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 and committee members said the dollar figures in the budget are estimates tied to the district's long‑range facilities plan and to the capital improvement process. The business administrator and facilities chair explained that projects are budgeted using up‑to‑date estimates so money can be allocated to capital; the district then publicly bids projects and must accept the lowest responsive bid. As one presenter explained, if a bid comes in lower than the allocated estimate, the excess goes back into the capital improvement fund; if a bid exceeds the estimate the district will rebid or cancel the project and return the money to capital.

The board approved the facilities and finance action items related to the budget (listed in the agenda as items 03/2001 through 14.15). During the roll call on the finance and budget items, two board members registered no votes on specific budget lines: the transcript records that a board member identified as Miss Quinn voted “no” on item 14.13, and a member identified as Mr. Thorn recorded a “no” on item 14.12 and 14.13 while voting yes on the remainder. The remainder of the board voted to approve the slate as presented.

Board members and administrators emphasized constraints on how capital reserve funds may be used. The business administrator reminded the board that capital reserve money is to be spent on capital projects only and cannot be reallocated to general operating lines. Committee members also said some projects in the plan involve more than resurfacing (for example, grading and new drainage) and that older cost estimates must be raised to reflect current market prices.

Several board members said they support addressing long‑standing facility needs but asked the board to be mindful of taxpayer impact and to sequence work sensibly rather than trying to complete many large projects simultaneously. Administrators replied that spreading work across many summers had previously left significant needs unaddressed and that the district is attempting to "chip away" at the long‑range list while maintaining safety and security for students and staff.

The board did not adopt additional changes to the budget on the meeting record; administrators said individual project spending will ultimately be finalized through the public bid process and returned to capital if bids are lower than estimates.

Next steps: capital project spending is dependent on bidding results; if bids exceed allocated amounts the district said it will rebid or cancel the project and return funds to capital reserves.