Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Budget topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
North Brunswick board adopts $177 million budget, approves 3% tax levy increase
Summary
The North Brunswick Township Board of Education on May 6 adopted a $177 million 2026-27 school budget after a detailed presentation by Superintendent Dr. Brian Zakowski. The final plan maintains staffing levels, relies on $56 million in state aid and includes a 3% tax levy increase; no public comments were made at the budget hearing.
The North Brunswick Township Board of Education adopted a $177 million final budget for fiscal year 2026-27 on May 6 following a public presentation by Superintendent Dr. Brian Zakowski.
Dr. Zakowski said the budget's total includes a general fund of about $155 million, debt service of roughly $11.4 million, and federal and grant funds. He described the funding mix as dominated by local property taxes, supplemented by roughly $56 million in state aid and federal entitlements. "Tonight is our final public presentation," he told the board and audience, opening the budget discussion.
Why it matters: Board members said they prioritized protecting classroom staff and programs while balancing fiscal responsibility to taxpayers. The superintendent described near-term pressures including a reported 32% increase in health‑benefit costs on a benefits line the district identified as about $25 million and the end of one-time federal ESSER funds. He also pointed to cost-avoidance steps, including a $550,000 Schneider Electric grant for an energy upgrade tied to pool equipment, and said reserves would be used for one-time capital work such as electrical-panel upgrades.
Budget details and district choices: The district presented the budget as the result of a multi-month process that projected three years forward and sought to avoid recurring expenses funded by one-time revenue. Dr. Zakowski described strategies such as using attrition and careful lease/purchase decisions to manage recurring costs. The administration estimated the net tax levy change to the average assessed homeowner would translate to roughly $16.67 per month, and reported an overall tax-levy increase of 3% for the coming year.
Public hearing and adoption: The board opened a public hearing required by state code and invited three-minute comments; no members of the public spoke. Vice President James moved to adopt the district's 2026-27 budget as submitted to the New Jersey Department of Education. The motion passed by roll-call vote with all recorded board members voting "yes." The board said the final budget documents will be posted as required.
What happens next: The board approved the budget and completed the required public‑hearing step. The administration will post materials and proceed with implementation; the board emphasized ongoing monitoring of class sizes, program sustainability and the district's structural position as revenues and costs evolve.
Source and attribution: Budget figures and direct statements are drawn from the district presentation delivered publicly by Dr. Brian Zakowski at the May 6 board meeting and the roll-call vote recorded in the meeting transcript.
