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Robbinsville schools propose $2.4M in cuts after failed funding question; AVID, clubs and some sports targeted
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Summary
After a March 10 referendum failed, the Robbinsville Board of Education reviewed a tentative 2026–27 budget with roughly $2.4 million in reductions that administrators say will eliminate the AVID program districtwide, cut mental-health contracts and reduce clubs, JV sports and courtesy busing; the board approved one personnel item after executive session.
The Robbinsville Board of Education on March 24 reviewed a tentative 2026–27 budget that administrators said would trim about $2.4 million and require 15 staff reductions after a March 10 public question failed. Superintendent Dr. Pizzo told the board, “The public question was not approved,” and warned that reductions that had previously been discussed now move from possibility to reality.
Assistant Superintendent and board secretary Mr. McCreese told the board the cuts include the elimination of the AVID program at all schools, reductions to technology and building budgets, and a more than $400,000 reduction in contracted mental-health tier‑3 supports. “We had to cut 2,400,000.0 out of the budget,” he said, and described specific reductions: one administrator position, five part‑time instructional aides and nine certificated staff positions overall.
Why it matters: administrators and board members said the cuts will directly affect student programs and supports. McCreese said interventions at the middle school will be limited, class sizes will grow across the district and electives and clubs will be reduced. He estimated that roughly 208 middle‑school athletes and about 115 high‑school athletes would be affected by the sports reductions; the district plans to eliminate all middle‑school JV sports and remove several high‑school offerings, including golf and swim.
The presentation included specific mitigation ideas: the district is seeking a 501(c)(3) to accept and manage donations, exploring subscription busing at $13.50 per student to replace some courtesy routes and considering parent fundraising to preserve some clubs and supplies. McCreese said the district plans to use about $479,000 of maintenance reserve for urgent summer HVAC and building work and to pull $4,000,000 from capital reserve toward a ROD grant project at the high school that is expected to return about 40% in state reimbursement.
Administrators told the board that the mental‑health reduction will remove three of four contracted clinicians who support about 55 students for tier‑3 services. Dr. Pizzo and McCreese warned that continued year‑to‑year structural deficits could force further cuts in the second year if state or legislative relief does not materialize; they said they are meeting with the mayor and state legislators and have drafted a joint letter seeking options, including a refinancing proposal under consideration at the Statehouse.
Formal action and next steps: the board will submit the tentative budget to the county and present a final budget on April 28. After an executive session on personnel, the board approved a temporary counselor appointment (personnel H2A) by roll call (one abstention; one member absent). McCreese said final staffing decisions and names will be determined in the coming weeks and that the county review could require further adjustments.
Board members and administrators emphasized the district’s intent to preserve classroom instruction where possible, while acknowledging that some student services and extracurriculars will be reduced in year one unless outside funding or state relief is secured.
