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Resident urges early public release of Secaucus budget and flags low state assessment results
Summary
A resident asked the district to publish the proposed 2026-27 budget before adoption and pressed the board on recent state assessment proficiency rates; the superintendent said the district will review how it presents budget information and maintain instructional priorities.
At the April 26 Secaucus Board of Education meeting, a resident and parent asked the board to release the proposed 2026-27 budget publicly before the April 26 meeting and to hold a special meeting for public comment. Anthony Grenier submitted written correspondence and reiterated those requests during public comment.
Grenier cited state and district assessment figures that were released this year and the LinkIt benchmark numbers presented at the meeting. He read proficiency rates reported for several grades — for example, Grade 4 English at 51.8% and Grade 8 Math at 36.3% — and said district ELA proficiency from Form A to Form B looked to have declined from 49% to 46% in some comparisons. "I write these emails to get answers because the community deserves answers," Grenier said.
The business administrator read Grenier's April 1 correspondence requesting earlier posting of budget documents and a special comment meeting; the letter also referenced New Jersey statute section "18A:7F-38D" (statutory levy adjustments cited in the correspondence) and suggested the district pursue grant-writing support. The letter asked the district to explain any use of statutory levy adjustments for increased health care and pension costs.
Interim Superintendent Dr. Toback said the district follows its long-standing budget development process but that the board will review how budget information is presented and consider adding milestones and greater transparency. He said the board insisted during development that instructional programs and opportunities be protected and described typical administrative strategies for cost reductions, such as not refilling positions left vacant by retirements. He also said the district planned a joint town-hall on April 30 to review shared-services options and budgeting timelines.
No formal vote on the budget was held at the meeting. The administration said it would continue to post materials and work on public outreach; residents requested direct public responses to questions raised in the written correspondence.
