The crowd protested and chanted, pleaded, and shed a few tears hoping to convince the Camden school district to reconsider a restructuring plan that would cut 100 jobs.
But after an emotional public hearing Tuesday night, Superintendent Alfonso Q. Llano moved forward with a plan to eliminate the positions, effective June 30. He approved a $476.9 million budget for the 2026-27 school year that includes a slight property tax increase.
“This work is difficult, but it’s necessary,” Llano said about the restructuring, first reported Monday by The Inquirer.
He said 75 employees in the central office would lose their jobs, while 26 would be reassigned elsewhere in the district. There are 49 employees who will not be able to fall into other positions, he said.
“My heart is broken,” said Marlene Coleman, a longtime employee who pleaded with Llano to allow her to work until December in order to leave with full retirement benefits. There was no public response.
All central office staffers, including the district’s affirmative action officer and transportation director, received layoff notices. Some employees could reapply for jobs and be rehired, but the district shared few details about those plans. Llano said the district plans to announce newly defined positions on its website by May 11.
There were still many unanswered questions about the cuts after the meeting. The district has not disclosed a specific deficit amount or the savings expected from the restructuring. A list was not provided of positions that are being eliminated.
Potential impact to food services
Arlethia Brown, the school nutrition director, was among those who received a layoff notice. She said her entire department of seven employees was being let go. The program coordinates distributing breakfast, lunch, and dinner to about 7,000 students, she said.
During the pandemic, her department distributed meals at schools and delivered food to homes, Brown said.
There was speculation at Tuesday’s meeting that the district would move to privatize its food service, but district leaders did not share their plans. The meals are currently provided by a vendor. Brown said some federal programs for at-risk students, such as a summer feeding and dinner, must be administered by the district.
In addition to the district schools, Brown said the school nutrition program also serves charter schools, Renaissance schools Camden Prep and Mastery, and Urban Promise, a private school. All of the district’s students qualify for free meals.
“Our kitchen and cafeterias matter,” Brown told the board. “Food is not separate from education.”
Llano and district officials cited budget constraints, declining enrollment with more students fleeing to charter and Renaissance schools, and a need to align central office positions with state requirements.
Protests against layoffs
News about the cuts began leaking last week after the district began notifying employees in its main office and schools. They include clerks, teachers, and veteran administrations.
Camden Education Association President Pamela Clark said the union was notified that two dozen members would be affected. The union initially was told only positions in the main office were targeted, she said.
Clark and union members wearing red protest T-shirts and waving signs held a rally outside the budget hearing. They chanted “Don’t be a butt, stop the cuts.”
“You’re undermining the education system,” Clark said. “Here we go again.”
In a massive layoff last year, the district cut 117 jobs. Many were rank-and-file members, teachers, security officers, clerks, and custodians a well as senior managers and directors.
During the budget presentation Tuesday night, interim business administrator Margaret McDonnell outlined a bleak financial picture for the district. She made a similar presentation when the budget was introduced in March.
“We’re not cutting anymore. We’re down to the muscle and the fat,” said former board member Jose E. Delgado. “There is no money.”
Instead of worrying about an upcoming AP exam, Creative Arts High School student Kauthar Sumayyah Calvente said she was worried about the budget cuts.
Calvente said her mother, who is employed by the district as a family and operations coordinator, had been laid off for the second straight year. She was rehired after her position was eliminated in last year’s budget cuts.
“From a student perspective, this is stressful beyond measure,” Calvente said. “How does this put students first?”
A group of school nurses appealed to save the job of Renee Wickersty, the district’s health service supervisor who oversees a team of 20 nurses. Wickersty was not present.
The nurses said Wickersty plays a critical role, helping them keep more than 5,000 students medically safe. They help students manage conditions like diabetes and asthma as well as their mental health, they said.
“These are our children,” said Robin Cogan, an early childhood school nurse.
School board members listened intently to the passionate appeals. Because Camden has been operating under a state takeover since 2013, the board serves in an advisory capacity with no authority. Decisions rest solely with Llano.
“This is a tragedy, not an accident,” Delgado said, referring to the aftermath following the takeover.
A proposed tax hike
The local tax levy will increase slightly under an agreement between the city and the district, McDonnell said. About $17.1 million will be generated from taxes. The district had wanted to raise $17.7 million, but agreed to lower that, she said.
Annual property takes will increase by $20.53 to $561 on a property assessed at the city average of $57,700, McDonnell said. The district must certify the tax levy by May 14.