LACEY, NJ — While the Lacey Township School District isn’t losing as much money as originally thought, there are still cuts to be made. These cuts include 39 non-tenured positions, and one of those teachers is particularly beloved.
Several current middle schoolers took to the podium at the latest Board of Education meeting to protest the cut of Mill Pond School music teacher Joseph Brausam.
READ MORE: What’s Staying, What’s Cut In 2023 Lacey School District Budget
“He’s more than just a teacher to us,” one student said. “He’s like a friend.”
This notion was echoed by other students, who agreed that Brausam is the “heart and soul of our music program.”
“You cannot ask for a better person to do this job,” another student said.
“I remember when he first told us that he was being let go,” an eighth grader said. “There was at least 50 kids in the band room crying, including myself.”
Brausam always encouraged students to try new things, like different instruments, and was always fun, his students said. They noted his love of “Star Wars” and how he would dress up in costumes.
“Mr. Brausam was the teacher that made my son excited to go to school every single day,” a parent added.
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Administration acknowledged the students, but said there was nothing they could do.
“We have no choice but to follow tenure rules,” said Superintendent Vanessa Pereira, who encouraged the students and their parents to continue writing to legislators to get more funding restored.
“I’m going to come to the middle school and sit down with those of you on Student Council and let’s write a letter together. Because you know what?” she said. “I think they’re sick of hearing from the adults, so maybe they need to hear from students.”
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