Montgomery Township Unions Slam Proposed Budget in Fiery Rebuke
March 20, 2025
By Nicholas Mistretta
MONTGOMERY, NJ – March 18, 2024 – Tensions ran high at the Montgomery Township Board of Education meeting on March 18 as two of the district’s unions, the Montgomery Township Education Association (MTEA) and the Association of Principals, Supervisors, and Management Team (APSMT), issued a forceful condemnation of the proposed budget. In a display of unity, union presidents Mike Razzoli (MTEA) and Jennifer Riddell (APSMT) delivered a scathing rebuke, calling on the board to reconsider its financial decisions and fully fund the district.
Riddell opened the joint statement by criticizing the board’s removal of the healthcare waiver, which she noted “would cost local households between $150 and $160 a year”. She warned that if such budgetary choices continue, the long-term impact on the district will be devastating. “It was not included last year,” she stated. “If this cycle continues, it will devastate the district and the student experience.” She urged the board to revisit the budget, ensuring that sufficient funds are allocated to maintain the quality of education.
Razzoli, representing the 600 members of the MTEA, followed with an impassioned plea, “The board has chosen to use the cap both last year and now this year he declared lambasting the board’s decision to leave $1.6 million out of the budget.
He did not mince words in criticizing the impact of these decisions. “I’ve never heard anyone in town say they want to cut positions, increase our class sizes, and have fewer educational programs just to save a few bucks”. Razzoli stated.
Inclusion of the Healthcare Waiver would add an additional $150.00 – $160.00 tax levy to the $324.20 already proposed in the preliminary budget.
With mounting frustration, he called on the board to take full advantage of available funds. “We cannot abide by the insanity any longer,” he said. “The MTEA leadership will not permit you to put your poor choices on the backs of our members. Budget to cap and utilize all of the funds.”
The board did not immediately respond to the unions’ demands and have until April 29th to file a final budget with the County.
To see entire BOE meeting click link. Next BOE meeting Tuesday, April 29.