Tabernacle board adopts $16.52M 2026–27 budget, urges state to increase local fair‑share funding

TABERNACLE, N.J. — The Tabernacle Township Board of Education on May 11 adopted a $16,519,965 final budget for the 2026–2027 school year and voted to urge the New Jersey Commissioner of Education to consider increasing local fair‑share requirements for districts the board says are operating below adequacy.

The board approved Resolution 26‑027 to adopt the final budget after public comment from teachers, parents and residents who warned proposed reductions would harm students. The budget lists tentative expenditures of $16,519,965, anticipated revenues of $5,412,932 and taxes to be raised of $11,107,033. It includes an enrollment adjustment of $383,832 and a health‑benefits cost increase of $80,317. The district will transfer $100,000 from Maintenance Reserve for required maintenance and $185,000 from Capital Reserve for capital improvements, including an estimated $60,000 for wastewater treatment plant upgrades, about $75,000 for a small van and $50,000 for network wiring and access points using eRate funds.

"Because that is what educators do: We put kids first," the board read from a prepared statement by Trustee Tracy Betts, which was entered into the minutes. The statement said the board was "deeply disappointed" that state funding left the district scrambling to cut programs and staff.

Vice President Christina Wolfrom said she had been prepared to vote against the budget because she believed it "does not adequately support the thorough and efficient education our students deserve," but "a ‘no’ vote could immediately jeopardize payroll for employees and critical services for students," and she voted to approve the budget to avoid that outcome.

Board member Greg Casterioto criticized the state funding system, and Dr. Kevin McCloy described the board's position as being forced into cuts that none of its members wanted.

Before the vote, multiple public speakers urged the board to prioritize student needs. Ashley Kimble, identified in the record as a TEA representative, argued that student interaction with staff must be "of the utmost importance" and requested placing a second question on the November ballot. Teachers and parents, including Krista Crilley and Jennifer Carr, warned that reductions would increase class sizes and cut extracurriculars such as music.

The board moved Resolution 26‑027 (mover: Dr. Kevin McCloy; seconder: Mr. Craig Kumpel) and recorded the vote in the minutes. The minutes also state the board accepted the New Jersey Department of Education notification of 2026–2027 state aid and authorized administration to make minor budget adjustments required by the Burlington Executive County Superintendent of Schools.

Separately, the board unanimously approved Resolution 26‑028, which calls on the Commissioner of Education to "utilize the authority" in N.J.S.A. 18A:7F‑52 to increase local fair share funding where districts are below adequacy. The resolution cites the School Funding Reform Act of 2008 (N.J.S.A. 18A:7F‑43 et seq.) and lists the board's concerns about staffing reductions, elimination of sports and cuts to basic skills instruction resulting from chronic underfunding. The board directed that copies of the resolution be sent to the Commissioner of Education, the governor, legislators in the 8th Legislative District, the Burlington Executive County Superintendent and the New Jersey School Boards Association.

The board also approved a motion authorizing the board president to send a letter to the community and to local and state legislators updating them on the budget approval process (mover: Dr. McCloy; seconder: Mrs. Sara Eisenhuth).

One additional public commenter, Lindsey Hauenstein, offered volunteer assistance. The meeting adjourned at 7:19 p.m.

What’s next: The minutes state the board adopted the final budget and authorized the administration to make any minor adjustments required by the county superintendent; the resolution urging the Commissioner will be transmitted as described. The record does not indicate further board action dates in this transcript.