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Edison Township Board approves 0% tax-increase budget while drawing on reserves
Summary
The Edison Township Board of Education approved a budget with a 0% tax increase in a 5–3 roll-call vote after a public hearing that raised concerns about using roughly $16.9 million in fund balance and about withdrawing up to $22 million from capital reserves to cover reduced state aid.
The Edison Township Board of Education approved its fiscal 2025 budget with a 0% tax increase after a 5–3 roll-call vote, despite public concern about tapping reserves to close gaps left by reduced state aid.
During the public comment portion of the budget hearing, resident Brian Rivera urged the board not to rely on one-time reserve withdrawals. “I don’t think that taking 22 million out of our capital … is the right way to go,” Rivera said, asking how student services and facilities would be preserved without new revenue.
District administrators responded that the budget keeps current programs and school-based budgets intact, that class sizes were not increased and that the board used a one-time unassigned fund balance of about $16.9 million to offset reductions in state aid. The administration said capital reserves are being used in legally restricted ways for property, plant and equipment needs and described limits on discretionary spending.
Board members debated the trade-offs before the vote. Several members said the board has a duty to limit taxpayer burden and praised the administration’s ability to preserve programs this year; others said relying on reserves risks forced cuts if aid or revenue falls again. “We promised 0% for families during hard times,” said one board member who announced a planned no vote, while other members said a flat tax rate helps households now and that the overall budget increased by $11 million this year.
At roll call the motion carried with Mr. Erico, Mr. Ronak Patel, Miss Angina Patel, Miss Shannon Pang and President Chi voting yes; Mr. Lugo, Mr. Romano and Miss White voted no. The administration said there will be no layoffs and that insurance and emergency reserves exist to address catastrophic events.
Next steps: the approved budget will be forwarded as required and the board said it will monitor reserves and the district’s fiscal position during the coming audit cycle. Administrators also noted that banked cap provisions could allow future levy increases if needed to rebuild reserves.
