Lydia Maguire 
If you’ve been following the Montclair Public Schools budget crisis and feel confused, you’re not alone. Updates have come in waves, and some of the most important details are tucked into board packets, agendas, and minutes that most people do not have time to review thoroughly. To make it easier to track what happened and when, we reviewed Board of Education agendas and minutes, as well as public announcements, and recorded videos of meetings. We also pulled the most relevant, parent-facing milestones from the past year. Read on for a timeline of Montclair Public Schools’ budget and fiscal actions (BOE record + major public updates) from the past year.
The Backstory
The Montclair Public School System faces a nearly $20 million budget shortfall, according to officials. Despite ongoing efforts to communicate transparently with residents and explore possible solutions, Superintendent Ruth B. Turner issued a warning in early October that the district could run out of funds by mid-December if immediate action were not taken. Over 100 teachers were laid off and over 30 student clubs were cut.
At the same time, a proposed voter referendum on how to fund the budget gap was struck down by a judge, saying that the wording was too confusing. Now, the referendum vote will be held on March 10th, 2026. The BOE held its first meeting of the year on January 5th, 2026. The Board approved two ballot questions that will appear on the March referendum.
Additional Spending Proposal Question 1 would raise $12,600,000 for the 2025–2026 school year to address a prior-year deficit from the 2024–2025 school year. Approval would result in a one-time increase to the district’s tax levy.
If approved, these funds would be used to pay outstanding debts and obligations. This increase would be non-recurring and would not be built into the base tax levy used to calculate future tax increases.
Additional Spending Proposal Question 2 would raise $5,000,000 for the 2025–2026 school year to support general fund operating expenses. Approval would result in a permanent increase to the district’s tax levy.
If approved, these funds would be used to reduce the impact of reductions in force among teaching, security, and support staff; address ongoing maintenance needs; and mitigate cuts to athletics, co-curricular, and extracurricular programs. This increase would be built into the base tax levy for future years.
In a message to parents, Superintendent Turner shared the following statement. “While a forensic audit is not referenced in Question 2, the Board of Education and administration intend to include funding for a forensic audit as part of the proposed 2026–2027 budget. This work is an important component of strengthening oversight, accountability, and long-term financial planning, and it will be addressed through the regular budget development process.”
The district will hold two town halls on the 2026-2027 budget in January. The first will be in person on January 13 at Glenfield Middle School at 6PM. The other is planned for January 24 and will take place online at 11AM
The Timeline
May 13, 2024 – Board approves routine finance items and makes the standard “funds available” certification
In the May 13 meeting minutes, the Board approved appropriation transfers and adopted the standard “Budgetary Major Account/Fund Status Certificate,” certifying that no major account/fund had been overexpended and that sufficient funds were available for the remainder of the fiscal year. Source: BOE-Agenda-2024-061724-051324M
June 17, 2024 – Business Administrator merit goals approved
There is a line item approving the “Quantitative Merit Goals of the Business Administrator for the 2023-2024 Year” which was later reported that this was approved to honor then-Business Administrator, Christina Hunt’s, contractual performance bonus of $19,527.65 (roughly 3.33% of her base salary, which at the time was $195,472). Source: BOE-Agenda-2024-061724-Addendum
June 30, 2024 – Year-end audit reflects major unrestricted deficit
A December 2024 audit covering the fiscal year ending June 30, 2024, reflects a reported $24.9 million “unrestricted” deficit. Source: SCHOOL DISTRICT OF THE TOWNSHIP OF MONTCLAIR
October 16, 2024 – BOE minutes describe internal controls as “sufficient to avoid errors and fraud.”
In the minutes, the Board records adopting internal accounting controls and purchasing/claims controls described as “sufficient to avoid errors and fraud…” Source: BOE-Agenda-2024-111824-101624M
Read more: 30+ Spots That Opened in Montclair + Essex County in 2025
2025
February 19, 2025 – Routine finance approvals + a key “all is well” certification.
At this meeting, the BOE agenda includes approvals for January 2025 appropriation transfers and the S1701 transfer report. It also includes a “Budgetary Major Account/Fund Status Certificate,” certifying that no major account/fund has been overexpended and that “sufficient funds are available” for the remainder of the fiscal year. Source: BOE-Agenda-2025-021925.pdf
March 17, 2025 to May 14, 2025 – Budget timeline for 2025–2026 (as spelled out in the BOE resolution)
The May 14 resolution lays out the formal steps for the 2025–2026 budget process:
- March 17, 2025: BOE adopts a preliminary budget
- April 19, 2025: Executive County Superintendent approves the preliminary budget
- April 28, 2025: Preliminary budget advertised via public legal notice (the resolution references the Herald News)
- May 7, 2025: Public hearing held
- May 14, 2025: BOE adopts the final 2025–2026 budget of $170.2 million, with a 5.6% school tax levy increase
Source: BOE-Agenda-2025-051425 (amended)
June 4, 2025 – School Business Administrator Christina Hunt resigns
Hunt led the school business office from July 2022 to June 2025. Source: BOE-Agenda-2025-060425-Personnel Addendum (Amended).pdf
July 1, 2025 – Superintendent Ruth Turner and Interim Business Administrator Dana Sullivan join MPS
July 31, 2025 – District announces an $11 million deficit tied to unpaid bills and past due notices
Turner and Sullivan announce an $11 million deficit, described as an initial finding with more review ongoing. Breakdown cited includes:
- $4.5M owed to Essex Regional Educational Services Commission
- $2.3M teacher salaries
- $1.4M employee benefits
- $1.2M custodial services and utilities
- $546K out-of-district tuition
- $447K paraprofessional services
- $197K child study team payments
September 26, 2025 – Turner and Sullivan Address Deficit of Now $19.6 million in a Town Hall
At a town hall, the district reports the financial picture has worsened: Dana Sullivan outlines $12.6M in unbudgeted expenditures for 2024–2025 and $7M in unbudgeted expenditures in 2025–2026. Turner also describes internal control concerns and says new checks and balances have been implemented.
October 7, 2025 – BOE sets a Special School Election for December 9, 2025 and approves ballot questions.
BOE sets the date of the special election with two ballot questions and approves a resolution to seek aid from the state.
Source: BOE-Agenda-2025-100725 Special Meeting.pdf
October 17, 2025 – Proposed budget and staffing cuts announced
October 22, 2025 – Staff notices issued
153 total notices are sent out: 98 termination notices, 5 RIF (Reduction-In-Force), and 50 reassignments, with 103 terminations total referenced.
October 27, 2025 – BOE approves termination notices and reassignments
Source: BOE-Agenda-2025-102725 Human Resources (Amended).pdf
See more: New Jersey Lawmakers Propose Tax Breaks to Save New Jersey Diners
November 21, 2025 – First lawsuit filed challenging the referendum questions
Filed by Montclair resident Carl J. Kraus, alleging the questions were confusing/misleading.
Week of November 24, 2025 – Second lawsuit filed challenging the ballot questions
David Herron
December 2, 2025 – Judge halts the December 9 referendum
Superior Court Judge Robert H. Gardner throws out the referendum because of convoluted ballot questions after two resident lawsuits.
December 5, 2025 – School Principals send letters to families confirming cuts
Source: See letter from Dr. Putrino
December 15, 2025 – 19 positions reinstated
19 positions reinstated due to state aid being advanced in one lump sum (instead of monthly), plus a few reinstatements to meet state-mandated requirements (e.g., attendance officer, Mandarin teacher).
December 17, 2025 – District warns it could be $25 million over cap through 2029–2030
During the BOE meeting, Dana Sullivan warns that “…we cannot continue at the rate we are spending without making reductions year after year.”
2026
January 5, 2026
BOE approves revised ballot questions and calls for special referendum on March 10th
The January 5 resolution calls a Special School Election for March 10, 2026 and includes the revised ballot language. Key differences from the dismissed December 9th ballot are:
- Question 1: $12.6 million (one-time, non-recurring) to pay prior-year outstanding debts/obligations
- Question 2: $5 million (permanent levy increase) for operating expenses, including mitigating cuts and ongoing maintenance (previously it was $7.6 million)
- Forensic Audit is removed from the ballot and Ruth Turner said in the meeting it would be included in the 2026/27 budget
Source:BOE-Agenda-2026-010526 Reorganzation.pdf
March 10, 2026
New voter referendum date
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