Vineland Board of Education reviews $246.7 million proposed budget, seeks 6% tax‑rate increase

The Vineland Board of Education heard a presentation of the proposed 2026–27 school district budget, which would raise the district tax rate by roughly 6% and set the tax levy at $37,422,355.

Scott Musterell, the district’s school business administrator, told the board the total general fund would be $217,912,076 and that grants add to a total budget of $246,660,023, an increase of almost $8 million from the current year. "I'm here to present the 2627 proposed school district budget," Musterell said as he opened the overview of revenues and appropriations.

Why it matters: the proposal would raise the tax-rate component of local school funding and shift spending across instruction, special education and facilities while relying heavily on state aid. Musterell said state aid comprises roughly 76% of district revenues and that salaries and benefits make up about 72.9% of total expenditures.

Musterell detailed key figures: projected enrollment for next year is 9,435, down from 9,660; the district’s proposed tax levy is $37,422,355 based on a tax rate of 0.9111; and the state-calculated “fair share” figure the district…