Middlesex Borough School District board approves 2025–26 budget; members dissent over large capital estimates

The Middlesex Borough School District board voted to approve its final 2025–26 budget as presented, using the district's full allowable 2% tax levy increase. The administration said the budget is intended to preserve existing programs and maintain "support and stability" for instructional services while funding multiple capital projects.

Board members debated the size and timing of capital work included in the budget, focusing on an estimated $1 million parking‑lot project at Parker School and a line item described as "other expenditures" that a member said represents about 19.9% of the budget (described in the meeting as roughly $10,000,000). One board member said the parking‑lot estimate sounded “way over what it should cost,” and asked for greater scrutiny of the estimate and the items grouped under other expenditures.

Administration…