Matuchen board approves $53.5M 2026'27 budget; typical assessed-home tax rises about $330

The Matuchen Board of Education voted on April 28 to approve the district's 2026'27 budget and related finance resolutions, including participation in an energy-savings improvement plan that includes rooftop solar. Mr. Harvey presented the fund totals and revenue breakdowns, listing the proposed general-fund appropriation at $53.5 million and total state aid at about $3.5 million.

Mr. Harvey described the components of revenue: a local tax levy, state aid, a budgeted fund balance and a transfer from capital reserves; he said salaries, health insurance and out-of-district tuition account for roughly 83% of fund 10 appropriations. On the tax impact, the administration presented the illustrative tax bill on a home assessed at $211,000: school taxes of $9,898 and an increase of about $330, which board members said equates to a 3.45% percent change on the typical assessed value used for the calculation.

Board members asked for detail on transportation and charter-school tuition lines. In discussion, members said the district expects $325,000 in transportation revenue but continues to subsidize subscription or "courtesy" busing; one board member estimated that subsidy at roughly $450,000, and another noted that a break-even subscription price would be near $1,000 per child. Mr. Harvey said federal-grant levels and some special-revenue amounts remain uncertain.

The finance items and budget passed on roll call. The board also approved contracting for energy-conservation measures and rooftop solar panels; the construction committee and administration said the projected first-year savings from the ESIP could be roughly $200,000 and that the panels, as currently drawn, could produce more than 1 million kilowatt-hours annually.

The board approved routine personnel and policy items alongside the budget during the meeting; no further public hearings were scheduled at the session to revisit the 2026'27 appropriations.