Cinnaminson board approves preliminary 2025–26 budget submission, plans 3.7% tax-levy increase to avoid staff cuts

The Cinnaminson Township School District Board of Education voted March 8 to submit a preliminary 2025–26 budget to the Burlington County executive superintendent that keeps current programs and staff intact by increasing the local tax levy by 3.7 percent.

The finance committee recommended the levy increase after reviewing the district’s three-year state aid history, allowable adjustments and revenue projections. Business administrator Miss Wilkie presented budget figures and said the committee expects the proposed tax-rate change would add about $14.98 per month to the average assessed home in Cinnaminson. The board approved sending the preliminary budget to the county for review and scheduled a public hearing on the final budget for April 29 at 5 p.m.

Why it matters: Board members said the levy increase is intended to replace reductions in state aid and avoid program or staff cuts. The motion to submit the preliminary budget was advanced after the finance committee approved specific enrollment and cost adjustments, including a $202,008.27 enrollment adjustment, an additional $424,111 for increased health-care costs, and a planned $575,000 maintenance withdrawal. The committee recorded that these adjustments would preserve current staff and programs for the 2025–26 year.

Supporting details: The board also approved administrators’ requests to: (1) submit the preschool expansion-aid workbook for 2025–26; (2) accept a $150,000 New Jersey preschool facilities grant; and (3) renew a contract with Educational Data Services for $3,615 for July 1, 2025–June 30, 2026. Wilkie told the board the preschool workbook and grant actions are part of the district’s effort to expand its pre-K program; district leaders earlier said they expect about 180 preschool slots next year as the program grows.

The board approved the preliminary budget submission by roll-call vote; the motion carried. Board members said the finance committee will present the full budget and answer questions before the April 29 public hearing.

Votes at a glance: The following formal items were on the March 8 consent/finance agenda and were approved by the board during the meeting: (1) Submission of the 2025–26 preliminary budget to Burlington County (preliminary submission approved); (2) Inclusion of an enrollment adjustment of $202,008.27 in the preliminary budget (approved); (3) Inclusion of an increased health-care cost adjustment of $424,111 in the preliminary budget (approved); (4) Inclusion of a $575,000 maintenance withdrawal in the preliminary budget (approved); (5) Approval of the preschool expansion-aid workbook submission (approved); (6) Acceptance of a $150,000 preschool facilities grant (approved); (7) Renewal of Educational Data Services contract for $3,615 (approved). The board scheduled final budget adoption and a public hearing for April 29 at 5 p.m.

What’s next: The finance committee will publish the public-facing budget presentation in advance of the April 29 public hearing, and administration said it is available to present budget details to community organizations on request.