Board hears finance committee: projected tuition loss from Green Brook enrollment drop, $125,000 PAC net and athletic cost review
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Summary
Finance committee warned of a projected ~20-student Green Brook enrollment decline with an estimated $400,000 tuition revenue impact, reported the performing arts center is on track to net ~$125,000, and presented an athletic cost study showing football has the highest total program cost while ice hockey has the highest per-athlete cost.
The Watchung Hills Regional High School District’s finance committee on May 20 told the board that district reserves and program budgets will be influenced by an anticipated decline in sending-student tuition from Green Brook, a net rental income estimate from the performing arts center, and a new athletic cost study intended to inform future budget choices.
Mr. Stice reported the committee expects Green Brook enrollment to fall by about 20 students compared with the graduating class, which he said will reduce tuition revenue by roughly $400,000. He noted the decline in Green Brook enrollment may continue for two to three years and recommended increasing tuition reserves accordingly.
The committee reviewed performing-arts-center (PAC) rentals and concluded the district is on track to net about $125,000 from PAC rentals this school year. Committee members emphasized prioritizing student use of district facilities when scheduling external rentals but also acknowledged community value provided by rentals.
An athletic cost study presented by Mr. Tsai and reviewed by the committee examined program-level costs and per-athlete costs. The study found football has the highest overall cost per program — consistent with larger rosters — while ice hockey has the highest cost per athlete because of ice-rental fees and smaller team sizes. Committee members said the data will inform further conversations about fairness, possible fee models and budget priorities. A board member suggested comparing per-student costs across departments to better understand the district’s $27,000-per-student overall figure.
The committee also discussed facilities-related capital needs covered in operations: security upgrades, condensate-tank replacement in the south boiler room — a full replacement estimated at about $500,000 — with a temporary fixed replacement under consideration to reduce immediate cost.
Committee members warned of external economic uncertainty that could affect next year’s budgeting and called for vigilance in the next budget cycle.