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Watchung Borough board adopts 2025–26 budget, approves 5.68% local levy increase
Summary
The Watchung Borough School District board voted to adopt the 2025–26 budget, approving a 5.68% local tax levy increase and using a health‑care adjustment and $250,000 of banked cap to limit the impact. Officials said staff cuts were avoided despite rising health and special‑education costs.
The Watchung Borough School District board of education adopted the 2025–2026 budget on April 24 after a public hearing and a presentation by district leaders.
The district proposed a local tax levy increase of 5.68%, driven by a projected 12.9% rise in health‑care costs, contractual salary unknowns in a negotiating year, and other unavoidable increases including special‑education tuition and facilities maintenance. Superintendent Dr. Glazer told the board and public that the administration "is not cutting staff. We made that decision," and presented the budget as a multi‑year effort to stabilize district finances and support strategic goals.
Administrators said the board plans to use state‑authorized adjustments — a healthcare waiver and $250,000 of previously banked tax levy ("bank cap") — while reserving roughly $257,000 for next year. The presentation also cited a $40,000 drop in state aid from the prior year and advised budgeting federal funds conservatively at 50–70% of prior levels until final figures are known.
The proposed package included instructional investments and 12 staffing requests narrowed to priority hires. Presenters identified a proposed supervisor of instruction to lead curriculum work, professional development and program reviews; they estimated the recommended staff and resources package at about $431,350.
During discussion board member Phyllis Juet raised a per‑pupil cost calculation and budget history, noting what she interpreted as an increase in per‑pupil spending compared with prior years. The business administrator said detailed line‑item and user‑friendly budget documents will be posted within 48 hours of adoption.
A public comment period included several residents who supported the budget and the district’s emphasis on instruction and student supports. The board then moved to adopt the budget, with the motion listing the adjustments for health‑care costs ($278,719) and bank cap ($250,000), and authorizing routine travel and expense reimbursement for 2025–26.
Roll call recorded in the transcript shows the following votes: Mr. Gonzalez Yes; Mrs. Amado Yes; Mr. Craft Yes; Mrs. Agliero Yes; Mrs. Maddox Yes; Mrs. Santos Yes; Mrs. Harvey Absent; Mrs. Duet No; Mr. Fra Yes. The chair announced the budget passes.
The administration said the district will post the full user‑friendly budget and presentation to the website within 48 hours and proceed with summer hiring for approved positions.
Budget next steps: administrators will finalize vendor and staffing hires once the budget is formally implemented and continue outreach on the user‑friendly budget posted online.
