Robbinsville BOE declines to apply for $2.4 million tax-levy incentive after weeklong presentation on career pathways and HVAC funding

Robbinsville Board of Education members on Friday declined to authorize district staff to apply for a $2.4 million tax-levy increase under a New Jersey Department of Education incentive program, after a presentation that linked the one‑time revenue boost to capital work for a high‑school HVAC ROD grant and to start-up funding for proposed K–12 career pathways.

The administration presented the plan as a short window of opportunity requiring an application to the county by Monday, with a public budget discussion set for April 29. The proposal asked the board to authorize a $2,400,000 additional levy; the state would add a one‑time 5% supplement (about $120,000), the presentation said. The application would, if approved, place $2,000,000 into capital reserve specifically to fund a high‑school rooftop HVAC project tied to a ROD grant, with the remainder directed to one‑time curriculum and instructional items for new course offerings.

The plan mattered because administrators said the district faces a recurring structural shortfall and growing programmatic limits. Dr. Pizzo, speaking for the administration, called the proposal “a fiscally sound multi year plan to ensure our path forward” and framed the request as a way to “address our structural deficit” while preserving and expanding electives and pathways.

Mr.…