CAPE MAY — With low enrollment in kindergarten and first grade, the board of education discussed the possibility of combining classes at an Aug. 22 meeting, a move that would eliminate two teacher positions.
The board also discussed buy-outs for older teachers nearing retirement age who earn large salaries.
The school has 20 children enrolled to start kindergarten this fall. The children are split into two classes of 10, each with one teacher.
First grade has similar enrollment.
Superintendent Victoria Zelenak said the classes could be combined, but she wanted the board to look at “the big picture,” its effect on students and parents. She said she did not believe in making drastic cuts a week before the start of the school year.
Board member Sharon Lee Kustra suggested the board look at creative ways to meet the school’s economic needs such as a buy-out of senior teachers. She said teachers have approached board members with the idea.
Board President Linda Loughlin said a buy-out package offer has to be made to all teachers rather than specific teachers.
Board Solicitor Robert Fineberg suggested the board speak with its auditor to see if it would be financially beneficial to the school.
Business Administrator Terri Nowotony said school boards were not allowed to offer a retirement package but were able to offer incentives, as an example, to teachers with 15 years or more of service.
Loughlin said a study conducted by the board two years ago indicated buy-outs would not be cost effective for the school.
Board member Roberta Townsend asked, “where was that not cost effective,” if teachers who earned $80,000 per year plus benefits were bought out for $10,000 to $20,000?
Fineberg said a number of staff members would need to take the retirement incentive to make it worthwhile.
Kustra asked that the board’s auditor prepare an analysis.
Board member Ed Connolly said it sent a bad message to the public to eliminate two teacher’s jobs at the start of the school year.
“That’s not fair to the parents, the kids, or the teachers,” remarked board member Jack Lord.
“We didn’t see these kind of numbers two months ago for either of the two grades,” said board member Myra Kurkowski.
Loughlin promised facts would be gathered on teacher buyouts and presented at a future meeting. She said more Coast Guard children could arrive after the start of the school year.
Loughlin said going along with the current class set up for kindergarten and first grade would be the “least destructive.” She said an ebb and flow of students was normal for the school.
Townsend questioned why absenteeism was high for teachers at the school. Loughlin said it could be due to serious illness or family emergencies.
Kustra said, in the future, the board should look at enrollment figures for the school in June or July and not make staffing decisions in August.
Nowotony notified the board of an expenditure of $644 from its general fund because the school’s unemployment trust fund did not have sufficient funds to cover the June 2007 quarterly benefits. She said it was the first time it had happened.
The unemployment fund formerly had $20,000 to $30,000, said Nowotony. The fund comes from a deduction from employee’s checks.
Due to past layoffs of teachers and a custodian, the fund was depleted, she said.
The board voted to deny one kindergarten student approval to attend school in Lower Township under the Choice School Program. A fourth grade student was approved to attend in Lower Township.
Zelenak said Cape May Elementary’s policy on the Choice School Program was to allow only one student per grade to attend another school. She said the children were from the same family and wanted to attend the same school.
The motion passed but Townsend and Kurkowski cast negative votes.
The board approved an agreement for $44,504 to split the cost of sharing a speech therapist with the Lower Cape May Regional High School District. Board members Mark LeMunyon and Kurkowksi cast opposing votes.
