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Ridgewood schools propose 3.78% levy increase to cover steep health‑benefit costs
Summary
Superintendent Dr. Schwarz presented a tentative 2026–27 budget that would raise the school tax levy 3.78%—about $500 a year on an average assessed home—to absorb large health‑insurance increases and shrinking state/local revenue; board scheduled a tentative‑budget vote for Monday.
Dr. Schwarz, the district superintendent, said the proposal is a tentative budget for discussion and not a final vote, and that its primary driver is a sharp rise in employee health‑benefit costs. "There is such a demand on this budget to be strong," he told the board, explaining the administration used a conservative projection for next‑year health premiums and a zero‑based budgeting approach.
The administration presented a proposed 3.78% increase in the school portion of the tax levy—comprised of the regular 2% baseline plus a 1.78% allowance for health‑benefit pressures. Dr. Schwarz said the school portion of the increase would add roughly…
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