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Barnegat board approves 2026–27 budget, sets 5% tax levy after public hearing
Summary
After a public hearing and district presentation, the Barnegat Township Board of Education approved the 2026–27 final budget with a 5% tax levy. Two board members voted no; the administration said the levy preserves staff and programs and covers safety repairs and health-care obligations.
The Barnegat Township Board of Education approved its 2026–27 final budget following a public hearing and a presentation by the district’s business administrator. The board voted on the budget proposal by roll call; two members — Mister Hearn and Mister Pizarro — voted no and the motion carried.
The district presentation, delivered by Miss Van Tassel, summarized a multi‑year budgeting process and emphasized steps the administration said improve efficiency and reduce costs: bringing some out‑of‑district transportation runs back in‑house (generating approximately $1,000,000 in revenue), reducing food‑service arrears from about $89,000 to roughly $6,000, and moving technology purchases to a leasing model to smooth year‑to‑year expenditures. "We should have been awarded $3,225,385; we got capped at $1,500,000," the presenter said when describing how the state cap on aid affected the district’s revenue this year.
The administration proposed a 5% tax levy increase to meet obligations the district said are largely fixed (health benefits, contractual salaries and pension obligations) and to avoid staff or program reductions. The presenter said that, at the 5% levy, the district would not make staff reductions, would not cut extracurriculars or after‑school busing, and would fund roughly $200,000 in needed safety repairs.
During the public portion of the hearing, resident Fred Rubenstein praised the board’s decision not to pursue electric school buses (he asked whether the purchase had been canceled) and urged the district to consider in‑vehicle enforcement cameras for bus stop violations. Rubenstein also recommended the board compare costs with private transportation providers.
On the motion to adopt the final budget, the roll call showed a majority in favor and two dissenting votes. The board president announced the motion carried. The administration said next steps include finalizing the budget documents with the county and implementing planned operational changes described during the presentation.
The board moved on to routine agenda items after the vote.
