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Paterson School District Cuts Spending on Custodian Services and Substitute Teachers Amid Financial Difficulties

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Faced with financial challenges, the Paterson Public Schools district appears to be cutting spending on custodian services and substitute teachers during the last two months of the current academic year. Principals at some city schools sent memos to their staffs warning that not all teacher absences for the rest of the year will be filled by substitutes, with other educators at the school being asked to cover the classes. Meanwhile, the company that provides custodial work for the district, ACB Services, has sent a letter warning its employees of impending layoffs due to budget reductions.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Paterson Public Schools district is facing financial difficulties, leading to spending cuts on custodian services and substitute teachers.
  • Principals at some city schools have sent memos warning that not all teacher absences for the rest of the year will be filled by substitutes, with other educators at the school being asked to cover the classes.
  • The company that provides custodial work for the district, ACB Services, has sent a letter warning its employees of impending layoffs due to budget reductions.
  • ACB Services will issue layoff notices to its employees on May 12, with the layoffs taking effect on May 19, 2025.
  • The school district's administration did not inform the Board of Education about the spending cuts, with Board member Corey Teague saying he first learned of the cuts on May 8 from a substitute teacher.
  • The cuts in custodian services have been met with surprise and concern from some school board members, who say it makes no sense to cut services when parents, staff, and students consistently complain about the cleanliness of facilities.

Statistics:

  • 50% reduction in the use of fill-in educators to cover teacher absences over the last two months of the 2024-25 school year.
  • May 5: Principals sent memos to their staffs warning about cuts in substitute teachers.
  • May 7: ACB Services sent a letter to its employees warning of impending layoffs due to budget reductions.
  • May 12: ACB Services will issue layoff notices to its employees.
  • May 19, 2025: Layoffs of custodian staff will take effect.

Sources:

  • Paterson Press: "Paterson school district appears to be cutting spending on custodian services and substitute teachers, principals warn staff"
  • ACB Services letter to employees: "Due to ongoing financial challenges, the district is facing budget reductions across multiple areas... there will be reduction in custodial staffing, effective May 19, 2025."
  • Interview with Corey Teague, Paterson Board of Education member
  • Interview with Kenneth Simmons, Paterson Board of Education member
  • Interview with Luis Velez, Paterson City Councilman
  • Interview with John McEntee Jr., head of the Paterson Education Association

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