Haddonfield board adopts 2025–26 budget with 2.94% tax-levy increase; board approves time-sensitive staffing and contract submissions

The Haddonfield School District board held a public hearing on the proposed fiscal year 2025–26 budget and adopted the budget after a presentation on revenues, levy adjustments and tax impact. Board members also approved time-sensitive personnel reemployment items and the submission of administrative contracts to the county for review.

Business-office staff said the executive county superintendent had approved the budget and that the district’s operating budget would increase by 3.72 percent, with a proposed general-fund tax-levy increase of 2.94 percent (an increase the presenters said equates to roughly $1.2 million). Staff described state-aid decreases, health-care and enrollment adjustments that were used to generate allowable levy increases, and the district’s decision to use portions of those adjustments rather than drawing on banked cap.

Presenters described how the tax levy and valuation changes interact: rising assessed values in the borough reduce the rate impact for any given levy increase, staff said, and the board reviewed scenarios for typical home assessments. Business-office presenters explained that banked cap is potential future levy capacity (not cash on hand), and said the board chose not to use all available adjustments so that taxpayers would not bear an additional immediate increase in taxes.

During the public-comment period, resident Carol Stoner of Avondale Avenue said she was concerned that a proposed change—requiring freshmen to take one semester of PE—would limit athletes’ ability to take other courses and asked the board to reconsider. Stoner said she was also concerned about household budgets in the face of the tax increase and a multi-decade PILOT agreement with the developer for the Woodmont property.

On votes, board members approved personnel and business items by roll call. The meeting record shows the board approved (1) reemployment of non-represented and non-certified staff for 2025–26, (2) submission of the Camden County business-administrator contract (for Michael Cavabano) and the Camden County superintendent contract for Doctor Priolo to county offices as required, and (3) formal adoption of the 2025–26 budget as advertised. The board’s roll call for the budget adoption and the listed business items recorded unanimous approval by members present.

Board members and finance staff noted the budget’s components: the general fund increase (the board said it was using a 2% statutory base plus a health-care adjustment that produced the 2.94% proposed levy change), a $700,000-plus increase in the debt-service levy tied to the recently passed referendum, and ongoing pressures from special education and contracted professional services. Staff also highlighted that central operating costs—personnel typically represent roughly 74 percent of district expenditures—drive budget choices.

The board closed the public hearing and adopted the budget during the meeting by roll-call vote. The board also approved personnel reemployment and authorized county submission for two administrative contracts; those administrative items were described as time-sensitive and need county processing before the district can finalize employment terms.

The board did not take additional budget amendments or changes at the meeting; staff said more detailed budget documentation and follow-up on specific cost lines will be available to the board and the public in coming weeks.