Board approves $352M budget with 6% tax levy amid heated pleas to keep preschool expansion

The Edison Township Board of Education on April 28 approved an operating budget of about $352 million that raises the local tax levy about 6% for the coming school year, after a nightlong hearing marked by passionate public comment and multiple procedural votes.

Superintendent Dr. Alderelli and Business Administrator Mr. Toth presented the revised budget as a narrower alternative to an initial 12% proposal, arguing the 6% plan reduces community impact while protecting core instruction. "This budget ... will result in a 6% increase," Dr. Alderelli said, adding the district trimmed planned spending through "a series of program and operational adjustments," including "staffing reductions in approximately 80 positions." Mr. Toth summarized the numbers: "We have an operating budget of $352 million, of which the local tax levy is about $249 million," and said salaries and benefits make up roughly three-quarters of the spending.

Why the vote mattered: Residents and partners urged the board to preserve the state preschool expansion program and questioned specific line items in the budget. Dozens of speakers, including private preschool partners and early-childhood educators, warned that eliminating the preschool expansion would set children back academically. "You are literally going to put hundreds of children in this district behind," Adam Glenn, CEO of the JCC of Middlesex County, told the board. Others pressed the board to explain apparent increases in central-office staffing, textbooks and supplies, and employee health benefits.

On the board floor: After public comment the board moved to adopt the budget. On roll call the motion carried 5–3 (yes: Mr. Azerella, Mr. Ronak Patel, Miss Angina Patel, Miss Pang, President Vishel Patel; no: Mr. Ero, Mr. Lugo, Miss White). The vote approves the operating plan as presented; board members and staff noted the budget will require continued monitoring as state aid and costs fluctuate.

State preschool grant and local share: The agenda included a separate, contested procedural item on whether to accept state preschool expansion aid. Board members and administration clarified that accepting the grant would obligate the district for a local share—Mr. Toth estimated the district's local responsibility at roughly $3.75 million. That local share, the administration said, would need to be included in the operating budget and cannot be funded by capital reserve dollars.

What residents said: Speakers who run or partner with preschool programs emphasized that preschool is an investment, not a burden. "High-quality preschool is not optional. It's essential to addressing these needs early and effectively," Luciana, a preschool co-director, told the board. Other residents pressed for transparent explanations of budget line items, questioned new administrative roles and requested a clearer accounting of subscription-busing losses.

What's next: With the budget adopted, the district will move forward under the approved spending plan. The board publicly acknowledged it may need to revisit line items or adjust the plan if it later chooses to accept state preschool aid (which would require identifying a local share). The board and administration said they will continue to refine financial projections and respond to outstanding public questions at follow-up meetings and committee work sessions.

Votes at a glance: budget adoption — approved (roll call result recorded by the board); personnel motions — approved as consent items; curriculum/instruction/special services items — approved; finance report — approved. The board also debated but did not immediately finalize the matter of the state preschool expansion local share; administration cautioned that acceptance would require a budget amendment to provide the local match.

The board did not reach a final, binding plan to fund any reversed decision on the preschool local share during the meeting; members said they would continue work in committees and at future meetings.