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Kinnelon board approves $51.48 million tentative budget with 2% tax levy
Summary
The Kinnelon Board of Education voted March 18 to approve a $51,476,943 tentative operating budget for 2026–27 that proposes a 2% tax levy increase (about $849,000) and withdraws $1.1 million from the capital reserve; personnel items and a FAPE resolution were also approved.
The Kinnelon Board of Education voted March 18 to adopt a tentative $51,476,943 operating budget for the 2026–27 school year that includes a proposed 2% tax levy increase, the superintendent said.
"So our total operating budget, if approved, is $51,476,943," the Superintendent said during the board's preliminary budget presentation, adding the levy line represents a roughly $849,000 change and a total proposed levy of $43,335,944.
The budget presentation outlined revenue sources the district plans to use to balance the plan, including a proposed $1,100,000 withdrawal from the capital reserve and a $554,000 budgeted fund balance. The superintendent also said the district is planning around a health-benefit waiver that will accrue over coming years and flagged continuing contract negotiations that have influenced assumptions on salary increases.
Board members discussed options the district considered to close gaps, such as schedule adjustments and a potential reduction in courtesy bussing, and were told some items already were removed from Fund 11, the superintendent said. He warned that staffing changes are a possibility and said the district does not intend to replace certain positions as part of balancing the budget.
Capital and operational priorities listed in the presentation include high-school bathroom renovations ($265,000), auditorium electrical and lighting upgrades ($260,000), outdoor covered learning space upgrades, and modest allocations for art-room relocation and paving projects. Technology and curricular investments were also described, including continued 1:1 device planning and a $25,000 line for a new culinary arts program.
After the presentation the board moved to approve the tentative budget, the maximum travel reimbursement amounts and the planned capital-reserve withdrawal. The motion passed on a roll-call vote with all members present voting "Yes." Caitlin conducted the roll call.
The board also approved a package of personnel items — including a reduction in force and several appointments and co-curricular assignments — and a separate resolution concerning FAPE (Free Appropriate Public Education), each by recorded vote.
Next steps: the tentative budget will be forwarded for county review and the public budget hearing and board presentation is scheduled for the April 28 public meeting, the Superintendent said.
