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South Plainfield board votes to request state permission to raise tax levy for 2025-26
Summary
The South Plainfield Board of Education approved a resolution to ask the New Jersey Commissioner of Education for permission to raise the local tax levy to the maximum allowable for the 2025-26 school year after a reported $1.6 million drop in state aid; board members voted on the measure by roll call.
The South Plainfield Board of Education voted on April 4 to adopt a resolution requesting permission from the New Jersey Commissioner of Education to raise the district—s property tax levy to the maximum allowable amount for the 2025-26 school year.
District officials told the board the request is prompted by a roughly $1,600,000 reduction in state aid under the current state funding formula, combined with rising costs for salaries and employee health benefits that exceed the 2% tax levy cap. "Because we are unable to raise the amount of money the state calculates that the school district must spend to provide its students with a thorough and efficient education, we are considered to be under adequacy," the superintendent (name not specified) said during the discussion.
The superintendent said the board qualifies for a one-time tax-levy incentive option and that applying for permission from the commissioner is intended to close the gap in the district—s budget. Officials warned that without the levy increase, the district would face measures such as increased class sizes, program cuts and elimination of faculty, staff and administrative positions. "Without doing so, we will be required to increase class sizes, cut programs, eliminate numerous faculty, staff, and administrative positions," the superintendent said.
Board members approved the resolution by roll call. Recorded responses during the roll call included affirmative votes from Mr. Espin, Mr. Gianakos, Mr. Sussleberg, Mr. Chapman and Mr. Gascio; the clerk recorded the result as an affirmative roll-call approval (see vote record). The motion instructs district staff to file the formal request to the Commissioner of Education seeking permission to raise the tax levy to the maximum permitted level for 2025-26.
The board and administration framed the measure as a step to avoid immediate program and staffing reductions. The resolution itself asks the commissioner for permission under state procedures; any levy increase would occur only if the commissioner approves the district—s application.
Next steps: district staff will prepare and submit the formal application to the New Jersey Commissioner of Education and notify taxpayers of the request, per state procedures. The transcript records no specific effective date for a levy increase; any implementation would depend on commissioner approval and subsequent administrative steps.
