Millburn board approves tentative $117.98M budget, seeks $3.65M tax-levy increase for 2026–27

The Millburn Township Board of Education on March 23 approved a tentative $117,983,823 budget for the 2026–27 school year and authorized the district to apply to the Essex County Office of the Department of Education for an increase in the general fund tax levy by $3,653,160 to cover increased health‑care costs.

Interim business administrator Peter Starrs, who presented the budget, said the district educates about 4,400 students, pays roughly 891 employees, and operates more than 800,000 square feet of buildings. He told the board that labor costs account for about 81% of the budget and highlighted key cost drivers: medical and prescription benefit increases (he cited a roughly 26–30% rise in rates this year), negotiated salary increases (about 3.4%), and higher utilities and technology licensing. "We received our state aid on 03/12/2026," Starrs said, noting the schedule that would lead to a public hearing on May 4 if the county approves publication.

Starrs said the district expects to fund some capital work through reserves and noted the board has committed more than $3,000,000 to a joint turf-field project; he stressed that the turf work is being financed from the capital reserve, not the operating budget. The resolution approved by the board also authorized transfers of $300,000 from the maintenance reserve and $580,245 from capital reserve for identified projects.

Using the district’s example, Starrs said the estimated school tax impact was 35.49¢ per $100,000 of assessed value; under the proposal, a $1,000,000 assessment would see an estimated $355 increase. The total district budget figure read into the record was $126,878,636 including special revenue and debt-service funds.

Board members asked clarifying questions about the health-benefit waiver calculation and the district’s insurance totals. Ms. Wang and Starrs gave different line-item impressions (Ms. Wang cited figures she saw in the materials; Starrs provided estimated ranges), and both said benefit costs were a major driver statewide.

The board approved the resolution on roll call. The resolution as read records the general fund budget at $117,983,823, special revenue at $2,113,235 and debt service at $6,781,578, for a total budget of $126,878,636, and lists the local tax levy and the authorized transfers referenced above. The tentative budget will be submitted to the county superintendent for review; the district must finalize and adopt a budget by the state deadline if adjustments are required after county review.

The approved action was recorded as a formal resolution and will be available with the board’s posted materials; the public hearing is scheduled for May 4, 2026.