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Board delays budget vote as Bernards Township faces rising health costs and lower extraordinary aid
Summary
Finance committee reported delayed state aid figures and projected health‑benefit increases (about 25%); members said extraordinary‑aid funding has fallen from roughly 90% to about 50% of eligible costs over four years, producing a multi‑million‑dollar gap and prompting the board to postpone initial budget action until state figures arrive.
At its March 9 meeting the Bernards Township School District Board of Education was told the district must delay initial budget action after the state postponed final New Jersey aid figures needed for budget adoption.
Dave, a finance committee member, told the board that the committee reviewed district‑specific financial pressures and statewide trends and that health‑benefit costs are expected to rise significantly next year. "Key pressures include health benefit costs are rising significantly across the state with most districts projecting increases of approximately 25% for the coming year," he said.
Committee members also noted a steep decline in extraordinary‑aid funding for special‑education costs: "That percentage has reduced each year for the past 4 years by about 10%... It's down to about 50 of eligible costs from 90% in a 4 year period," Dave said, adding the shift has materially increased the district's unfunded burden for students requiring extraordinary services.
Board members said the combination of lower state aid and higher health‑benefit costs could create a multi‑million‑dollar gap in the preliminary 2027 budget; one board member estimated the shortfall could be in the range of $4 million. Because state aid figures are not finalized, the board moved the initial budget vote to the next meeting so staff and the finance committee can present final numbers and levy scenarios.
The finance committee also reported one response to a request for proposals to sell advertising on the varsity athletic field; the submission is under legal review. No levy figure or final budget amount was adopted at the meeting.
Board members encouraged community advocacy to state legislators on funding formulas. The board plans to continue analysis and present updated budget materials at its next meeting.
