Hillsborough board approves tentative 2% school tax-levy direction after divided vote

The Hillsborough Township Board of Education voted 5–4 to approve a tentative 2026–2027 budget direction that proposes a 2% increase in the district's general-fund tax levy. The vote on agenda item 13.1 followed a multi-hour presentation and an extended exchange among board members and public commenters.

Superintendent Dr. Volpe framed the proposal as a recommendation, telling the board, “I am recommending that the board take the $2,800,000. I think there's a lot that can be done with that for long term financial stability.” Administrators and the district business official described the 2% levy as roughly $2.8 million in additional levy revenue for the general fund and said it would be used to maintain staff, cover health-insurance increases and fund multi-year capital work.

The business office presentation, given by Mr. Eckert, laid out revenue and expenditure drivers: the general fund is projected to increase by about $6.0 million in 2026–27, total proposed spending was shown as approximately $182,748,175, state aid was listed as reduced by about $1.52 million (including the loss of a $1 million one-time incentive grant), and the draft budget relies in part on a capital-reserve withdrawal the presentation quantified as $66,750,000 for listed capital projects. Mr. Eckert also identified major expense items: salary and benefits (about 76% of the general fund), a reported health-insurance increase of roughly 19%, utility and insurance cost increases, and 29 recommended new positions including kindergarten teachers and supervisors.

Board members split over whether to direct administrators to enter a 0% or 2% levy as the working parameter for the tentative budget. Supporters of the 2% direction, including Miss Nurse and Mr. Marini, argued the modest increase would preserve recent gains in staffing and facilities and avoid larger spikes in later years. “That 2% budget delivers $5,700,000 in savings this year, more than what the actual increase is because we're not taking the waiver,” said Henry Goodhue of the Hillsborough Education Association during public comment, echoing the district's argument for stability.

Opponents, including Miss Stetsz and Mr. Ehrenkrantz, emphasized affordability for residents and the lingering impact of last year's larger tax increase. Resident Steve Sloan told the board, “We're looking at a $994 per year tax impact on the average home,” and urged delay or further scrutiny of capital projects such as the proposed transportation facility.

When the board voted, the roll call was: Herndcrantz (no); Jackson (no); Craig (yes); Lonnie Bueter (yes); Marini (yes); Nurse (yes); Stetsz (no); Rio (no); Davis (yes). The motion to approve the superintendent's tentative 2% budget direction passed 5–4. Board members and administrators repeatedly noted the action tonight sets a tentative direction; the final budget will be discussed again and formally adopted at the April 30 public hearing.

Next steps specified in the presentation: the business office will submit the tentative budget to the executive county superintendent for review, advertise the budget in advance of the public hearing, and post a user-friendly version of the approved budget on the district website within 48 hours of final approval. The board also heard multiple public comments urging both restraint and investment; administrators answered questions about how line items could be adjusted between the tentative and final budgets.

The meeting record shows the board's approval of the tentative budget does not finalize line-item spending; the public hearing on April 30 remains the forum for any modifications the board decides to make before final adoption.