East Brunswick board adopts FY2027 budget after cuts, fee changes and staff adjustments

East Brunswick — The East Brunswick Board of Education adopted its fiscal year 2027 budget on May 7 after a public hearing and discussion of administrative spending, staffing changes and revenue measures.

Business officials told the board that East Brunswick’s administrative cost per pupil and student‑to‑administrator ratios remain below or in line with state cohort averages, and they highlighted central‑office reorganizations and unfilled positions that helped reduce projected deficits. The district reported not rehiring some administrative roles (including a coordinator of school security and a manager in accounts payable) and reorganizing financial services, which management said generated savings estimated in the hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Revenue and fee changes: To reduce the operating gap, the district added structured fees for clubs and athletics — including sports, band and marching band — while keeping a reduced/waiver schedule (reduced-price students pay 50%, free‑meal students pay 25%) and an $800 family cap. Officials emphasized that fee revenue will not fully cover program costs but will reduce the net local contribution.

Expenditure and staffing actions: The budget included reductions in purchased services, supplies and transportation, and staffing adjustments driven largely by retirements and voluntary reductions to part‑time status. The district added one instructional coach (to support the literacy rollout) while leaving some positions vacant. Administrators presented a list of retirements, a mix of positions shifted to part‑time, and positions not replaced to achieve a balanced budget.

Public comment and community concerns: During public comment, community members thanked the board for actions that protected a Mandarin teacher and praised the language program’s impact. Board members emphasized their intent to protect classroom instruction wherever possible while acknowledging future risks posed by rising health‑benefit costs, transportation expenses and charter‑school funding pressures.

Next steps and oversight: The district said it will post a user‑friendly budget on the district website as required, and will provide periodic reports to the board on implementation; trustees asked business staff to continue identifying efficiency opportunities and to return with updates as the fiscal year proceeds.

Vote: A roll‑call vote recorded the board’s approval of the FY2027 budget and related consent items; the transcript records unanimous 'yes' votes on the motion in the excerpt provided.

Context: Officials noted the board’s limited control over some rising costs (health benefits, transportation), and several trustees urged coordinated advocacy at the state level to address structural funding pressures that make multi‑year budgeting difficult under the current tax‑cap framework.