Hackensack Council To Vote on $6.5M Transfer To Stop Teacher Layoffs

Hackensack city leaders will vote Wednesday on a $6.5 million emergency transfer to the Board of Education. The money would prevent teacher layoffs during the 2025-26 school year. The special meeting comes after officials discovered a $17 million budget shortfall that could trigger mid-year staff cuts.

Hundreds of students might lose their classroom teachers during state testing and college admissions preparation without the funding. The proposal follows a Jan. 21 public meeting where students, parents, and educators spoke for more than three hours. They discussed how a mid-year disruption would affect them.

City officials said the Mayor and Council believe students should not "pay the price" for financial issues they did not create.

"While it is unfortunate that our community has to grapple with this news, the Board is encouraged and thankful that the City Council is helping our schools during this unprecedented time of need," said Board of Education President Jennifer Harris, according to Daily Voice.

The emergency transfer will protect taxpayers by avoiding the appointment of a state monitor, which officials say could cost up to $208,000 per year. City leaders also want to prevent the need for a public referendum to address the deficit.

A recent audit showed years of fiscal mismanagement within the school district. The review found unbudgeted hiring. It also found revenue losses tied to changes in sending-receiving relationships as well as the approval of tax exemptions for developments that increased student enrollment without contributing to education costs.

The current Board of Education is pursuing legal action against suspended Superintendent Thomas McBryde Jr. and former Business Administrator Lydia Singh. Officials allege both contributed to the shortfall.

Officials stressed that the $6.5 million transfer is a temporary measure. It's designed to stabilize operations while longer-term cost-saving measures are developed with oversight from the New Jersey Department of Education.

Both the City Council and the Board of Education must vote to approve the plan before it can move forward. The City Council special meeting is scheduled for 5 p.m. Wednesday at City Hall. The Board of Education will meet at 6:15 p.m. in the high school auditorium.