Edison Township Board adopts $378M FY2026 budget, holds levy flat at $235M

The Edison Township Board of Education on April 29 adopted a fiscal year 2026 spending plan that keeps the local school tax levy flat at $235 million while increasing total appropriations to cover projected costs and planned capital work.

Superintendent Dr. Edward Alderelli opened the budget discussion by describing the spending plan as “a financial representation of what we value as a community,” highlighting investments in facilities, student supports and new program pathways. Business administrator Mr. Toth told the public the budget reflects a $2.9 million cut in state aid and relies on restricted capital reserves and prior-year underspending as one-time revenue to balance the plan.

At a public hearing prior to the vote, residents pushed the board on whether withdrawing $22 million from capital reserves would leave the district exposed in future years and questioned whether special-education services would be reduced. Elizabeth Conway, a former special-education teacher, said she was "still very concerned about the budget" and sought clarification about how much remained in the capital reserve after the proposed withdrawals. Administration responded that the capital withdrawals align with the district’s long-range facilities plan and that the FY2026 budget includes no cuts to special-education staffing; the superintendent and business administrator said some uses of the reserves fund one-time capital projects rather than recurring operating costs.

After public comments, the board moved to adopt the budget. The recorded roll call was: Mr. Erico — yes; Mr. Ron Patel — yes; Mr. Lugo — no; Mr. Romano — no; Miss White — abstain; Mr. Vichel Patel — yes; President She — yes. The tally (4 yes, 2 no, 1 abstention) met the requirement for approval under applicable state law.

The board and administration said the district will post detailed line-item budget documents online and continue to brief the public on capital projects, including planned expansions at John Marshall and James Madison intermediate schools. Board members and the administration also discussed financing strategies for upcoming projects — including use of reserves combined with short-term borrowing — and noted that a referendum was not being pursued for the JMI expansion.

The board’s approval allows the district to submit its final budget documents to the state on schedule. The administration said it will host additional budget review sessions and make detailed budget spreadsheets available on the district website for residents to review.

Action recorded: the FY2026 budget was adopted by recorded majority vote; the administration will post detailed budget exhibits online and the finance committee will review any follow-up questions before the statutory submission deadline.