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West Windsor-Plainsboro previews 2026–27 budget, flags large health-care and special-education cost increases
Summary
District finance leaders told the board the preliminary 2026–27 budget faces roughly $12.74 million in increased expenses driven by health-care (~$6.1M), salary and special-education costs; administrators said ESIP2 energy projects and solar carports should reduce long-term energy costs but require upfront capital reserve payments.
West Windsor-Plainsboro Regional School District administrators on Tuesday presented a preliminary 2026–27 budget that shows sharp near-term cost pressures, chiefly a roughly $6.1 million increase in health-care costs and a $1.75 million rise in special-education spending.
"What's a school budget? A school budget is a theory about our priorities for our students," Dr. Christopher Russo, the district's assistant superintendent for finance, told the board as he outlined revenues, legal limits on tax levies and projected deltas versus the current year. Russo said the district's preliminary budget shows a total delta of about $12.74 million compared with 2025–26.
Why it matters: board and administration leaders said escaping short-term cuts will depend on federal and state aid and a series of negotiated and operational choices. "Everything costs more, and funds cannot cover expenses," Superintendent Dr. Aderhold summarized during the discussion.
Major cost drivers and numbers
- Health care: Administrato…
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