helping-former Hackensack and Montclair School Board employees

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Neighbors-helping-Neighbors (NhN) mobilized a rapid‑response effort to support the Hackensack and Montclair communities when urgent needs arose. Drawing on our network of volunteers, partners, and local leaders, we moved quickly to deliver hands‑on assistance, essential resources, and compassionate support to residents facing sudden challenges. This page highlights how NhN stepped up in real time—working side‑by‑side with the community to ensure no one was left without help when it mattered most.

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Volunteer Meeting Leaders:
Diana Bermudez-Director of Operations & Business Development at The Engagement Ed Corp

​Latest news on situation

Hackensack BOE Hires New Financial Consultant Following $17M Budget Shortfall

Support for Laid‑Off Hackensack School District Workers
Below is a clear summary of the most relevant and recent developments.

1. The Most Significant Support Measure: Proposed City Rescue PlanThe clearest and most concrete form of support comes from a proposed emergency intervention by the City of Hackensack.

Hackensack City Council’s Emergency $6.5 Million Rescue Plan

• The Hackensack City Council has scheduled a vote on a $6.5 million emergency transfer to the Board of Education.
• The city’s stated goal is to stop the immediate firing of nearly 100 teachers and staff by stabilizing the district’s budget long enough to avoid or reduce layoffs. [theridgewoodblog.net]

This is the only directly reported support effort aimed specifically at protecting or restoring the jobs of the affected employees.

2. Community Advocacy and Public Pressure
While not “formal support,” community action plays a major role.
What’s happening:

• Teachers, parents, and students have been publicly demanding protection for staff and calling for accountability over the district’s mismanaged finances. [pix11.com]
• Many community speakers have pushed board leadership to cut administrative costs before laying off staff, emphasizing the need to protect classrooms.

This social pressure has been influencing decision‑making at meetings but does not constitute direct material assistance yet.

3. No Official District‑Run Support Programs Announced (Yet)
The search did not reveal:

• District‑run severance programs
• Job transition assistance
• Reassignment or recall plans
• Union‑negotiated protections specific to Hackensack’s layoffs

None of the Hackensack Public Schools HR materials currently list worker‑support programs related to the layoff event.

4. General Resources for Laid‑Off Workers (Not Hackensack‑Specific)

For affected workers seeking support outside the district, the following government programs remain available:
Federal Dislocated Worker Services

• The U.S. Department of Labor provides job training, placement, and transition help for laid‑off workers. [dol.gov]

Union Assistance Programs (if employees are members)

• SEIU 1199 and other unions offer benefits such as continued health coverage and supplemental unemployment support (dependent on the employee’s membership and contract). [1199seiubenefits.org]

These are general support options, not specific to the Hackensack layoffs.

Summary
Here’s the bottom line of what the latest reporting shows:

• The primary and most significant support effort for laid‑off Hackensack school workers is the proposed $6.5M emergency city rescue plan, intended to prevent or reverse layoffs. [theridgewoodblog.net]
• There are no confirmed district‑level support programs for displaced workers as of the latest news.
• Laid‑off employees can access federal and union assistance, but these programs are standard—not unique to Hackensack.

If you’d like, I can also:

• Track updates on the January 28 vote
• Create a simplified infographic summarizing available support
• Provide contact points for state worker‑assistance programs

Job opportunities in and around Bergen County for teachers being laid off from Hackensack Public Schools, including NYC public schools and charter schools.
Below is a consolidated, easy‑to‑use list of current hiring sources and active job listings, based on the search results found. [njschooljobs.com], [nj.gov], [indeed.com], [bergen.org], [Bergen Cou…chool Jobs], [applitrack.com]

1. Bergen County Teaching Job Boards & DistrictsThese sites list active openings across all Bergen County public districts, many of which hire year‑round.

NJSCHOOLJOBS – Bergen County ListingsRegularly updated with certified teaching roles (Spanish, Biology, Chemistry, etc.).
Examples currently listed:

• High School Spanish Teacher – Saddle Brook
• Teacher of Biology – Bergen County Technical Schools
• Chemistry Teacher – Carlstadt-East Rutherford
  Link: https://www.njschooljobs.com/page/bergen-county-teaching-jobs [njschooljobs.com]

NJ Department of Education – County-by-County OpeningsIncludes district and charter school opportunities across Bergen County and surrounding areas.
Link: https://www.nj.gov/education/careers/leavacancies/ [nj.gov]

NJ Public School Jobs – Bergen CountyDirect links to each Bergen County district’s hiring portal (APPLITRACK).
Includes: Hackensack, Teaneck, Englewood, Paramus, Ridgewood, Fair Lawn, etc.
Link: http://www.njpublicschooljobs.com/bergen-county/ [Bergen Cou…chool Jobs]

2. Hackensack Public Schools (Your Home District)If layoffs are phased or partial, new postings still come online.
Their official hiring portal:
Link: https://www.applitrack.com/hackensack/onlineapp/default.aspx [applitrack.com]

3. NYC Public School Teaching OpportunitiesNYC is actively hiring, especially in shortage areas (STEM, special ed, bilingual).

NYC Department of Education (NYC DOE) CareersUse this portal to apply for:
• Full-time teaching roles
• Substitute positions
• Transfer opportunities
(Found via broader teaching‑jobs search resources.)
Link: https://www.schools.nyc.gov/careers/teachers [indeed.com]

4. Charter School Jobs (NYC + Northern NJ)Charter networks often hire aggressively and accept out-of-district teachers.

Indeed – Charter School Jobs in Bergen County / NYC MetroListings include:
• Achievement First (NYC) – Afterschool & academic roles
• North Star Academy (Newark) – Operations & instructional roles
• MPTCS (Newark) – Educator positions
• SUNY-authorized Charter Schools – Evaluator roles (NYC)
Link: https://www.indeed.com/q-Charter-School-l-Bergen-County,-NJ-jobs.html [indeed.com]

Bergen Arts & Science Charter SchoolListed in NJ DOE directory. [nj.gov]

Charter Networks Nearby to Apply To:(You can search each directly)

• Success Academy (NYC)
• KIPP NJ (Newark)
• Uncommon Schools (NYC/NJ)
• Brilla, Ascend, Public Prep, and more (NYC)

5. Bergen County Technical Schools & Special ServicesThese systems hire year-round and frequently have openings in CTE, academic, and support roles.
Bergen County Technical Schools (actively hiring)Employment portal: https://www.bergen.org/Page/4506 [njschooljobs.com]

Current reporting shows about layoffs in the Hackensack and Montclair school districts in New Jersey resulting from major and largely unforeseen budget crises:

Hackensack School District
Multiple credible news sources consistently report that Hackensack is facing a $17 million budget deficit, which has led district leadership to plan approximately 90 layoffs.

Key figures:

• Up to 90 full‑time staff positions may be eliminated to address the deficit. [cbsnews.com], [nbcnewyork.com], [northjersey.com]
• These include teachers, support staff, and other district roles.

Cause:

• Financial mismanagement discovered during an audit.
• Loss of state COVID‑relief funds.
• Staffing lists missing dozens of employees and related salary costs.
• Rising health insurance premiums. [cbsnews.com]

Montclair School District
Montclair is facing an even larger shortfall--a $19.6 million budget deficit—and has issued widespread layoff notices.

Key figures:

• More than 100 employees have received termination or reduction‑in‑force notices. [themontclairgirl.com]
• 103 staff members were formally laid off or affected by RIF notices. [patch.com]
• Other reports state the number could exceed 150 job cuts depending on tax‑levy outcomes. [msn.com]

Cause:

• Years of overspending and weak financial oversight.
• Millions in unpaid invoices and mismanaged accounts.
• The deficit nearly doubled within months. [themontclairgirl.com]

hackensackschools.org/board-members

Editor
​Meagan Kane
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