Former Board Member criticizes Lacey Township budget oversight and maintenance practices

The recent Town Meeting held on February 27, 2025, in New Jersey, focused heavily on the budgetary practices of the local Board of Education (BOE). A key speaker raised concerns about the lack of oversight and input from board members regarding the budget, highlighting a troubling trend of deferred maintenance in school facilities.

During the meeting, the speaker referenced a ten-year-old budget document, emphasizing its significance as a historical record of the board's financial practices. They explained that the budget process involves principals submitting their requests to the assistant business administrator, who compiles an extensive internal document detailing itemized costs. However, the speaker criticized the board for rarely engaging in meaningful discussions about these line items, suggesting that contracts dictated salaries and benefits, leaving little room for adjustments in the overall budget.

A significant point of concern was the long-term maintenance of school facilities, particularly the high school boilers, which had not been replaced for 40 years. The speaker expressed disbelief that such critical maintenance had been neglected, equating it to leaving a home furnace running for decades without replacement. They argued that this neglect posed safety risks and indicated a failure of the board to fulfill its fiduciary responsibilities.

The speaker's experience on the board revealed a pattern of budgets being approved with minimal scrutiny, with their own dissenting votes on five out of six budgets due to concerns over their adequacy. This lack of rigorous oversight raises questions about the board's commitment to ensuring the safety and functionality of school facilities.

In conclusion, the meeting underscored the urgent need for the Board of Education to reassess its budgeting practices and prioritize maintenance to safeguard the well-being of students and staff. The community is left to ponder the implications of these discussions as they await further action from the board.