The East Orange School District is just one school day away from transformative change. More than 70 layoffs, caused by a massive budget shortfall, will take effect next Monday.

“We really don’t know what tomorrow is going to bring,” said social studies teacher William Williams. “This week has sort of been just preparing for the inevitable.”

“The communication this year has been abysmal,” said Dr. Thelma Ramsey Bryant, principal at Costley Middle School.

Those who remain say the impact will hurt students, some of which already have “free periods” on their schedules.

That gap isn’t just from layoffs. Board agendas show that since Oct. 16, the East Orange School Board has approved 53 resignations. They hired 29 staffers over that span, but eight have already been revoked.

Officials say they’re hoping for a smoother budget process next year.

“We are endeavoring to make the hard decisions now, so we can make the better decisions later,” said Superintendent Christopher Irving.

“Unfortunately, we cannot put a positive spin on what has transpired in these last few months,” said Ramsey Bryant.

News 12 New Jersey is expecting to meet with Superintendent Irving on Monday morning to discuss the situation.