Little Egg Harbor Cuts 81 School Support Staff

Our community is grappling with a controversial decision that has left parents, educators, and support staff deeply concerned about the future of classroom assistance for students who need it most.

In March 2026, the Little Egg Harbor Township School District board voted to eliminate 81 full-time paraprofessional and pre-school teaching assistant positions for the upcoming school year. The plan calls for replacing these full-time roles with part-time positions, requiring current employees to reapply if they wish to continue working in the district.

The decision has sparked fierce opposition from those who work directly with students every day. Paraprofessional Denise DeVito expressed the shock felt by many of her colleagues: "We were all very blindsided. The children will be greatly affected by not having the consistency of us there."

Community Voices Concerns

On Tuesday, a budget meeting turned into an emotional forum as parents and district staff members voiced their frustrations. The primary concern centers on special education students, who many believe will bear the brunt of reduced support services.

Parent Brittney Kalinowski captured the sentiment of many community members when she said, "You're losing the extra care that they need. It's absolutely insane for many reasons."

The worry extends beyond individual families to encompass broader questions about educational equity and the support systems that help struggling students succeed. Paraprofessionals and teaching assistants often provide one-on-one attention, behavioral support, and specialized assistance that can make the difference between a student thriving or falling behind.

District Cites Financial Pressures

School board officials acknowledge the difficulty of their decision but maintain it's necessary to address significant financial challenges. The district faces a nearly 33% spike in healthcare costs, a burden that's forcing difficult choices about staffing and resources.

District leaders emphasized that Little Egg Harbor isn't alone in confronting these pressures. School districts across New Jersey are wrestling with similar budget constraints as costs rise faster than available funding.

Officials insist that student services will continue at the same level under the restructured staffing plan, though skepticism remains high among parents and staff who work directly with children daily.

Legal Challenge Looms

The controversy may be far from over. A union representative told the school board that abolishing these full-time positions violates legal requirements and promised to challenge the decision through appropriate channels.

In response, the board president indicated openness to negotiating with the union, suggesting there may be room for dialogue and potential compromise as the situation develops.

As our community moves forward, the tension between fiscal responsibility and educational quality remains at the forefront. The coming months will reveal whether a solution can be found that addresses both the district's financial needs and the concerns of families who depend on consistent, dedicated support for their children.