Freehold Township board approves tentative $94.9 million budget after $372,000 state‑aid boost

The Freehold Township School District Board of Education on March 24 approved a tentative $94.9 million budget after a detailed presentation from School Business Administrator and Board Secretary Robert Davita that outlined a $372,000 increase in state aid and adjustments to staffing, reserves and special‑education spending.

Davita certified the district’s financial position, saying, “I, Robert Davita, school business administrator slash board secretary, certifies that as of 02/28/2026, no line item has been overexpended,” and walked the board through changes since the March 10 presentation. He told members the district had received an additional $372,000 in state aid and recommended directing portions of that money to out‑of‑district tuition, natural‑gas costs and other pressure points in the budget.

Why it matters: the tentative budget frames next year’s district operations and services while also locking in a tax‑levy increase the administrator said would raise the district portion of the average homeowner’s bill by about $270 a year. The board must file supporting documents with the county and return to adopt a final budget on April 28.

Key budget details explained at the meeting included: - State aid: an identified increase of $372,000 compared with prior estimates; Davita cautioned the district is still not fully funded and that enrollment declines could reduce future aid. - Out‑of‑district tuition: the administration recommended adding $140,000 to that line to cover anticipated placements; Davita described one case where a receiving district submitted a tuition contract for roughly $80,000 for the remainder of this school year and about $40,000 for next year while residency is resolved. - Energy and reserves: Davita recommended adding $64,000 to the natural‑gas line because recent bills were higher than projected and proposed withdrawing $30,000 from the emergency reserve to purchase a new server for the district camera system, a use permitted under emergency‑reserve rules for security purposes. - Staffing and cuts: the administration outlined personnel changes driven by enrollment declines, including the proposed reduction of one instructional coach, seven teachers, one preschool section, one secretary and the custodial supervisor. Earlier projections for nine new part‑time teaching assistants were reduced to four, and Davita reiterated the district’s planned staffing and non‑mandated cuts totaling approximately $1.5 million and $450,000 respectively. - Cost drivers: Davita highlighted an anticipated 20% increase in health‑care costs (noting a $3.4 million waiver impact), roughly $800,000 of additional appropriations for special education and out‑of‑district placements, and potential 20% increases in property/casualty and workers’ compensation insurance.

Neil Gargiulo, finance committee chair, summarized construction and capital work tied to last year’s referendum and flagged upcoming projects including parking‑lot work and bus‑depot trailers. Davita said roofs should be replaced this summer or early fall, after which the district will explore a power‑purchase agreement for solar panels to reduce long‑term electric costs.

Board action: the board voted to approve the listed finance items, which included the tentative budget resolution. The president called for the voice vote and recorded unanimous approval with no abstentions; roll‑call attendees were recorded earlier in the meeting. The administration will submit budget documentation to the county and present the final budget to the board on April 28.

The meeting then moved into an executive session to discuss pending or anticipated contract negotiations with FTAA and TWU; the board indicated no public action would follow the 40‑minute closed session.

Next steps: the district will file tentative‑budget paperwork with the county, continue to refine figures before the April 28 adoption meeting, and bring forward any necessary amendments based on updated grant, enrollment or aid information.