The Montclair Board of Education voted Wednesday night to close Renaissance Middle School, marking the first major school closure in the New Jersey district's ongoing effort to address a nearly $20 million budget deficit attributed to years of overspending and under-budgeting by former leadership.
The vote took place during an emotional meeting held at Montclair High School, where parents, teachers, and students packed the atrium to voice their concerns before the board made its decision. Several board members broke down in tears as they cast their votes on the closure.
"Making these difficult decisions is necessary for us to move forward with purpose," Superintendent Ruth B. Turner said, according to CBS News.
Beginning in the 2026-2027 school year, all middle school students who currently attend Renaissance will be moved to one of the district's two remaining middle schools, Buzz Aldrin or Glenfield.
District officials say the consolidation will save approximately $2.3 million per year through staffing adjustments and operational efficiencies, according to Patch.
The Renaissance building will be repurposed as a dedicated pre-kindergarten facility called the Montclair Early Learning Academy. Turner said the building is well-suited for that role, with 16 classrooms, 11 of which already have in-room bathrooms, and a large fenced outdoor play area.
The district currently has a waitlist of more than 180 families seeking PreK spots, and the move would position the district to receive additional state funding tied to expanded PreK capacity.
The closure comes as district-wide middle school enrollment has declined steadily over the past decade. According to district data presented at a Mar. 11 board meeting, enrollment fell from 1,601 students in the 2014-2015 school year to 1,365 today.
Projections show enrollment will remain between 1,310 and 1,360 through 2031-2032. Buzz Aldrin and Glenfield together have a combined capacity of 1,528 students, which is more than enough to absorb the displaced students, Patch reported.
The mood at the meeting was one of grief and frustration. One teacher told the board, "This week, my students have asked if I know where they are going next year and if I will be going with them.
"My heart breaks." A member of the Montclair Education Association said, "Staff did not create this deficit, but we are the ones being asked to pay the price for it."
Current Renaissance families can submit placement request forms through Apr. 17, with notifications expected by May 1. The district has pledged to offer school tours, translated materials, and counseling support throughout the transition.
The budget crisis, which district officials have blamed on "incompetence" by the prior administration, has already led to the layoff of roughly 150 staff members and cuts to extracurricular activities, athletics, and transportation.
Officials have warned that even with the closure of Renaissance, the district's budget is still not balanced, and additional closures and layoffs may follow, as per NJ.
