The Board of Education confirmed today that they granted the two-month contract extension for Oscar to secure his full pension. Our formal submissions and the feedback provided by the 296 signers were the primary drivers for this reversal. We will monitor the transition to ensure the paperwork is finalized by …
August 20, 2026
Final supporters
Background:
Oscar Lucero has served our school district faithfully for almost 25 years as Supervisor of Building and Grounds. He has kept our schools safe, clean, and running, often going above and beyond for our students, staff, and community. As the number of custodians has decreased over the years, Oscar's role expanded and he has proven to be a dependable and invaluable member of our Lincoln School community.
Now, Oscar is just 2 months away from qualifying for his full pension. His contract is not being renewed, and his request for a brief 2-month extension has been denied. Without it, he loses access to retirement benefits he has spent a career earning.
We are asking the Superintendent and the Board of Education to reconsider and let Oscar collect his full pension.
If you would like to show your support, please add your name to this request for Oscar to receive his full pension after 25 years of service to Lincoln School and Garwood.
___________________________________________________________________
Petition:
We, the undersigned Lincoln School parents and community members of Garwood, NJ, respectfully call on the Garwood Board of Education and Superintendent Marx to grant a two-month contract extension to Oscar Lucero, Supervisor of Building and Grounds.
Oscar has served our schools and our children faithfully for nearly 25 years, and he is just two months away from qualifying for his full pension. We understand that budget decisions are complicated, but this is a matter of basic fairness.
We urge the Garwood School District to act in good faith. There is only one right thing to do: let Oscar retire with the dignity, and the pension, he has earned.
Updates
Reached 250 supporters
June 8, 2026
Reached 100 supporters
June 7, 2026
116 Comments
As a former student of this elementary school, I can personally say he made a lasting positive impact on the school community. He has served with dedication for many years and deserves fair treatment. I respectfully support extending his contract so he can receive the benefits he has earned.
Oscar not only worked hard to keep the school clean but was always friendly and had a shockingly good attitude for someone whose job is cleaning up after school children. As a Lincoln School alum (class of 2011), this is incredibly disappointing and frustrating to hear.
It's inappropriate to let an employee go just to stop their pension from fully vesting. Small districts like Garwood have enough trouble hiring. The last thing we need is a reputation for treating employees unfairly.
Oscar has not only been an exemplary member of our schools staff he has been someone who has made our kids feel safe and seen. The choice to not renew his contract is not only horrible & unjust it is not reflective of this town’s community spirit. I am honestly ashamed of this and hope it is rectified immediately.
As a former employee of the GBOE and a colleague of Oscar’s I whole heartedly agree that he should be given his full pension. He is a hard worker and a respected member of Lincoln School’s community. He is dedicated to both the staff and the student body. He has more than earned it.
Do the right thing Garwood School!
Oscar has been at Garwood Schools since I was being educated there, and was a constant presence in the schools that allowed me to feel welcomed and supported. As an adult, Oscar always remembers previous students like myself when he sees us. He has spent the last 25 years taking care of the school and the children in our community with pride, and it is so disappointing to see someone who has poured their heart into our school district and our children be let down by the place he has devoted his life to.
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The Board of Education confirmed today that they granted the two-month contract extension for Oscar to secure his full pension. Our formal submissions and the feedback provided by the 296 signers were the primary drivers for this reversal. We will monitor the transition to ensure the paperwork is finalized by …
August 20, 2026
Final supporters
Background:
Oscar Lucero has served our school district faithfully for almost 25 years as Supervisor of Building and Grounds. He has kept our schools safe, clean, and running, often going above and beyond for our students, staff, and community. As the number of custodians has decreased over the years, Oscar's role expanded and he has proven to be a dependable and invaluable member of our Lincoln School community.
Now, Oscar is just 2 months away from qualifying for his full pension. His contract is not being renewed, and his request for a brief 2-month extension has been denied. Without it, he loses access to retirement benefits he has spent a career earning.
We are asking the Superintendent and the Board of Education to reconsider and let Oscar collect his full pension.
If you would like to show your support, please add your name to this request for Oscar to receive his full pension after 25 years of service to Lincoln School and Garwood.
___________________________________________________________________
Petition:
We, the undersigned Lincoln School parents and community members of Garwood, NJ, respectfully call on the Garwood Board of Education and Superintendent Marx to grant a two-month contract extension to Oscar Lucero, Supervisor of Building and Grounds.
Oscar has served our schools and our children faithfully for nearly 25 years, and he is just two months away from qualifying for his full pension. We understand that budget decisions are complicated, but this is a matter of basic fairness.
We urge the Garwood School District to act in good faith. There is only one right thing to do: let Oscar retire with the dignity, and the pension, he has earned.
Updates
Reached 250 supporters
June 8, 2026
Reached 100 supporters
June 7, 2026
116 Comments
For years, Oscar has been a steady, trusted presence in our school community. He has shaped the daily lives of our students and families with care, consistency, and pride. Maintaining his status honors his lifelong commitment to this community and ensures he can retire with the dignity he has unquestionably earned.
As a former student of this elementary school, I can personally say he made a lasting positive impact on the school community. He has served with dedication for many years and deserves fair treatment. I respectfully support extending his contract so he can receive the benefits he has earned.
Oscar not only worked hard to keep the school clean but was always friendly and had a shockingly good attitude for someone whose job is cleaning up after school children. As a Lincoln School alum (class of 2011), this is incredibly disappointing and frustrating to hear.
It's inappropriate to let an employee go just to stop their pension from fully vesting. Small districts like Garwood have enough trouble hiring. The last thing we need is a reputation for treating employees unfairly.
Oscar has not only been an exemplary member of our schools staff he has been someone who has made our kids feel safe and seen. The choice to not renew his contract is not only horrible & unjust it is not reflective of this town’s community spirit. I am honestly ashamed of this and hope it is rectified immediately.
As a former employee of the GBOE and a colleague of Oscar’s I whole heartedly agree that he should be given his full pension. He is a hard worker and a respected member of Lincoln School’s community. He is dedicated to both the staff and the student body. He has more than earned it.
Do the right thing Garwood School!
Oscar has been at Garwood Schools since I was being educated there, and was a constant presence in the schools that allowed me to feel welcomed and supported. As an adult, Oscar always remembers previous students like myself when he sees us. He has spent the last 25 years taking care of the school and the children in our community with pride, and it is so disappointing to see someone who has poured their heart into our school district and our children be let down by the place he has devoted his life to.
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For years, Oscar has been a steady, trusted presence in our school community. He has shaped the daily lives of our students and families with care, consistency, and pride. Maintaining his status honors his lifelong commitment to this community and ensures he can retire with the dignity he has unquestionably earned.