Roselle superintendent unveils $83.6M budget and long‑range facilities plan tied to proposed September bond vote

Dr. Fischer, Roselle Public Schools superintendent, told the board the district adopted an $83.6 million budget for the 2026‑27 school year, saying, “$26.5 million comes directly from the local tax levy” and emphasizing the district maintained a 0% tax increase despite rising benefit and special‑education costs. He framed the budget and a linked facilities master plan as steps to preserve programs and avoid layoffs other districts have faced.

The superintendent spent the bulk of his report on a detailed facilities presentation and a bond referendum proposal. He said the long‑range plan would replace aging modular units at six district sites, create a new pre‑K–2 school, and shift the district’s grade bands so elementary schools serve grades 3–5 while Leonard V. Moore and Grace Wildday would become intra‑district choice junior‑high programs (arts and STEAM pathways). Dr. Fischer said the goal is to reduce student transitions and to add maker spaces, a production studio at the high school and improved safety vestibules. He told the board a bond vote is being targeted for September 15, pending final approval and funding details from the New Jersey Department of Education.

The presentation described large infrastructure work — notably electrical upgrades to support modern technology and expanded air conditioning in second‑floor classrooms — and a multi‑school modular replacement schedule intended to be complete before the next school year. Dr. Fischer described the modular project as having progressed through engineering and fabrication stages and said the district expects installation at all six sites by the start of school.

Board members and officials emphasized rezoning as part of the plan, noting growth in some neighborhoods had caused uneven enrollment. Dr. Fischer said rezoning has not been done since the 1970s and that it would accompany the facilities changes to balance enrollment and support the proposed grade‑band structure. He said the district has already shared signed blueprints with the planning board for a courtesy review.

Why it matters: If the referendum passes, the district would undertake substantial capital projects that change how students move between schools, increase building capacity, and invest in technology and safety. Dr. Fischer said the district applied to the state to confirm the amount of state aid and final local fiscal responsibility and that those numbers will determine the ultimate cost to Roselle taxpayers.

What’s next: Dr. Fischer said the district is awaiting final NJDOE approval of funding details; the board and administration plan public drill‑downs on individual school projects ahead of the proposed September referendum vote.