Northern Burlington approves 2025-26 budget after public hearing; levy rises within state caps

The Northern Burlington County Regional School District Board of Education opened a public hearing and voted to adopt the district—s 2025-26 budget after a presentation by Business Administrator Kevin Kaz.

The budget increases the district—s general fund appropriations by about $1.9 million (roughly 3.5%), reflects a $1.2 million increase in state aid, and carries a local tax levy increase limited by New Jersey—s 2% cap (approximately $459,000). The board voted to approve the budget on a roll call with the majority in favor and one member opposed.

The adoption follows a public presentation of enrollment projections, revenue sources and spending priorities. Kaz said the district benefited from an unusually positive state aid allocation this year, including a large increase in "impact aid" tied to residents on the nearby military base and a rise in special-education aid. At the same time, Kaz told the board, health insurance costs rose by more than $1 million and salary costs increased by about $546,000, placing upward pressure on expenditures.

District officials also reported changes to the capital program: capital outlay was reduced by about $990,000 from the prior year, while some planned projects continue, including renovation of a high-school courtyard, ADA work on gym doors and synthetic-turf replacements. Kaz said the district paid off a health-and-wellness center lease this year, which partially offset other debt-service costs.

The presentation reviewed enrollment trends: district enrollment has been slowly declining since 2022, with a net drop of roughly seven dozen students over eight years. Administrators noted that Chesterfield—s elementary enrollment is increasing while Mansfield—s is declining; those shifts affect the district—s apportionment of the regional tax levy across the four sending municipalities (Chesterfield, Mansfield, North Hanover and Springfield).

Kaz explained the district—s use of banked tax levy capacity ("bank cap") available under state rules. The district is eligible this year for waivers that would allow it to exceed the 2% tax levy cap by about $835,000 (largely tied to health insurance and other allowed categories). Board materials showed the district has carried previously banked capacity forward, some of which expires if unused after three years.

Special-education costs were highlighted as a major driver of the budget increase. Kaz said the district expects additional out-of-district placements and one-to-one nursing and aide support for new students, and that tuition adjustments at special-service schools sometimes produce retroactive charges that are paid in subsequent years.

During the public portion, a resident praised recent capital improvements and security upgrades, saying the buildings feel safer and more welcoming. Board members asked technical questions about the equalized-value formula used to apportion the levy among the municipalities; Kaz replied that the state presents the breakdown as elementary (K-6) versus regional (7-12) enrollment and that the county tax administrator equalizes assessments to make the comparisons consistent.

The board moved 7.14 (the nonconsent motion to adopt the 2025-26 budget) to a vote and approved it on a roll call. The minutes record one "no" vote (Mister Bucks); the other board members present voted in favor.

The district also announced that an accessible, user-friendly budget and the full presentation will be posted on its website following adoption. The budget becomes the district—s spending plan for the 2025-26 school year and will be implemented subject to the state—s review processes and any required follow-ups.

Votes at a glance: 7.14 (Adopt 2025-26 budget) — approved (roll-call recorded votes include: Figgs: yes; Bond: yes; Applegate: yes; Armanente: yes; Bucks: no; Norwood: yes; Janice: yes; Spence: yes; Zimmer: yes).