Dear Livingston Board of Education,

We, the parents of the students at Riker Hill Elementary, are writing to you to plead for the job of our beloved campus aide, Deborah Ottaiano. We understand that the position of Campus Aide has been eliminated (for better or worse), but there has to be another position to which she can be moved.

Our school is busting at the seams right now and Deb O is one of the biggest reasons it is still running at smoothly as it is. She is the person who makes sure all the changes to pick-up routines as entered in Genesis are honored, she runs recess, and makes sure all the kids get where they need to at the end of the day. She’s there when they’re hurt and the nurse is out. She’s there with a kind word and warmth when they’re out of sorts.

Deb O is more than an Attendance Secretary and Campus Aide. She is the heart of Riker Hill.

In the past two years we lost our rock star principal, and just recently Debbie Paolella, who had been at Riker Hill for over twenty years.

By removing Deb O, who has been at Riker Hill for six years, you are leaving us with one experienced administrative assistant. We love Mrs. Benavides and Michelle Distasio, but that is a LOT to put on them by making them the only experienced Riker Hill office staff, particularly when you consider how full our school is and how many of the new housing developments going up are in Riker Hill’s territory.

Please don’t take our Deb O. Riker Hill will fall into chaos without her, and our halls won’t have the same warmth our kids go in feeling every day now.