This is an open letter to the taxpayers of Hopatcong and also to the Board of Education. The only personnel who have not settled their contract are the Custodians, Cafeteria Workers and Aides. The Board of Education continues to treat these people with disrespect and dishonesty. Let me tell you what these people do on a daily basis.

They serve the children lunch everyday and make sure every child has a lunch even if they have no way to pay for it.
They clean up the messes, the vomit, the urine, the feces, the skunked items that come from home, the blood etc.
They wipe the children's noses, change their diapers and feed them. They are scratched, hit and cursed at and yet they still care about the child and treat them with love and respect. They keep the children safe, listen to their stories and wipe away their tears and comfort them when they are upset. They settle their squabbles and keep them from being bullied. They tie their shoes and zip up their coats. They help them open their milk and send them to the nurse when they are sick. They play games with them and read to them. They give them hugs and encouragement when needed. They build up their self-esteem and make them feel good about themselves.This is just some of the things that Custodians, Aides and Cafeteria Workers do everyday. They are the backbone of the Hopatcong School System and they deserve better than what they are getting from the Board of Education.