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Winslow Township Board adopts $146.99M 2026–27 budget; tax levy to rise about 11.6%
Summary
After a public hearing, the Winslow Township Board of Education adopted a 2026–27 budget that increases the local tax levy by roughly $6.4 million (about 11.6%). The budget maintains instructional spending and funds buses, technology and partial parking‑lot repaving; residents raised questions about preschool and SEMI special‑education funding.
The Winslow Township Board of Education voted April 29 to adopt its 2026–27 budget, approving the district’s operating and special‑revenue plans that combine to roughly $146.99 million and raise the local tax levy from about $55.8 million to $62.2 million, a change the presenter described as “about 11.59%.”
The budget presentation, delivered under interim superintendent Mark Pease’s oversight, showed district enrollment at the October 15, 2024 count as 4,907 students, falling to 4,798 on October 15, 2025 and projected to rise to 4,856 for October 15, 2026. The presenter said state aid for the coming year is expected near $60.2 million, with preschool aid rising to about $3.8 million; the general‑fund operating budget was presented at $135,522,019.
Nut graf: The board and administration said the plan preserves instruction while addressing rising healthcare and transportation costs. The budget increases appropriations for instruction, student support and benefits and funds capital work including four replacement buses, new textbook adoptions, technology and partial repaving of the high‑school and middle‑school parking lots (together estimated at roughly $1.1 million).
Presenter details and rationale The presenter summarized the revenue mix as state aid (about 45.5%), the local tax levy (about 46%), fund balance and tuition from other districts. He identified a $4.2 million healthcare adjustment and said the district will not withdraw capital reserve this fiscal year but will take $817,000 from the maintenance reserve to balance the plan.
Public questions and responses During the budget hearing several residents asked for clarifications. One asked whether the $4 million preschool increase would fund before‑ and after‑care; board staff offered to follow up outside the meeting. Resident and watershed volunteer Jenna Forte urged the district to consider pervious paving and offered to help pursue grant funding from sources including the NJDEP and the Great Egg Harbor Watershed Association, saying the group “can help with grant funding” to reduce stormwater runoff linked to parking‑lot projects. Another resident asked about the drop in SEMI (special‑education Medicaid) reimbursement; the presenter explained SEMI is federal reimbursement tied to parent and student participation and that the $19,963 allotment reflects current eligibility and reporting, not a reduction of core special‑education services.
Votes at a glance - Motion to adopt the Winslow Township Board of Education 2026–27 budget: carried on roll call (see action record). - Routine motions including minutes, the superintendent’s report, the business administrator/board secretary report and the personnel report were also approved during the meeting.
What the budget funds Board documents and the presentation list priorities for 2026–27: instruction (largest share), student support, transportation increases (additional bus purchases and higher routing costs), ongoing investments in technology and mental‑health services, and capital projects such as partial resurfacing of parking lots.
Next steps With adoption, the district will finalize levy calculations and post the advertised budget and supporting documents. Board and staff said they will respond to detailed public questions (student‑activity fund, preschool wraparound care and SEMI participation) by phone or email after the meeting.
