Washington Township board approves 2026–27 budget with 6.17% levy increase amid public protests

The Washington Township School District board voted 5–3 to adopt its 2026–27 budget on May 1, approving a tax-levy increase of 6.17% that includes a roughly $4.3 million health-care adjustment and uses about $7.4–7.5 million in excess surplus from 2024–25 to avoid deeper cuts.

Why it matters: District leaders said the state’s rising health-benefit costs and a multi-year decline in unrestricted reserves forced difficult choices. The budget funds planned preschool expansion and limited capital work while reducing pay-time or eliminating some staff positions; residents and union representatives said the cuts will harm students and staff morale.

Board and administration officials said the package balances immediate program needs against constrained revenue. The presenter told the board that the district’s state aid rose by about $1.5 million but that extraordinary aid has declined, and that the state health-benefit increase exceeded 30% while the district’s final increase was about 16.3%. To cover higher benefit costs, the district is requesting a health-care levy adjustment of roughly $4.3 million above the 2% cap. The presenter also said the budget includes roughly $16 million in energy projects where borrowing will be repaid through projected energy savings.

Public commenters and staff representatives urged the board to delay or redesign cuts. Patty Sekulis told the board: “After last year’s decimation of our staff, I truly did not think things could get much worse,” and urged the board to say exactly which positions will be eliminated and how class sizes will be affected. A union speaker representing WTSS SPA said, “This isn’t fiscal responsibility. It’s a slow motion demolition of our careers,” and demanded meetings with administration to clarify which workers will lose hours and how benefits will be preserved.

Administrators repeatedly emphasized that the budget does not cut health benefits. In response to worker concerns, a district official told the meeting, “There is no reduction in benefits in this budget,” and said many reductions will be handled through attrition and reassignment tied to preschool expansions. The administration estimated the headline number of position reductions (29 certificated positions and 23 noncertified positions) would translate into far fewer affected people—roughly six to eight—after accounting for retirements, reduced hours for some roles, and reassignment opportunities at the new preschool facility.

Board debate centered on long-term reserve levels and taxpayer impact. One board member said he would not support the budget, warning of continuing reserve declines, a negative Standard & Poor’s outlook, and the district’s need to address structural deficits rather than rely on surplus and recurring levy increases. Another member said voting for the budget preserved preschool seats and staff positions tied to the Wall preschool program.

The final roll call was 5 yes, 3 no (eight members voting; one member absent), and the motion to adopt the budget carried. After the vote the board approved agenda items dependent on budget passage and moved forward with negotiations and other business. Administration offered to meet with union leaders and commenters for follow-up discussions. The meeting closed after remaining agenda votes and public comments.

Next steps: Implementation of the budget proceeds with planned preschool expansion and selected capital projects (track resurfacing, limited HVAC/door work and replacement buses under lease). The administration said it will monitor the fund balance closely; board members and the public requested continued transparency about which positions will be changed and any impacts on classroom staffing.