Public concerned over declining student enrollment

SUSSEX BOROUGH — Questions of salary costs, hiring teachers, and cost per pupil arose during public comment at recent Sussex-Wantage school board meetings as the district's student population continues to decline.

At the district's June 23 school board meeting, Susan Langan asked the board to consider why three salary positions in the school business office equal $241,247 as student enrollment continues to decline.

Regarding the Summer Step Up program, Sueann Woolery asked, “Why are we increasing teachers if the student enrollment went down?”

Woolery is concerned because the Homework Club was eliminated last school year due to fewer enrolled students.

Superintendent Jeanne Apryasz responded, “If we do not have enough enrollment, some of the teachers [for the Summer Step Up Program] will not be hired.”

Woolery said, “I just don't want poor decision making here to affect the Homework Club during the winter and spring again.”

Bill Gettler at the May 20 meeting reported to the Sussex-Wantage School Board that from 2013-14 to 2015-16, the cost per pupil jumped 21.70 percent, $15,376 to $18,712, although the number of pupils decreased 9.42 percent, from 1,274 to 1,154.

Gettler said it was the worst financial management that he had ever seen, and “heads should roll.”

Thomas Card, board president, has not returned requests for comment.