highly controversial and emotional budget at its latest meeting on May 14, voting to eliminate 54 staff positions for the upcoming 2026-27 school year.
The sweeping cuts come on the heels of a newly approved $86.4 million school budget that includes a 5.7% property tax levy increase for Englewood residents. While board officials insist the reductions were unavoidable due to historic financial deficits, an outpouring of parents, teachers, and administrators warn that the decision will fundamentally harm the quality of education and student safety.
Why Is the Englewood School District Facing a Deficit?
Board President David Matthews described the staff cuts as “very painful” but mathematically mandatory. According to Matthews, the district was hit by a severe financial storm driven by two primary factors:
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A $1.8 million loss in state School Choice aid.
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A staggering 31% spike in employee health benefit costs.
Matthews defended the 5.7% tax hike, noting that without it, the classroom cuts would have been even more catastrophic.
“There’s just no way of getting around it,” Matthews stated during the meeting. “Numbers don’t lie. Two plus two has to equal four.”
While the public agenda did not explicitly list which exact teaching or support roles are on the chopping block, board leadership expressed a faint hope that a few affected staff members might be recalled if funding shifts before September.
Parents and Staff React: “Children Should Not Carry the Burden”
The public comment portion of the meeting grew tense as community members voiced heartbreak and frustration. Parents argued that stripping schools of familiar educators would disrupt student development and stretch remaining classroom resources to a breaking point.
“My son deserves an environment where he can continue to move forward academically, not one where he may lose momentum because resources are stretched too thin,” shared Englewood parent Teana Harvey, whose son’s teacher is among those being laid off. “Children should not carry the burden of those decisions through reduced educational quality.”
Board Rejects Massive Reassignments and Administrator Contract
In a surprising twist, the board rejected two other major agenda items following heavy pushback from district employees.
1. The Consolidation Plan Fails
The board voted down a measure to reclassify and reassign 10 specific staff members. Part of this rejected plan involved consolidating administrative oversight so deeply that a single employee would have been stretched to supervise all four schools in the district.
Interim Janis E. Dismus Middle School Principal Laura Mathieu, who was slated to be demoted to a high school vice principal under the plan, spoke out fiercely against the consolidation:
“Administration is not excess,” Mathieu said. “Administration is the operational backbone that keeps schools safe, compliant, organized and accountable.”
2. Assistant Superintendent Contract Voted Down
The board also blocked a proposed contract that would have awarded a $203,390 salary to Assistant Superintendent Laura Scamardella.
Board member Elease Wiggins, who voted against the cuts, reassignments, and the administrator contract, emphasized the need to restore transparency and trust within the municipality. “I want the public to be heard,” Wiggins said. “I don’t ever want the public to think that I’m a part of a board that does not respect the parents in the community.”
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how many teachers? How many administrators?
we’re going to lose new residents if schools slip. Then who pays the increased taxes?
how many teachers? How many administrators?
we’re going to lose new residents if schools slip. Then who pays the increased taxes?