South River board proposes $65.12 million 2026–27 budget; taps expiring "bank cap" and plans modest tax increase

The South River Board of Education presented a $65,124,374 tentative budget for the 2026–27 school year that would rely on expiring "bank cap" funds, sustain current staff and programs, and raise taxes on an average assessed household by about $39.61 per month, officials said.

Superintendent Dr. Zirchir, who led the presentation, said the budget was developed over months with administration, the finance committee and stakeholders and is organized in three parts: the process used to build the budget, new initiatives for 2026–27, and the financial technicals to be reviewed by the business administrator.

The budget prioritizes keeping class sizes and instructional programs intact, maintaining mental-health supports and safety measures, and preserving staffing levels. Dr. Zirchir said the district is using partnerships with county co-ops to lower procurement costs and noted planned additions such as a primary-school mental-health clinician, an extra custodian for the preschool annex and continued evening security officers.

Officials said the district will fund several new academic and…