Closter board previews preliminary 2025–26 budget that preserves programs and adds special-education, world-language staff; security question deferred

At a regular meeting on March 5, 2025, the Closter Board of Education reviewed and approved a preliminary budget for the 2025–26 school year that preserves current staffing while adding a Special Education teacher and a World Language teacher at Tenakill Middle School and funding technology and capital work. The budget will be submitted to the Executive County Superintendent for review and a public hearing is scheduled for April 30, 2025.

Business Administrator and Board Secretary Floro Villanueva presented a preliminary general fund budget of $27,860,466 and a total-all-funds plan of $28,867,736. The proposal preserves existing programs, budgets roughly $21.3 million for salaries and benefits (about 76.6% of the general fund) and invests in technology upgrades including laptops, Promethean boards and network infrastructure. Planned capital work includes locker replacements at Tenakill, blacktop repairs, and additional network upgrades at Hillside Elementary School.

Villanueva told trustees the revenue side assumes a 2.90% increase in the local tax levy and a 6% rise in state aid to roughly $1.70 million. The district proposes applying $675,000 in excess surplus from the prior year and withdrawing $340,000 from the Maintenance Reserve and $900,000 from the Capital Reserve to fund maintenance and capital projects. The presentation also included an intended $547,520 in federal and state grant revenue and $156,315 in debt-service aid to offset bond costs.

The budget motion passed by roll call. The administration briefed the public on the calendar for approval: the County Superintendent will review the preliminary filing and the Board will hold a public hearing and consider adoption on April 30, 2025.

The meeting also featured an extended discussion of school security. Board President Jennifer Finkelstein summarized meetings the Board leadership had held with municipal officials and the Closter Police Department about placing School Security Officers (SSOs) in each building. The Board considered a possible second, permanent ballot question that would levy $241,680 to fund a shared-services agreement to pay for the officers, but trustees concluded that adding a second ballot question at this time would be an excessive burden on taxpayers and decided not to proceed. The Board said it will continue discussions with the Mayor and Council about shared options and timing.

Parents and residents used the public-comment portion of the meeting to press the Board on class sizes and special-education services. Multiple speakers urged limits closer to Blue Ribbon-era class sizes and asked the district to add staff to reduce classroom rosters. Superintendent Vincent McHale and Villanueva answered procedural questions: McHale said the largest third-grade class is 25 students, that special-education program caps in some services are nine students and that some incoming students’ IEPs require an additional class and staff. Villanueva explained how the town average assessed value figure is calculated (total taxable property divided by the number of residences), which he said is the reason a modest levy increase can still yield a lower tax payment for some homeowners.

Among other approvals tied to the budget and facilities work, trustees authorized targeted withdrawals from reserves for capital projects and approved purchases and closeouts including new Chromebooks and completion of previously authorized construction work.

The Board will file the preliminary budget with the County and hold the required public hearing on April 30. Trustees said they will continue to meet with municipal leaders to seek funding options for increased school security without disrupting core programs.