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…