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New Milford board highlights 30% health-benefit spike in tentative budget, approves personnel slate and transportation pilot
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Summary
Board members described a tentative 2026–27 budget that forecasts a large rise in health-benefit costs and discussed options; the board recorded approvals for minutes, a personnel slate and finance/transportation resolutions while reserving further action on contracts and pilot terms.
Board members reviewed a tentative 2026–27 budget and read language from a state audit warning that the health-benefit program’s reserves are deteriorating. A board speaker read the audit, saying the plan 'continues to deteriorate' and that reserves were 'projected to fall into a deficit of $32,000,000 by the end of this year.' Administrators told the board they were budgeting for an approximate 30% increase in health-benefit costs for part of 2027 and are exploring experience-rating or private-plan options.
The board emphasized a philosophy of minimizing direct impact on students while seeking creative partnerships and internal cost savings. Administrators noted rising utility costs (the energy line was shown increasing from $360,000 to a projected $595,000) and said many districts leaving the state plan are increasing cost pressure for those that remain.
On motions and votes, the board moved to approve the minutes of Feb. 25, 2026, and later approved a personnel slate identified by codes (P25-26.750–.782). The meeting record shows a roll-call series of affirmative responses from members present. The board also approved finance items, including a joint transportation agreement for 2026–27 (F2526.187) intended to bid nonpublic routes and consider contracting certain special-education routes to achieve efficiencies.
Administration described a capital-reserve withdrawal proposed to fund window and door replacements in the high-school cafeteria, asbestos abatement and new in-house ceiling cassette air-conditioning units, and potential locker-room renovations. The board said projects would proceed as budget and schedules allow and emphasized using district maintenance staff where feasible to contain costs.
The board opened a discussion about potential redevelopment near the ShopRite complex and a proposal that could add 300 or more apartments; members asked administrators to assemble more precise estimates of likely new student counts and encouraged public attendance at the borough council meeting on the proposal.
Votes at a glance: - Motion to approve minutes of 02/25/2026 — outcome: approved (voice vote recorded: 'Aye'). - Personnel motion P25-26.750–.782 — outcome: approved (roll-call recorded affirmative responses from members present; meeting transcript lists individual 'Yes' responses during roll call). - Resolution to submit the tentative budget to the county office (resolutions F25–26.90–0.195) — introduced for approval; board discussion indicates these will be submitted as part of the tentative-budget process. - Finance/transportation items including joint-transportation agreement (F2526.187) — outcome: motion seconded and approved (voice vote: 'Aye').
The board adjourned to closed session for personnel and student matters with no public action recorded on return. The next meeting was scheduled for April 29.
