New Providence Board approves budget package, moves plan to county for review

The New Providence Board of Education voted to approve agenda items 1 through 7 of its proposed budget at a March 12, 2026 public meeting, advancing the proposal to the county Department of Education for review.

Committee member (the board member who moved the motion) said during the meeting, "I'd like to move to approve, items 1 through 7 as listed below," and summarized the plan as a 4.28% spending increase over the 2025–26 school year budget. The committee member said the district plans to use the health benefits cap adjustment permitted by law and that state aid fell by 3%, which the committee member quantified as $94,127. He added the proposal would result in a tax increase for the average household of 3.34%, or approximately $328 per year.

The committee member said approval of items 1–7 allows the proposed budget to be submitted to the county Department of Education for review. The transcript record indicates the board scheduled a full budget presentation, public hearing and adoption for April 30, 2026.

A roll-call vote was held. The transcript records affirmative votes from Miss Castellana, Dr. Epstein Hayden, Miss Gunderman, Miss Calais and Missus Miranda. The motion carried and the board approved the package as recorded.

The budget vote was taken as part of the board's regular meeting. The chair noted that meetings requiring a closed session will begin no later than 9:30 p.m. and reiterated that the regular meeting previously scheduled for March 12, 2026 was canceled and rescheduled for March 19, 2026 at 7:00 p.m. at the New Providence High School media center.

The board will return to the public portion of the meeting after any closed-session discussions and will offer the public an opportunity to be heard before adjournment.