Teacher of the year fired in Lincoln Park due to budget issues
SUBURBAN TRENDS
STAFF WRITER
The borough's school budget took a toll in the form of a very high attrition rate for its staff members, but one of the 25 that won't be coming back next year earned teacher of the year.
Middle School teacher Amanda Valente was awarded the Teacher of the Year for the middle school at the June 8 award ceremony. Due to the budget constraints from the fiscal crisis affecting New Jersey, Valente was among the 25 teachers fired.
The borough lost revenue from many sources this year, including $953,036 in state aid, which was a 46.74-percent loss from last year's state aid of $2,039,000. In addition, the BOE was unable to get the local teachers' union, the Lincoln Park Education Association (LPEA), to agree to any concessions, which LPEA president Matt Spencer previously said would have been "illegal" and "would only be enough to possibly save three to four positions."
Valente was one of the rising stars in the school district. She previously was one of the organizers that helped the Middle School children raise money for a soup
PHOTO BY SID JOHNSTON
Amanda Valente received the Teacher of the Year award for the middle school on June 8 from Superintendent of Schools James Grube and Board of Education President Perry Mayers. Valente won't be returning to the district next year, due to budget constraints.
The borough lost revenue from many sources this year, including $953,036 in state aid, which was a 46.74-percent loss from last year's state aid of $2,039,000. In addition, the BOE was unable to get the local teachers' union, the Lincoln Park Education Association (LPEA), to agree to any concessions, which LPEA president Matt Spencer previously said would have been "illegal" and "would only be enough to possibly save three to four positions."
Valente was one of the rising stars in the school district. She previously was one of the organizers that helped the Middle School children raise money for a soup