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Preliminary 2025-26 Mahwah budget presentation: enrollment down, capital projects planned with state reimbursement
Summary
Business administrator presented the third of four budget briefings for 2025-26, reporting an enrollment decline, proposed staff changes, transportation costs near $7 million and capital projects partially funded by state grants that reimburse 40% of eligible costs.
The Mahwah Board of Education received the third of four briefings on the preliminary 2025-26 budget at its April 9 meeting.
Dr. Morphy, the district's business administrator, told the board October 15, 2024 enrollment (the state's official record date) showed a district-wide decrease of about 80 students compared with the prior year. "October 15 is the official record date where the state uses our enrollment numbers, as a calculation of how much state aid we're going to get," Dr. Morphy said.
Key budget details presented include: - Enrollment and special education: October 2024 enrollment is down about 80 students; the budget anticipates 68 special-education students and includes three contingencies for future out-of-district placements. - Staffing: The budget shows about 454 full-time equivalent positions and anticipates a net decrease of nine FTEs next year (a gross decrease of 13 positions offset by adding four school security officers). Dr. Morphy said the township has helped fund the additional security officers. - Transportation: The district spends nearly $7 million on student transportation, about 8.4% of the operating budget. Dr. Morphy noted routes were consolidated in prior years and that current bus contracts increase by 3.57% (CPI) for next year. - Capital projects and state reimbursement: The board plans summer projects including replacing a walk-in freezer and a high-school cafeteria roof. The presenter cited a project cost of about $1,100,000 for the roof, with the state paying 40% and the district paying the remainder from capital reserve. The presentation listed nearly $10 million in potential "rod grant" projects that would be reimbursed 40% by the state if the board elects to proceed. A rooftop HVAC replacement at Joyce Kilmer School (projected cost $442,000) was also discussed; the state would reimburse 40%. - Food service: Kitchen and cafeteria equipment purchases can be charged to the food service account, not the operating budget, the presenter said.
Dr. Morphy said the final budget presentation on April 30 will include a summary and the estimated tax impact; the board will later vote to adopt the final budget.
The board asked questions about timelines for grant spending and whether unspent grant dollars can carry over; Dr. Morphy said there is no single statewide deadline for spending but advised against long delays in using grant awards because program or political changes could affect reimbursement.
The presentation included updates on other items such as transportation efficiency (the district's stated score was 1.257, above county and state averages) and paving and maintenance projects that will piggyback on the township's annual bid to save costs.
