North Brunswick board adopts 2025-26 budget, board says tax levy rise limited to about 2.5%

The North Brunswick Township Board of Education voted unanimously April 30 to adopt the fiscal year 2025-26 budget after a final presentation from district leadership.

Superintendent Shuroka reviewed the budget drivers and priorities before the vote, telling the board the district faced a 3% state aid cut, a roughly 12% increase in health benefits costs and negotiated contract increases for staff. She summarized the district's approach to balancing those pressures: using reserves where appropriate, applying a state health benefits waiver, and prioritizing instructional materials and supports that include a K'2 benchmark rollout and expanded curricular materials for grades 5'9.

On revenues and expenses, the presentation said salaries and benefits remain the dominant share of appropriations (about 71.6%). The superintendent noted that, after accounting for debt reductions and the permitted health benefits waiver, the district's tax levy impact would equate to an approximate 2.5% increase for taxpayers. "When you do the math ... the taxes are only going up 2.5%," the superintendent said.

Following the presentation the board opened and then closed the public comment period on the budget; no members of the public spoke on the item. The board moved and seconded the motion to adopt the budget as submitted to and approved by the New Jersey Department of Education; a roll call recorded "yes" votes from Mr. Ali, Mr. Carter, Miss James, Miss Keefe, Dr. Patel, Mr. Singh, Miss Toth and Mr. Wen (recorded in the transcript as Mr. W), and the motion passed.

The board then approved routine business items, including prior meeting minutes and a multi-item consent agenda covering personnel, curriculum and finance items. The meeting concluded without closed-session items and was adjourned.