Bound Brook board adopts $62.7 million tentative 2025–26 budget, adds staff and modular preschool unit

The Bound Brook Board of Education on Tuesday adopted a tentative $62,731,078 budget for the 2025–26 school year, voting unanimously to move forward with a spending plan that the administration said directs two‑thirds of spending into classrooms while funding new staff and a modular preschool expansion.

Superintendent Dr. Freeman and Business Administrator Michael (Mike) Gorski led a roughly hourlong presentation on the budget before the board took the roll‑call vote. Under the proposal the district’s tentative general fund budget is $58,023,282 with a local general fund tax levy of $14,244,882; the tentative total across funds was listed as $62,731,078. The board approved the budget following a public forum that produced no public comments on the proposal.

The administration emphasized that an unusually large share of the district’s resources go into instruction. "Sixty‑six percent of the funds will go into the classroom in the form of coaching, supplies, technology, professional development," Dr. Freeman said during the presentation. Gorski told the board the district had benefited from increases in state aid: "We're very fortunate," he said, describing a net state aid increase of about $1.8 million for 2025–26.

Why it matters: The budget funds instructional priorities at a time of rising enrollment and rising costs, particularly in special education, bilingual/ESL services and transportation. The administration said the plan adds seven full‑time positions — including bilingual and special education teachers and three high‑school teachers — and pays for curriculum updates, professional development, capital repairs and equipment purchases.

Key numbers and program changes - Total tentative budget (all funds): $62,731,078. - Tentative general fund: $58,023,282; tentative general fund local tax levy: $14,244,882. - State equalization aid (as reported in the resolution): $33,438,223.13; categorical special-education aid reported as $2,511,744; preschool education aid reported as $1,768,877; debt service aid reported as $870,480. - The administration said roughly 61% of revenues come from state aid; federal aid was reported at about 4.65% of total revenues. - Staffing: seven additional full‑time positions included a bilingual middle‑school math teacher, three high‑school teachers (math, science, social studies), and two special‑education teachers and an additional special‑education section at the high school. The budget also includes an assistant superintendent position to replace a retired post. - Capital and equipment: The district listed a $4 million modular preschool addition for Lamont (the administration described lease‑purchase financing for most of that amount and a roughly $1 million foundation cost to be budgeted up front), about $2 million in capital projects overall, and approximately $900,000 for equipment (copy machines, Promethean panels, musical equipment, sensory kits and other items). - Health insurance: administrators reported an increase in health insurance costs (the state health benefit fund was described as increasing, with the district’s projected increase around 13.5%). - Tax effect: the administration projected a school tax rate decrease of 3.9 cents; using the district’s sample average assessed home of $447,000 the administration said that equates to roughly a $170 annual reduction on average.

Budget mechanics, limits and contingencies The board resolution adopted the tentative budget and included several technical items required by state regulations. The district indicated it did not appropriate two available cap adjustments — an enrollment adjustment (~$1,552,491) and a health‑care adjustment (~$551,555) — and instead banked those amounts as future tax levy capacity (the administration said the carryover or "banked cap" could be available over a multiyear phase‑in if needed). The resolution also set the 2025–26 annual travel maximum at $57,500 in accordance with district policy and New Jersey administrative guidance.

Administrators repeatedly cautioned that the district remains dependent on state aid. Gorski said that while recent years have brought increased aid, the district must be prepared if aid levels change: "The state aid increased almost $1,800,000. That's a 4.7% increase above last year," he said, and added that the district had not appropriated available cap adjustments so the board could draw on them later if state aid declines.

Board action and vote The board opened a public forum specifically on the budget and heard no comments. After district discussion the board voted by roll call to adopt the tentative budget. Those recorded as voting yes were: Greg Bell; Lisa Gazzino; Nicholas Incalcaterra; Thomas Zupko; Joanna Musen; Danny Minhas; Teresa Su Hai; Donald Volmer; and Board President Mr. Gianuzzi. The resolution passed on a unanimous recorded vote.

What’s next The adoption Tuesday was for the tentative budget. State rules require the board to hold a public hearing and a final adoption vote; the administration said the final adoption is scheduled for the district’s next public meeting after the required public‑hearing period.

The board and administration said capital projects and the modular classroom are on a fast timeline: administrators said the modular unit is expected to be delivered and in place in time for use January 1, 2026, and that foundation work and lease‑purchase financing arrangements are being finalized. The administration also noted the district continues to pursue shared services with neighboring South Bound Brook to reduce costs in transportation and other areas.

The presentation and the adopted resolution are part of the public minutes for the board meeting and were filed with the executive county superintendent as required by New Jersey education law.