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Flemington-Raritan board adopts $78.36 million 2026-27 budget; officials cite 35% jump in health costs
Summary
The Flemington-Raritan Regional School District board adopted its 2026-27 budget after a public hearing, approving an operating budget the administration presented as $78,362,881 and citing a 35% rise in health benefit costs as a primary driver of increased local tax burden.
The Flemington-Raritan Regional School District Board of Education adopted its 2026-27 budget on a roll-call vote following a public hearing and presentations by district administrators.
Acting Superintendent Dr. Burns and Business Administrator Tanya Dawson presented the plan, with Dawson describing an operating budget figure presented as $78,362,881 and explaining the district's three-part budget structure (operating, special revenue and debt service). Dr. Burns told the board the district had faced a “35% increase in health costs,” which administrators said was the main factor pushing revenue needs above the usual 2% tax levy cap.
The administration told the board the tax levy and operating budget reflect fixed and mandated expenses — including contractual salaries, special education, transportation and benefits — and emphasized town-hall engagement and state-level advocacy as the district considers longer-term remedies. Dawson said the special revenue budget is $7,159,000 and the district's debt service was presented as $4,000,991; she described instruction as accounting for roughly 40% of operating spending and benefits about 24%.
Board members discussed the district concerns about rising local burden; one board member noted that roughly 90% of the district budget is shouldered locally. Another praised transportation changes the district made when moving routes in house and said the district realized about $500,000 in savings.
Chair (speaker 1) moved to adopt the budget resolution as presented; the motion was seconded. The roll call on the adoption resolution recorded the following responses as in the meeting record: "Mister Ajani? Yes." "Miss Parsi? Yes." "Doctor Bentley? Yes." "Doctor Buckleiter? Yes." "Mister Cerrillo? Yes." "Mister Davis? Yes." "Mister Bowman? Yes." "Miss Woodley? Yes." "Mister Bergensdell? Yes." The motion carried and the budget was adopted for submission to the county executive superintendent.
The administration said the user-friendly budget and detailed materials, including per-pupil calculations and the three-part budget presentation, will be posted on the district website for public review. The board also confirmed the county department of education reviewed the budget with no changes and requested clarification on a transportation cost variance.
