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Wood‑Ridge Board of Education adopts 2026–27 budget with modest increase
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Summary
After a presentation on enrollment growth and revenue sources, the Wood‑Ridge Board of Education approved its 2026–27 budget, a roughly 1.35% overall increase that relies largely on local tax levy and uses leftover 2014 referendum funds to reduce debt-service costs.
The Wood‑Ridge Board of Education on Tuesday approved its proposed 2026–27 budget after a detailed presentation from a district staff presenter who outlined enrollment projections, revenue sources and spending priorities.
The presenter said the board’s proposed general‑fund local tax levy for the year is $23,774,058 and that a separate preschool education levy totals $897,868. The presenter described an overall budget increase of about 1.35% and said the district is projecting total enrollment (including out‑of‑district students) of roughly 1,465 in 2627.
Why it matters: the budget funds classroom services, additional special‑education staff and instructional materials while seeking to limit impacts on taxpayers. The presenter emphasized that about 89% of the district’s revenue comes from local sources and that the district used leftover bond funds from a 2014 referendum to reduce the debt‑service obligation this year.
Key details: the presenter listed main revenue items as tuition ($2,288,831), a $342,000 planned transfer from fund balance, a $349,435 transfer from maintenance reserves and a $386,183 transfer from capital improvements tied to the 2014 referendum. The presenter noted that extraordinary state aid is projected but not finalized and that the district is budgeting conservatively for those amounts.
On costs and priorities, the presenter said salaries are budgeted at roughly a 3% contractual increase, benefits at about 2.8%, and that transportation costs are expected to rise because of increased out‑of‑district placements and inflation. To offset some costs, the district joined a Joint Health Insurance Fund, which the presenter said will “save us well over 1,000,000 dollars.” He also described purchasing cooperatives and shared services—South Bergen Joint Commission and ACES—as ongoing savings measures.
The budget presentation reviewed recent capital work, including completion of the Highland Avenue Learning Annex and a new gymnasium at the Doyle School, and outlined staffing additions: two additional special‑education teachers at the Doyle School, one at the intermediate school, one at the high school, and a social worker to support the preschool program. The presenter also said the district has allocated funds for new social studies and science textbooks for K–8.
The board approved the budget and associated routine finance resolutions in a roll‑call vote during the consent agenda. The meeting record shows multiple finance and contract renewals approved as part of the resolution package, including renewal agreements for transportation and vendor services and certification of a balanced budget.
What’s next: the presenter said final extraordinary aid amounts may change after state submissions later in spring; the board approved the budget as recorded and will proceed with the fiscal year under the adopted plan.
