Presenter details $22.3 million Berlin Township School District budget; board approves tax increase

A presenter for the Berlin Township School District outlined a $22,324,250 operating budget for the 2026–27 school year and the board voted to approve it following a public hearing.

The presenter said local tax levies account for roughly 54% of projected revenue, state aid — including preschool expansion support and special-education reimbursements — about 41%, and tuition and miscellaneous items about 1%. The presenter also described tuition as roughly 23% of expenditures (about $5 million) for out-of-district placements, charter and technical-school tuition.

"We had to utilize those adjustments," the presenter said, explaining the district used healthcare and enrollment adjustments to exceed the state's standard 2% cap to close an initial gap. The presenter said the district expects to roll over about $300,000 from the current year to help fund the 2026–27 budget.

The presenter described major expense drivers as tuition and benefits, noting employee benefits (health insurance, pension, Social Security and workers'comp) make up about 17% of the budget, with an earlier prescription-cost projection as high as 30% that the district mitigated by changing plans. Special education totals were reported at about 14% (roughly $3 million) for services including occupational and physical therapy, speech, the child study team and extended school-year programs.

The presenter said the district trimmed a $2 million shortfall by cutting summer projects and a planned maintenance hire and by removing several other planned expansions. Existing positions are preserved, the district will hire one additional certificated staff member, and in-house transportation will be maintained.

On the homeowner impact, the presenter said Berlin Township remains below county and state averages for school taxes but that the approved increases translate to "approximately a dollar per day," which the presenter characterized as roughly $150 to $375 per year for a typical assessed home.

After the public hearing (no members of the public spoke), the board moved and seconded approval of the 2026–27 budget and approved it by roll call. The presenter then moved and the board approved the March treasurer and secretary financial report; the presenter stated no line items were overextended.

Presenter: the meeting record shows the budget includes debt service of $303,000 and that existing bonds are expected to be paid in full by June 30, 2030, provided no new bonds are issued. The presenter closed by noting the district is pursuing grants and shared services (including therapy services through the Educational Services Commission) to reduce costs.

The board adjourned after approving the budget and the financial report.