Superintendent says district will apply for up-to-$21M levy option as residents spar over tax increases

The Hillsborough Township Board of Education’s superintendent said the district will apply to the New Jersey Department of Education for permission to raise its local tax levy toward a cap the district estimates at about $21 million, an option the state offered with a small matching incentive.

“I'm applying to the commissioner of education and we should find out by April 24th, is my understanding,” said Mr. Vulpi, the district superintendent, explaining that the state will review the district’s itemized request and may approve part or all of the proposed spending. He emphasized that the step is an application only and that any final budget decisions remain with the board.

Why it matters: the district says it received $17 million in state aid for the coming year but has absorbed multi-year reductions that left it facing roughly $4.6 million in recurring cuts under the tentative budget — a shortfall the administration says would eliminate about 24 positions and reduce programs such as middle‑school sports and courtesy busing.

Board action and process: the board voted 6–3 earlier this week to authorize staff to submit the state application. If the state approves any portion of the requested levy increase, the board still must decide at subsequent committee sessions and at the April 28 final budget meeting how much of that approved amount to include in the district budget. The superintendent said the state generally will respond within about 10 days to the district’s application.

Public reaction: residents were deeply divided at the engagement session, with some urging immediate action to avoid layoffs and program cuts and others urging restraint or a town referendum. “30 children in a classroom is unacceptable,” said Megan Murphy, a local teacher and parent, summarizing the concern many parents raised about the classroom impact of staffing reductions.

Several speakers argued the root problem is the state aid formula. Assemblyman Roy Fryman, who identified himself at the meeting, said the formula has produced unfair results for Hillsborough and encouraged coordinated local advocacy in Trenton. “This formula stinks. And it’s unfair,” he told the audience.

Alternatives discussed: speakers and board members discussed partial options (raising less than the full $21 million) and splitting any one‑time receipts into nonrecurring projects to avoid long‑term structural commitments. The superintendent recommended protecting recurring costs only where sustainable and using nonrecurring funds for projects so the district does not reenter the same budget crisis the following year.

What remains unresolved: the district’s application may be approved in whole, in part, or not at all; the board has the option to accept none, some or all of any state approval. If the board declines state approval or the state denies the request, the tentative budget already contains cuts that would take effect for the July 1 fiscal year. If the board instead seeks a referendum, a November vote could authorize larger increases but would not prevent cuts planned for the coming year, the administration said.

Next steps: the superintendent will submit the application to the state; the board will hold committee meetings the week after spring break to prioritize items and again vote on a final budget at its April 28 meeting. The district encouraged residents to continue contacting state legislators and said it will continue to pursue legislative and administrative remedies to the state aid formula.

The meeting record and livestream remain available online for residents who were unable to attend.