Rochelle Park board submits $18.5 million preliminary budget, schedules April 21 public hearing

The Rochelle Park Board of Education voted at a March 16 special meeting to submit a $18,535,137 preliminary budget for the 2026–2027 school year to the Executive County Superintendent of Schools and scheduled a public hearing on the budget for April 21, 2026, at 7:30 p.m. at the district office.

Interim Superintendent Giovanni Giancaspro recommended the submission. The budget lists $15,275,847 to be raised by local tax levy for the General Fund and an additional $297,124 to be raised locally for previously voter-approved debt service. Fund-level figures in the submission include: 11 Fund Current Expense $17,764,776; 10 Fund Transfer Charter School $100,367; 12 Fund Capital Outlay $52,603; 20 Fund Special Projects $167,203; and 40 Fund Debt Service $450,188.

The proposed budget incorporates an approved $560,654 adjustment for increased health-benefit premiums; the board also approved a $209,381 withdrawal from the Maintenance Reserve to fund required facility maintenance, cited under N.J.A.C. 6A:23A-14.2(d) and 6A:26-20.5. The board recorded establishment of travel-allowance maximums for district employees and trustees (maximum $15,000 for 2026–2027) as part of routine finance authorizations.

Board members approved the submission during the public meeting; the transcript records the resolutions as adopted but does not specify the individual mover or a granular roll-call tally for this action. The public hearing on April 21 will provide an opportunity for taxpayers and district residents to comment before the budget is finalized.