Supper with the Super: Cuts, Confusion and the Fight for Trust

About this episode

Superintendent Ruth B. Turner discusses the Montclair Public Schools budget crisis and the challenges of rebuilding trust with families.

In this second installment of Supper with the Super , Montclair Public Schools Superintendent Ruth B. Turner joins us for a candid, wide-ranging conversation—this time over Ethiopian comfort food at Mesob , a beloved local institution on Bloomfield Avenue. We dig into the realities behind the district’s budget crisis, the difficult decisions shaping the next school year, and what it will take to rebuild trust with families. Turner speaks openly about the pressure of the role, why transparency matters more than ever, and how she’s approaching leadership in one of Montclair’s most challenging moments. We also get specific about what parents and students can expect - from middle school consolidation and cuts to sports and clubs, to changes in language offerings, transportation, and more. Plus, we bring your questions directly to the table, covering everything from “Where’s the money?” to the forensic audit timeline, the search for a new business administrator, and whether a state monitor could still step in. Beyond the numbers, we talk about the human side of this story: the students advocating for their schools, the parents stepping up in meaningful ways, and the superintendent’s…

People in this episode

Guest: Ruth B. Turner

Topics covered

• budget crisis
• school leadership
• transparency
• community trust
• education changes
• parent involvement

Keywords

• Montclair Public Schools
• budget cuts
• transparency
• forensic audit
• school consolidation
• Ethiopian food

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Montclair Public Schools

Places: Mesob, Bloomfield Avenue, Montclair, Lackawanna Plaz

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