Board receives preliminary 2025–26 budget and tax analysis; district cites 2.79% tentative tax increase

Metuchen Public School District presented its preliminary 2025–26 budget and accompanying tax analysis at the board meeting, with administration calling the packet a necessary step before the final public hearing later in April.

Business administrator Mr. Harvey walked the board through the fund structure and revenue assumptions. He described Fund 10 (operating) and Fund 40 (debt service), noted miscellaneous revenues (including tuition and interest) and identified transportation revenue the district expects to collect from families for bus service. Mr. Harvey reported total preliminary revenues of approximately $52.8 million for the funds he discussed and said the local school tax levy is the largest revenue source.

Using the figures in the tax analysis, the presentation said the average assessed home in town (the figure used in the packet) would see a tax increase of $259, which the presenter stated represents a 2.79% increase over the prior year. Mr. Harvey emphasized that the numbers are preliminary, repeated that the district budgets some fund balance and transfers from capital reserves to moderate tax impacts, and reminded the board that the final budget vote occurs after a public hearing at the end of April.

Board members asked clarifying questions about charter school tuition lines and transportation revenue and costs; Mr. Harvey said the district pays charter‑school tuition for residents who attend charter schools in the county and that transportation revenue (the fee collected from parents) was estimated at $275,000 against a larger cost for busing (between $700,000 and $800,000 for courtesy busing, per his answers), producing a net district cost for those routes.

Administration said it will continue to refine the numbers before the final budget hearing and that the board will vote on the final budget in April.