Princeton Board of Education adopts 2026 budget with 4.33% levy increase; passes 9–1

The Princeton Board of Education on April 21 adopted its 2026 budget after a public hearing and a roll‑call vote that passed 9–1.

The district presenter, identified in remarks as Dr. Susan, told the board the operating budget and tax levy are unchanged from the version presented in March but the district faced about a $750,000 shortfall that administrators addressed through a mix of staffing changes, service cancellations and new fees. "The budget in the aggregate has not changed at all. The operating budget is the same as we presented in March," the presenter said during the hearing.

Why this matters: the budget sets the district’s tax levy and spending priorities for the coming school year and includes structural changes intended to preserve classroom programs while trimming costs.

What the board approved: administrators described several measures to balance the plan, including elementary sectioning adjustments (reducing one section at Littlebrook and reshaping Community Park kindergarten/first‑grade enrollments), abolishing or reclassifying some support positions, bringing some contracted reading services in‑house, and pausing select subscriptions and vendor contracts. The district estimated roughly $350,000 in savings from sectioning changes, about $240,000 from attrition and position reshuffling, and about $150,000 from nonrenewal of certain services; it also budgeted roughly $200,000 in new activity‑fee revenue.

Tax impact and funding drivers: staff said the average assessed home (cited as about $854,000) would see an annual increase of roughly $478, and the board cited a levy increase of about 4.33%. The presenters pointed to sharply rising health‑insurance costs as a major driver of the increase.

Dissent and explanation: Board member Adam Bierman cast the lone no vote and used his turn to explain his reasoning. "My vote is largely symbolic," he said, acknowledging improvements in fiscal processes but expressing concern about affordability and economic diversity in Princeton. He warned that continued tax increases threaten the town’s economic diversity and said future contract negotiations will be critical.

Vote: The clerk recorded the motion as passing on a 9–1 roll call.

Next steps: The budget adoption finalizes the tax levy and overall operating budget; administrators said staffing and program details may be adjusted later if enrollment or unexpected circumstances require changes.

Authority and procedure: Board discussion and the public hearing followed requirements cited from the Open Public Meetings Act and references during the meeting to NJSA 18A:38‑8.1 regarding sending‑district voting rules.