Evesham Township School District projects $7 million shortfall; superintendent outlines staff, schedule and program cuts

Evesham Township School District Superintendent Dr. Smith told the Board of Education on Jan. 30 that the district faces a roughly $7 million budget gap for 2025–26 and outlined a package of proposed spending reductions and revenue options to close more than half of that amount.

“This year's budget is particularly painful, and we wanted to get the information out as soon as possible,” Dr. Smith said during a preliminary budget presentation, noting the district has lost more than $7,149,080 in state aid since 2018 and currently spends about $3,566 less per pupil than the New Jersey K–8 average.

The presentation is intended to start public discussion months ahead of the March tentative-budget deadline. Dr. Smith and district staff said the gap reflects a years-long reduction in state aid, annual wage and benefits increases that typically exceed local tax-levy growth limits, rising special-education and transportation costs, and one-time revenue sources the district used last year to avoid deeper cuts.

Why it matters: Evesham is constrained by the state 2% tax-levy cap and says its cumulative loss in state funding is large relative to enrollment changes. The administration said the $7 million shortfall cannot be absorbed without changes that would affect staffing, schedules and some programs across the district’s six elementary and two middle schools.

Key figures and proposed steps

- Total deficit reported: approximately $7,000,000. Dr. Smith and assistant superintendent/finance staff described roughly $4.3 million in identified steps that would be implemented first, leaving about $2.7 million still to find. - State-aid losses: the presentation cited a $7,149,080 reduction from 2018 to 2025 and projected cumulative assumed losses approaching $39 million if current trends continue. - Per-pupil gap: the district said it spends about $3,566 less per pupil than the state average for K–8 districts; with an enrollment around 4,500 students that translates to roughly $16 million versus the state average, the superintendent said.

Major proposals described by district leadership (with estimated savings presented by staff): - Outsource remaining district transportation routes (maintain only coordinator positions and some senior drivers): estimated savings of at least $800,000, plus potential lease revenue from buses and the transportation yard. - Increase walking, consolidate bus routes and eliminate late…