Stillwater Board approves professional-services spending caps including $500,000 architect cap; public commenter questions amount

The Stillwater Township Board of Education voted on Jan. 5 to set maximum dollar limits for public relations and professional services to guide the 2026–2027 budget process, including an architects cap of $500,000.

Business Administrator/Board Secretary René Metzgar presented the resolution citing NJAC 6A:23A-5.2, which requires districts to establish maximums before preparing their budgets. The board approved the limits by roll call: Public relations $5,500; Architects $500,000; Attorneys $40,000; Auditors $17,000; School physician $2,500. The motion noted the board would consider separate action to raise any cap if actual service needs exceed the listed amounts. Recorded votes showed board members present voting aye and two members absent.

During the public-participation period Richard Kelsky of Cedar Ridge Road asked whether the $500,000 architect maximum is typical and said his preference was to keep caps at a standard level and increase them only when necessary. The transcript does not record a direct response from board members; the professional-services caps were approved as proposed at the same meeting.

The caps are procedural steps used to shape the district’s budget assumptions and do not themselves authorize spending beyond usual contracting and procurement processes. Any future contract awards or increases above these caps would require separate board action consistent with procurement law and district policy.