Voorhees board adopts 2025–26 budget, approves $680,004.72 in capital projects

The Voorhees Township Board of Education unanimously adopted its final 2025–26 budget on a motion after a public hearing, the board announced. The budget keeps the tax levy increase at 2% while using reserves and reshaped capital financing to balance expenditures.

At the public hearing, the district business official, Miss Haley, outlined revenue and expense drivers and noted, "This year, our our total state aid is $5,249,002.55," an increase of $220,007.67 from the prior year. Haley said that although a one‑time stabilization aid received last year did not recur, the state funding formula this year was run without adjustments and that projected enrollment changes could affect future aid.

The board approved the advertised general fund of about $64,000,003 and a total district budget near $73,000,006. The district manager said the general fund decreased by $635,001.42 compared with the prior year after backing out capital projects, and described steps including financing long‑life assets (HVAC, textbooks, computers) over their useful lives and consolidating some kindergarten bus routes to reduce costs.

Separately, the board approved a $680,004.72 withdrawal from capital reserve for a set of projects described in the required statement: security cameras and systems ($83,000), door hardware and security enhancements ($475,000), and a playground upgrade ($122,004.72) at Crescent to be split‑funded. The presenter said maintenance and capital reserves were reduced to preserve minimum balances (capital reserve kept at no less than $2,000,000; maintenance reserve down to $500,000) and that emergency reserve use was limited to allowable items such as health‑care increases.

Board members opened the floor to public questions during the hearing; one commenter requested a line‑item budget and a detailed breakdown of door hardware versus full door replacements. The district responded that the advertised budget lists all appropriation lines and that a user‑friendly version of the budget would be published for public review. The presenter recommended an OPRA request for internal, location‑level purchase order detail.

The motion to adopt the final budget and accompanying resolution passed by voice and online vote. The board also approved routine items tied to the budget process, including change orders and ROD‑grant projects required to advance boiler and HVAC work.

Looking ahead, the district said it will rely on posted budgets and planned public outreach about changes such as consolidated kindergarten transportation; multiple informational sessions were scheduled for parents.