PARSIPPANY — Correspondence from community members has recently been received concerning the recent waiver of Policy #2312. The rationale for waiving this district policy for the 2024-2025 school year deserves clarification. It is important to emphasize that there is no intention to “pack classrooms” with students. Current enrollment numbers indicate an overall average class size in the district’s elementary schools of 21.32 students, and the registration documentation as of this date does not suggest an influx of students at this time.
However, as the public knows, numerous “PILOT Building Projects” have been approved or are in the approval phase within the Township. Given this, the district has been discussing potential contingency plans for educating the significant number of additional students anticipated to enroll in the district once these PILOT projects open.
The district has been fiscally prudent with its funds, as evidenced by the ability to fund Phase I of a six-classroom building addition at Littleton Elementary School. This construction was budgeted without asking the taxpayers of Parsippany-Troy Hills for additional funds via a referendum. The intention is to continue saving for Phase II of the Littleton building addition, including another seven classrooms. This will result in thirteen additional classrooms without seeking additional money via referendum from the taxpayers; these classrooms can accommodate a maximum of 325 additional students. This achievement is particularly notable considering that the district cannot legally raise its operating budget by more than two percent, except for any banked cap that may be available. The public needs to understand that the two percent increase may include, among other recurring costs, raises of three or more percent a year for staff, health care premium cost increases of approximately nine to ten percent a year, district liability insurance premium cost increases of seven to eight percent, increased transportation costs, as well as building and district maintenance (e.g., roof replacements, HVAC replacements/fixes). Additionally, the district has managed to retain all district positions (i.e., administrators, teachers, secretaries, paraprofessionals, maintenance, custodians, bus drivers, bus aides, and non-affiliated staff members), while surrounding districts have been forced to eliminate staff due to the two-percent budget constraints.
While waiving the classroom size policy is not ideal, it was not abolished. It would not benefit the district to have a policy it cannot follow. In the interest of honesty and transparency, the policy waiver has been granted for the 2024-2025 school year, and it will be revisited at the start of the 2025-2026 school year. It should be noted that the portion of the policy that allows for hiring an aide for a classroom, grade level, or school to be recommended by the Superintendent has not been waived. The district has various classrooms that include one to two “shared paraprofessionals.” As the Board of Education and administration continue to address the issue of increased enrollment, all options will remain open for discussion, including a potential referendum.
Finally, any proceeds the Board of Education receives from these PILOTs are certainly appreciated. However, the continued annual expenses of funding these additional anticipated students—such as hiring extra staff and adding transportation routes—cannot be addressed by PILOT payments. These recurrent costs must ultimately be incorporated into the school district’s budget, which depends on the local tax base.
The Board of Education strives to secure a third meeting with the Mayor and the Township’s Business Administrator to discuss revenue sharing from these PILOT projects to house and support additional students properly. While a meeting has not yet been arranged, there is confidence that the Mayor will fulfill his commitment to meet with the Board for this purpose, leading to an arrangement that benefits both parties and does not adversely impact the taxpayers. Once a firm monetary commitment concerning revenue sharing is secured, the district will be in a better position to assess and update its plans.
If community members have ideas that could assist the district, especially regarding class size, funding additional classroom space, and hiring additional staff for these new classrooms, in light of the obligation to educate all students, the Board of Education and district leadership are happy to listen.
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