Aides See Hours Cut in NHP-GCP

New Hyde Park resident and Hillside Grade School aide Karen Hugli voiced her dismay with  the cutting of a half hour for lunch aides during Monday night's board of education meeting.

in the district are losing a half hour of their time and pay in the 2011-12 budget.

Hugli explained that each aide in has a specific role that they have held for several years. She added that the school principal, nurse and other staff have been appreciative of the aides' work.

"I don't know where the loyalty is here; I'm a little disappointed in that," Hugli said to the board.

She cited that one of the aides has been working in the district for 21 years, Hugli has been there for 17 years and many have been in the district for more than 12 years.

"The way that this was done, we didn't deserve it," Hugli said. "We didn't deserve not to be told ahead of time about this."

Hugli would have liked Superintendent Robert Katulak to have sat down with all of the aides or for each principal to discuss the issue with their respective aides.

"I would like to know how any one of you would feel if someone took $1,000 out of your pocket because that's exactly what these girls are losing," Hugli said. "Shame on you for going after the little people."

When Hugli finished speaking to the board, several people in the room clapped.

Board Member responded to Hugli saying that, "This board took into consideration everything to save jobs and we saved everyone's job. That was the most important thing."

The budget vote is on May 17.