April Wrap-Up 2025

Last Tuesday evening, I presented the 2025-2026 budget to the Board of Education. The presentation was posted on our website, but I also want to share it directly with you, along with some important context.

As you've likely seen in recent news coverage, school districts across the state are facing mounting budget challenges due to a range of factors. In some cases, these challenges have forced districts to engage in dramatic staffing and program cuts, while others have had to raise school taxes substantially.

Here in West Long Branch, this year's budget process presented us with new challenges. We had to make some difficult decisions, but we are grateful to have developed a balanced budget that protects the core of the exceptional education we offer our students and continues to reflect our careful stewardship of taxpayer resources.

The approved budget includes a 2.75% increase on the school portion of taxes. Of this, 2% is the standard annual increase, and the remaining 0.75% is an adjustment to account for rising healthcare costs. Importantly, the budget maintains current staffing levels and most programs, while also investing in strategic program development. These investments will not only provide the best learning environment to support students with complex learning needs, but will also help secure the district's financial stability as we move forward.

Looking forward, we anticipate that the 2026-2027 budget cycle will be similarly complex and challenging. The Board of Education and I know that the community needs and deserves to be kept informed, engaged, and aware. Planning for the future is already underway, and we continue to monitor the shifting financial landscape while seeking out grant and revenue opportunities.

I encourage you to please take a moment to review the presentation linked below. If you prefer, there is also a version with audio narration. Please feel free to reach out with any questions.

Thank you for your partnership and support, I'm truly grateful to be part of this team.

Sincerely,

Dr. Christina Egan

Another amazing Artivity Night is in the books, one of our favorite evenings of the year! THANK YOU to the WLB Foundation, all of the families and local businesses who sponsored or volunteered at the event, and of course, the one-of-a-kind and incredibly visionary Mrs. Andreasi!

Check out the photos below, and if you weren't able to make it this year, keep your eyes open for next year's date and surprise theme!

THANK YOU to the PTA, Mr. Carbone, and the team from Carbone Fitness for another amazing FIT Day! We love how our community supports and helps our students learn the importance of physical movement and activities, and in such a fun and engaging way! It's not easy to organize such a big event for the day we return from Spring Break, but thanks to Mrs. O'Horo and the other PTA volunteers, it all came together and the students had a blast!

Every month is Autism Acceptance month for this crew!

Thank you to the Child Study Team for supporting students, teachers, and families!

(Faculty pictured from left to right: Mrs. Lorraine Dioguardi (LDTC), Ms. Diane Danch (School Psychologist), Ms. Gabrielle Ascenzo (BCBA), Ms. Meggan Conway (Administrative Assistant), Mrs. Lori Engelken (School Social Worker), Mrs. Natalie Levine (Director of Special Services)

In case you are not aware, this year the counseling department has spearheaded a new program for our students. At the heart of our Backpack Program is a deep commitment to student well-being—because hunger should never stand in the way of learning. With the dedication of our school counselors, this program ensures that students head home each weekend with backpacks full of nutritious, easy-to-prepare meals.

More than just advocates, our counselors work closely with families and staff to discreetly identify needs, provide support, and champion every child's right to a healthy, focused mind. Thanks to their compassionate leadership, we're helping students arrive at school each Monday ready to learn, grow, and thrive.

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and we are excited to share a month full of activities that promote emotional well-being, resilience, and healthy coping strategies for all students!

In addition to fun Spirit Week dress-up days, school counselors will offer push-in lessons focused on stress management, mindfulness, and emotional regulation. Special read-alouds and mindfulness activities will help students build lifelong skills for mental wellness.

Push-In Lessons & Activities

K–4th Grade:

• Book Read-Aloud: "Ruby Finds a Worry" by Tom Percival
  
  

5th–6th Grade:

• Focus Topic: Stress Management and Coping Skills
  
  

7th–8th Grade:

• Focus Topic: Building Mindfulness Skills

In case you weren't aware, May 1st was National Principals' Day!!

I want to take a moment to recognize Mr. Erhardt and Mrs. Jonas, and I hope you'll join me in celebrating all the hard work they do every day.

Mr. Erhardt may as well be "Mr. West Long Branch," given how deeply he knows every single student and their family. He's always thoughtful, always present, and always ready to support students, families, and staff members. This year, he went above and beyond supporting both BME and FAS for a short period of time, and it truly seemed like he was everywhere all at once - on the sidelines of the soccer field, in the classrooms, and outside at arrival to say hi to kids and families. Our schools are so fortunate to have his constant, unfailing, complete dedication, and his genuine care for everyone's success.

Mrs. Jonas may be new to us this year, but she hasn't wasted a moment. She's a bright and positive presence in classrooms with students and staff every single day, and she's already putting her amazing problem-solving and organizational skills to work. She's thoughtful, responsive, and her door is always open to families, students, and staff alike. We're so glad that she chose to come to West Long Branch, and that she's all-hands-on-deck for whatever our students need.

If you get a chance this week, please take a moment to let them know important their work is, and how much it's appreciated.

On Friday, April 25th, FAS students were treated to the gift of a beautiful eastern redbud tree, donated by the West Long Branch Shade Tree Commission.

Mayor Tucci provided a dedication for the tree in honor of Arbor Day, and the event was attended by members of the Shade Tree Commission and Councilman Sniffen and Councilwoman Ruane from the Borough of West Long Branch. The Shade Tree commission also gifted our school with a new thermostat for the Reading Garden. Thank you for your kindness and generosity!

Next week, West Long Branch will recognize the AMAZING teachers and staff members who make everything possible. Thank you to the WLB PTA, who have yet again volunteered their time and resources to plan an amazing week of celebration and appreciation!

If you've been thinking about sending a note to your child's teacher, to the school secretary, to the friendly school security faces who greet you each time you visit, or to any of our other amazing staff members who go above and beyond each day... well, this would be a great week to do it!

Just a few brief words from you could truly make someone's day. Thank you for supporting our fabulous staff members.