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Marlboro Township board adopts tentative 2026–27 budget with 7.77% levy increase
Summary
After extended public comment and discussion about rising health-benefit costs, the Marlboro Township Board of Education approved a tentative 2026–27 budget that the administration said reflects a 7.77% tax levy increase (2% levy cap plus a 5.77% health-benefit adjustment). The board approved the budget 5–2 and will finalize contracting and state submissions in coming weeks.
The Marlboro Township Board of Education on Monday approved a tentative 2026–27 school budget that the administration said will result in a 7.77% recommended tax levy increase, a figure the superintendent described as the combination of the district’s 2% allowable levy cap and a 5.77% state health-benefit adjustment.
Superintendent Malone, who presented the budget and answered audience questions, said the health-benefit adjustment equates to roughly $5.1 million and is the primary driver of the larger-than-usual levy recommendation. "That together makes the 7.77% increase," Malone said during the presentation, adding that board and staff efforts identified about $2.1 million in reductions—across curriculum, staffing reallocations, facilities and other line items—to reach the 2% baseline before state aid and health-benefit adjustments.
Why it matters: The budget vote affects local property-tax bills and the district’s fiscal runway. Malone said the recommended levy translates to about $390 in additional tax payments on an average assessed home for the year, and he repeatedly cautioned that smaller, one-time savings would compound into larger structural shortfalls if the district declined the 2% baseline in future years.
What was discussed: Malone outlined cuts and trade-offs the administration made to avoid layoffs while remaining within the district’s stated priorities. He named examples: deferring about $400,000 in curriculum/Textbook purchases, approximately $900,000 in savings through staffing reallocations tied to retirements and resignations, a $200,000 facilities reduction and other shifts that total roughly $2.1 million. He also updated the board on referendum bid activity for a planned HVAC project, saying two bids came in under the budgeted amount and the district plans to evaluate and award at the April 21 meeting.
Public reaction: Dozens of residents spoke during the public-comment period. Some, while acknowledging rising health-benefit costs, urged deeper scrutiny of discretionary spending and more public debate before a final vote. "It's like getting hit twice," said one resident, referring to a prior regional tax increase plus this year’s projected increase. Another resident asked whether the district had pursued aggressive shopping of health plans, suggested zero-based budgeting and asked whether contracted transportation routes could be consolidated to save costs.
Board decision: After public comment and board discussion about state aid, capital reserves and the budget’s structural implications, the board approved the budget with a recorded roll call: Gandhi, Hyatt, Jankowski, Smith and Carrero voted yes; Lelonsky and Balomo voted no. The board approved related financial resolutions that authorize the district to finalize budget documents and submit them to the county and state as required.
Next steps: Administration will finalize contract review paperwork for the referendum bids and return to the board with recommended awards on April 21. Malone said the district will continue to monitor capital reserves, report to the county on the District Improvement Plan (DIP) for the identified Grade 2 standard and post required documents for public review.
The board meeting continued with other agenda items and moved into executive session at the end of the public session; no additional public action on the budget was scheduled immediately following executive session.
