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Pennsauken board approves tentative $181.8 million 2026–27 budget, authorizes up to $11 million from capital reserve
Summary
The Pennsauken Township Board of Education approved submission of a tentative 2026–2027 budget totaling $181,774,017 (General Fund) and authorized withdrawals from capital and maintenance reserves to pay for school construction, equipment and facility repairs.
The Pennsauken Township Board of Education approved submission of the district's tentative 2026'27 budget during its March 17 business meeting, moving to send the document to the State as required by statute.
The budget totals a $181,774,017 General Fund and a districtwide total of $192,114,072 across the General, Special Revenue and Debt Service funds, documents show. The board also requested approval to increase the healthcare cost adjustment by $1,335,692.
Why it matters: The tentative budget sets the district's spending priorities for the coming school year and triggers statutorily required county and state review before final adoption. It funds planned capital projects, staffing and instructional programs across Pennsauken's schools.
Board members approved several companion finance resolutions. The board authorized the Business Administrator/Board Secretary to withdraw up to $11,000,000 from the district's Capital Reserve account to fund a multi-part capital improvement program. The listed projects include furniture and classroom additions for Baldwin preschool and PHS STEM program, administrative-office additions, construction of a security vestibule and new HVAC, acquisition of land for a bus depot relocation, purchase of 18 new and replacement buses, and equipment such as snow-removal machinery and an articulating boom lift.
Separately, the board approved a resolution authorizing withdrawal from the Maintenance Reserve not to exceed $1,500,000 to cover facility maintenance work: asbestos floor removal and replacement, transportation and shop garage door replacements, asphalt and sealcoating work, PHS restroom and ceiling repairs, door access-control upgrades (20 entrances) and gym divider replacements.
The board also ratified multiple contract and purchase approvals tied to capital and instructional priorities, including: - Payment Application #12 for the PHS Magnet School Addition to Nacom Companies, $604,407.50; noted balance to finish and retainage remains. - Payment Application #7 for the Pre-K addition and alterations to Baldwin Early Childhood Learning Center (Arthur J. Ogren, Inc.), $536,305.00. - Contracts with CM3 Building Solutions for Telecor public address systems: Fine Elementary ($312,250) and Pennsauken High School ($657,495). - Pennsauken High School theater audio upgrade with PureTek Group not to exceed $555,203.16. - Purchase of AI dashcams and fleet management services from Motive Technologies, Inc., $73,440; purchase of security cameras for the administration building, $34,530.43. - An HVAC equipment contract with Trane US, Inc., not to exceed $959,200 for the administration building (listed in the addendum).
Board action: The meeting recorded an omnibus motion approving agenda items 2'70 (with items 5 and 6 tabled) and amending item 52 as noted; the motion carried. Those approvals encompassed the budget submission and the large capital and contract items above.
Next steps: The Board Secretary was authorized to submit the tentative budget to the State of New Jersey for review. The tentative budget will be subject to county and state review and may be revised before final adoption later in the budget calendar.
