Neptune Board approves submission to seek one-time tax-levy increase to close budget gap

The Neptune Township Board of Education voted to approve submission of an application to the New Jersey Department of Education seeking a one-time increase in the local tax levy to help close a projected budget gap, the board said at a special meeting. The board approved the motion by roll call and then moved into executive session to discuss personnel and attorney‑client privileged matters; no action was taken in executive session, the board said.

Superintendent Dr. Christina told the meeting the district’s shortfall stems primarily from changes to state school funding following enactment of “S2” and from steep local cost increases. "The burden of funding schools has shifted from state aid to local taxpayers," she said, summarizing the effect of S2. She told residents the district once received about $32,000,000 in state aid annually and now receives about $8,000,000.

Dr. Christina walked the audience through cost pressures the district faces and the budget choices staff and the board considered. She listed projected increases in employee health benefits (about 22 percent next year), a planned utility budget increase (about 30 percent), contractual salary steps (about 3.4 percent), and…