Hundreds of Montclair educators, nurses, aides, coaches and other school staff donned tee shirts proudly on Monday night for the board of education meeting. Printed on the front, the words “Montclair Education Association” sent a clear union message to anyone looking out upon the sea of white.

And on the back, a powerful message mirrored these union members’ allegiance to the MEA with a more personal one – “I care about your kids”.

With their backs literally against the wall, it seemed fitting to see the backs of the tee shirts proclaim the emotional message.

But the district, try as it may, cannot wave a magic wand and make the recession – or depression – go away.

The sheer weight of the state cuts to school aid, coupled with a loss of revenue, has clearly pointed the way down the bumpy path of cutbacks to programs and layoffs.

As districts throughout the state –and the nation – have discovered, fiscal health may not only need a shot in the arm from an economical point of view. It might also need a diet.

With their school budget tightened in a vise, the district of Scarsdale New York took dramatic steps – with success – and asked their teacher’s union to reopen their contract, in order to save co-workers jobs and school programs.

In Montclair last week, the board of ed passed a resolution asking for the same consideration.

But the appeal to the MEA seems to have been overshadowed by the method in which it was proposed – read from handwritten notes taken during what was most likely a stressful and emotional meeting in executive session during the boe meeting last week.

Dennis Murray, the head of the MEA, said he was not happy with the question, or the manner in which it was asked.

“They did not give us a heads up that they were going t ask to reopen our contract,” he said, before the meeting Monday night. “We want to try to figure out a way to preserve as many jobs as possible.”

During the public comments section of the meeting, after the boe budget and the capital budget were introduced with details, Murray said “I have listened intently and quite frankly, I am still offended.”

All offenses aside, business manager Dana Sullivan presented a crisp, straightforward view of the numbers that have become a sledgehammer in the district.

After the February 11th cuts announced by Governor Chris Christie, keeping the school levy at 1 percent became impossible.

Now, looking at future cuts expected to be at 15 percent, jobs and programs will also be victims of the state aid cuts.

The new tax levy, even with cuts and layoffs, will be 2.9 percent – if Christie does not lower the cap from 4 to 2 percent and if the district gets only a 15 percent reduction in state aid.

For now, until that March 16 budget speech by Christie, the scenario that may stick for the district budget includes reductions to the budget of approximately $4.8 million.

If the aid is reduced more, which is a possibility, or if the cap is lowered, which is a possibility; there will be more cuts and layoffs.

For now, total cuts in current programs and services total over $5.1 million.

For the first time in 2 decades, the operating budget for the district has been cut by $410,000.

The school tax levy, at an expected 2.9 percent, will be the lowest tax increase in 11 years.

On average, a homeowner in Montclair would have to pay $247 more for taxes for their school levy portion of their tax bill.

Staff Positions: 60.7 people will lose jobs, from across the board in all buildings.

Central Office: 5.2 staff reductions in administration, support staff, buildings and grounds/maintenance; and other items.

Special Education: 3 staff reductions, and more possible since the special ed department may be restructured.

Elementary Schools: 33.1 staff positions reduced in:

……World Language

…….Curriculum support

…….Related Arts

……. Librarians

……..ESL

……..Student Assistance counselors

……...Instructional Aides

Also involved are curriculum and subject matters leaders; writers room paid coordinators; tutoring/after school programs/ non mandated and community programs; supplies and materials outside of per pupil budget.

Middle Schools: 12.9 staff reductions in librarians, core subject teachers, nurses, security, related arts, instructional aides, after school programs, summer programs, writers room paid coordinators, use of non district owned facilities, subject matter and curriculum leaders, summer scheduling and non mandated and community programs.

Reductions to High school: 6.5 staff reductions in core subject teachers; support staff; administration; security; writers room paid coordinators; athletics and activities; summer programs an non mandated an community programs.

With so many jobs and programs in crisis, and the long history of a positive relationship between the MEA and the board of education, let’s hope things get worked out somehow.

If Scarsdale can go on a fiscal diet – saving jobs and programs, perhaps the teachers union can find a way to follow suit – even without reopening their contract.

Updates will follow.