Glen Rock board adopts $62M-plus budget with 3.88% tax levy increase

The Glen Rock Board of Education voted to adopt the district's final 2025-26 budget after a public hearing, approving a $2.1 million increase in the local tax levy — a 3.88% change over last year.

James Canales, staff member presenting the budget, said the district's draft was produced after a five-month process and line-by-line review by an ad hoc budget committee. "Here we are tonight at our public hearing, where, we will vote on our final budget," he said.

Nut graf: Board discussion and public comment focused on rising employee health-care premiums, special-education costs and transportation contract increases that the administration said account for most of the $2.6 million rise in expenditures. The board approved the budget despite objections from one trustee who called the proposal an overreliance on the maximum allowable tax increase.

The presentation showed employee benefits and special education drove the bulk of the increase. Canales told the board the state benefit plan experienced an aggregate 14.9% increase as of Jan. 1, and the district's legacy Chapter 78 plans rose about 22% while newer educator plans rose about 9%. Canales said the state provides a tax-levy cap adjustment for large benefit spikes; Glen Rock used an $800,000 adjustment and $185,000 of previously banked cap to help balance the budget.

Canales said local revenue will cover most of the budget, and that state aid accounted for a small share. He said the tax levy will rise by $2.1 million (3.88%), and the district expects the average Glen Rock homeowner (tax-assessor estimate: $591,000) to see roughly a $382 annual increase on the school portion of their bill. He cautioned the district does not calculate the exact tax rate; municipal assessors set the final tax rate.

Board members and public commenters pushed for more public reporting on the results and value of recent supervisory and administrative hires. Resident Colleen Manley urged clearer public updates on supervisors' work and asked how the district measures their value. "I have made the comment many, many times that I believe the public deserves more reporting out from supervisors on curriculum and what they do," Manley said.

Trustee Michael Cohen (board member) criticized the budget process and the recommended levy increase. "The suggested budget is a failure of the board to control cost," he said during debate, adding the finance committee met only once and that the board appeared to be using the maximum allowable increase "because we can." Cohen voted against the budget.

The board voted on the final budget resolution after discussion. Roll call: Miss Carusella, yes; Mr. Cohen, no; Mr. Hayward, yes; Ms. Pearlamus, yes; Ms. Stevenson, yes; Ms. Calvez, yes; Dr. Robinson, yes. The motion passed.

The budget presentation also included enrollment and capital notes: Canales said the district will complete all ESIP energy projects by July 1 and expects savings to offset distribution cost increases expected in June. He reported the district used a new financial system (SchoolFi) this budget cycle to improve efficiency.

Ending: Board leadership and public speakers urged continued oversight and engagement as the district transitions to the adopted budget. Several trustees said they support maintaining the ad hoc budget committee and longer planning to address structural pressures such as health-care costs and special-education needs.