Teaneck Board approves $141.4 million preliminary budget and a 2.99% tax‑levy package

The Teaneck Board of Education voted March 18 to approve a Preliminary 2026–2027 School Year Budget with total appropriations of $141,441,370.99 and a tax levy of $108,055,550.37. Board President Nadia Hosein presided over the vote, which was moved and seconded as recorded in the minutes and approved by roll call.

Why it matters: the preliminary budget establishes the district’s funding plan for the coming school year, sets the levy the district will seek from local taxpayers, and authorizes the use of reserves and one‑time sources that affect the district’s short‑term fiscal flexibility.

Key actions approved

- Budget totals and line items: the board recorded Transfer to Charter Schools (Fund 10) of $8,764,755; Current General Expense (Fund 11) of $116,982,272.37; Capital Outlay (Fund 12) of $2,460,362; Special Revenue (Fund 20) $12,642,331.62; Debt Service (Fund 40) $591,650, for total appropriations of $141,441,370.99. (Recorded in the meeting packet.)

- Tax levy: the resolution identifies a tax levy of $108,055,550.37. The minutes state this includes a 2% allowable increase ($2,098,369.75) and a 0.99% increase attributable to higher health‑benefit costs ($1,038,693.03), described in the motion as a combined 2.99% levy action. The minutes do not present a line‑by‑line calculation beyond the amounts cited.

- Reserve and fund movements: the board authorized withdrawals and transfers used to balance the preliminary budget, including a $951,500 withdrawal from Maintenance Reserve (net balance cited), a $2,200,000 withdrawal from Capital Reserve to Capital Outlay (net balance cited), and a $1,000,000 withdrawal from Unassigned Fund Balance. The budget also includes $3,000,000 of Excess Surplus designated for the 2026–2027 budget and authorizes use of $1,500,000 in Extraordinary Aid as budgeted.

- Capital projects: the Capital Reserve withdrawal was allocated to planned work totaling the amounts recorded in the packet: playground paving/replenishment at six schools ($359,400), gym stair and cafeteria flooring at Lowell Elementary ($183,083), and electrical upgrades at Thomas Jefferson Middle School ($1,656,617). The packet states that rebidding delays could increase costs if deferred.

- Payments, payroll and contracts: the board approved claims for the period Feb. 6–Mar. 4 totaling $6,452,187.47 and payroll for Feb. 1–28 totaling $5,197,933.91. The board extended the trash removal services contract (Bid #01‑23a) with Interstate Waste Services of New Jersey for one year at the same fixed monthly rate of $10,533 ($126,396 annually) with on‑call open‑top pricing recorded.

- Settlements and grant receipts: the agenda recorded multiple stipulated settlements for special‑education placements (payments to Shalshelet and Shefa totaling amounts listed in the packet) and acceptance of a $66,410 grant from the Bergen County Department of Human Services for the FORUM/PASS juvenile delinquency prevention program (Jan. 1–Dec. 31, 2026).

Board action and vote

The preliminary budget and related finance items were approved by roll call under motions recorded in the minutes. The motion to approve the Preliminary 2026–2027 School Year Budget was moved by Nadia Hosein and seconded as recorded; the minutes show the board’s roll‑call votes recorded in the packet.

What remains: this is the board’s preliminary budget approval. Final adoption typically follows required public hearings and state filing/approval steps; the minutes note a public hearing was held March 11 and State Aid updates were incorporated.

The board packet and minutes list attachments (detailed budget worksheets, purchasing and SOP manuals, transfer and reserve reports) for line‑by‑line details and supporting documentation.