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Old Bridge board submits tentative 2026–27 budget to Middlesex County after hours of review
Summary
The Old Bridge Township Board of Education voted March 23 to submit an administratively corrected tentative 2026–27 budget to Middlesex County, citing rising health-care costs and ongoing line‑by‑line work to find savings; the submission includes a $169,424,251 tax levy and a $2,681,325 debt‑service line item.
The Old Bridge Township Board of Education voted March 23 to submit its tentative 2026–27 budget to Middlesex County, a procedural step that allows county review and preserves the district’s ability to continue refining the plan ahead of a public hearing in May.
The board approved the administratively corrected tentative budget (Resolution 18) after administrators explained a minor recapitulation correction that reduced the taxes to be raised by $1. The budget documents list the taxes to be raised at $169,424,251, less anticipated revenues of $35,466,364, and total debt service of $2,681,325.
The tentative submission carried despite robust discussion among members about the district’s fiscal pressures. Superintendent Dr. Elena Sasso framed the move as a step to “buy time to continue looking for ways to save,” and said administration would keep seeking savings while protecting positions and programs.
Board Business Administrator Mr. Widell reviewed revenue sources the district expects to use, telling members that anticipated revenues include state and extraordinary aid, federal programs such as Medicaid, shared services income, preschool tuition, facility rentals and other miscellaneous receipts. He described separate entitlements for non‑public schools recorded in fund 20.
Several board members voiced concern about accelerating health‑care costs. One member cited long‑term reductions in state aid, saying the district’s state aid has fallen from about $44 million when they joined the board to below $25 million now, placing more pressure on local taxpayers. The board discussed potential advocacy around Assembly bill A4750, a measure referenced in the meeting as aimed at easing rising school health‑care costs.
The board voted separately on groups of finance resolutions. Resolutions 1–14 passed by roll call. Resolution 15, approving a capital reserve withdrawal to fund a partial roof replacement at a portion of the building identified as 'Roof U,' also passed. Resolution 17, an allowable adjustment to recognize increased medical and prescription costs in the tentative submission, passed. Resolution 18 (the tentative budget submission) passed with one abstention recorded from Miss Richards Patterson. The board also set a public hearing for May 5, 2026 at 7:00 p.m. (Resolution 19).
The superintendent and business office emphasized that the tentative submission is not final. Mr. Widell said districts commonly revise tentative budgets during the month before final adoption; any changes will be announced publicly at the May hearing.
Next steps: the district will submit the tentative budget to Middlesex County for review and continue line‑by‑line work on expenses, including meetings with insurance brokers and further analysis to reduce the impact of rising health‑care costs.
Ending: The board approved the tentative submission and scheduled the May 5 public hearing; administrators said they will continue outreach and updates to staff and the public as budget work continues.
