Edison board approves $378 million preliminary budget with 0% tax levy

The Edison Township Board of Education voted to approve its 2026 preliminary budget on a voice vote after a brief presentation by a district finance speaker.

The board’s preliminary budget totals about $378 million, with roughly $235 million expected from the local tax base. The presentation cited contractual salary increases, expanded health-care costs, expansion of courtesy busing, continued local funding for pre-kindergarten and roughly $22 million in capital projects.

The board president framed the outcome as a tax win for residents: "That means no tax increase for Edison taxpayers — five years in a row," the president said, noting the district absorbed the loss of a roughly $6 million pre-K grant and an additional $2.5 million reduction in state aid while preserving a flat levy.

Matt Revnack, president of the Edison Township Education Association, urged reconsideration of long-term funding choices and said modest increases could have funded more programs. "If you raise the tax revenue by even 1% this year it would offset the loss in state funding," Revnack said during public comment, adding a hypothetical $120 annual levy equals "33 cents a day." The board responded that detailed line-item presentations will follow at the scheduled budget hearing in May.

Procedurally the board moved to approve the preliminary budget and recorded the motion as carried by a roll call reading of members present. The board noted the preliminary budget will be adjusted before the final hearing and further details will be provided at upcoming meetings.

The board will present a final budget in May and may make adjustments between now and the county submission deadline.