The Ledger
A public record of the outsourcing of paraprofessionals in West Orange Public Schools in 2026: what the Board decided, what the district told families, which records are being requested, and what comes back.
It is kept by one parent, Rasmus Praestholm, on his own behalf. It does not speak for any PTA, parent group, or union, and it is not affiliated with the district.
The short version
- April 29, 2026. The Superintendent told families that outsourcing paraprofessional services would save $3 million a year and that “our students will continue to see the same familiar faces they rely on.” (letter, p. 3)
- June 16. The Board approved an agreement with the teachers’ union permitting the outsourcing, and at the same meeting rejected the proposals it had received under its own request for proposals for the work. (minutes, pp. 12 and 25)
- July 21. The Board approved an “EduStaff Pricing Schedule Addendum-Exhibit B for an estimated amount of $12,000,000.” (minutes, p. 13)
- September 16. In answer to another resident’s records request, the district released a list of 145 paraprofessionals by name, assignment, and employer: 132 “Edustaff” and 13 “Employed by West Orange”. (letter; list, names removed)
- September 28. The district reported at the Board meeting that 176 of 244 needed paraprofessional positions were filled: 47 returning aides, 13 in grant-funded or pension positions, and 116 new. It said 24 positions were vacant and 44 hires were in process, and that it is working with EduStaff to bring staff on. (recording, from 53:12)
- In writing. As far as I can find, the district has not published these numbers, the staffing agreement, or what has been billed for the work. A resident who asked for the agreement on September 18 has been given two extensions, the latest to October 28. (letter)
The full sequence is on the timeline. The district’s statements are set beside the records on What the District Said. The vocabulary of the pay dispute (guide, step, longevity, markup) is explained from the district’s own documents on How the Pay Works. What the district buys and pays for health coverage, what its employees pay, what the law requires until the end of 2027, and the alternatives residents are asking about are on How the Health Benefits Work. What communities have built for themselves before, what the local hospitals charge, and what a town could start on its own are on How Services Could Work, which is the keeper’s assessment rather than record.
Records requests
| Request | Status | Filed | Response due |
|---|---|---|---|
| OPRA-001: Paraprofessional staffing contract and billing | Filed | Oct 14, 2026 | Oct 23, 2026 |
| OPRA-002: Paraprofessional coverage records | Filed | Oct 14, 2026 | Oct 23, 2026 |
| OPRA-003: Instructional schedules, class coverage, and movies | Filed | Oct 14, 2026 | Oct 23, 2026 |
Each request page carries the full text, the filing receipt, and every response as it arrives. See Records Requests for how the deadlines work.
How to read this
Every entry is labelled with what it rests on.
- Record A district or vendor document, linked, with the page number.
- Statement Something the district, the Board, or the union said in writing or at a public meeting, quoted, with the date.
- Press Something a named news outlet reported, linked.
- Ledger Something the keeper of this ledger filed or sent, published in full.
Accounts from parents and staff are not published here. They are real and they matter, but a second-hand account is not a record, and publishing one could expose the person who gave it. The requests above ask for the documents that would confirm or correct what people are describing.
Corrections and replies
If anything here is wrong, write to schools@frontstate.org. Corrections are made with a dated note and the earlier wording stays visible. Any response from the district will be published in full.
Nothing on these pages is legal advice.