Let school board cut administrative jobs

The East Brunswick Board of Education has told us a nice story about how it is saving us money, and that is all well and good, but it's an election year so let's dig a little deeper.

How is the board accomplishing this Herculean task and why would a Special Education Parent Teacher Association (SEPTA) family care as long as it saves money? Unfortunately, the main way the board is saving money is by cutting jobs. Administration jobs? Not likely. Special education? Oh, yes. Special education is losing three teachers.

Now according to the board, nobody really needs those teachers because the numbers say we have the right ratio. But wait just a second there. I wondered why my autistic son's class had not only doubled in size but had also been melded with another grade level, all in the same room. I'd like to say that the extra children did not make a difference at all in the quality of education my son has been receiving, but I cannot. I think the smaller class size was better. I know that there are numerous studies that show that exact fact.

I know I am a bit prejudiced toward special-education youngsters because I have one, but let's be fair after zero administrators were sacrificed and three specialeducation teachers were. So let me suggest a trade. The child-nutrition department has added a brand new administrative person this year, so as the saying goes, last in first out. Let the board abolish the administrative job and bring back an equivalent in the special-education program. After all, the administrators feel our pain and want to be fair, don't they?
Martin Spielman
East Brunswick