SECAUCUS, NJ — This Tuesday night, June 25, acting Secaucus schools superintendent Charlie Voorhees will be present at the Secaucus Council meeting.
The council meeting begins at 7 p.m. in Council chambers at town hall, and Mayor Mike Gonnelli encourages all members of the public to come. Voorhees will be there specifically to answer questions about this stunning announcement from Secaucus schools earlier in June that it would not, in fact, be offering free full-day PreK this September.
Gonnelli said Voorhees will be there Tuesday night to answer any questions from the public, and address any feedback/complaints about the matter.
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On June 7, the town of Secaucus made the surprise announcement that the school district would not, in fact, be providing free full-day PreK this year.
This was after Gov. Phil Murphy and former superintendent Erick Alfonso held a press conference from Millridge School in March, to announce free, full-day PreK was coming.
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The town said it had to take away the offer due to Alfonso failing to secure funding. At the time, Gonnelli said it was “very upsetting,” “disappointing” and “utterly embarrassing.”
“In short, it seems Superintendent Alfonso either provided me with incorrect information or did not fully analyze and understand the requirements and limitations of the grant and the impact on the school system,” said Gonnelli on June 7.
Gonnelli said about 100 families in town had already been selected for the full-day PreK (priority was given to special-needs 3- and 4-year-olds).
Gonnelli said Monday:
Families are “upset, of course. We are encouraging anyone with questions to come and ask Voorhees, and he will explain all this and answer any questions tomorrow night.”
Erick Alfonso still being paid his $180,000 yearly salary while Secaucus BOE places him on leave
Alfonso remains on paid administrative leave after he was the subject of an investigation by the Secaucus Board of Education earlier this spring. The public was never told why Alfonso was investigated or placed on paid leave. He is still being paid his $180,000 yearly salary while he is on leave.
Voorhees, the athletic director, was named acting superintendent. The Secaucus Board of Education said it will choose a permanent superintendent on June 30.
On this topic: Secaucus School District Takes Away Offer Of Free Full-Day PreK (June 7)
Charlie Voorhees Named Acting Secaucus School Superintendent (April 18)
Initial report about free, full-day PreK coming to Secaucus: Secaucus Will Use Lottery For Free, Full-Day PreK This September (March 13)
Secaucus Superintendent Placed On Paid Leave: For unknown reasons, Alfonso was suspended with pay, his $180,000 yearly salary. (March 22)
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