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North Bergen Board approves $56.9 million local share in proposed 2025–26 budget; sends plan to April 15 vote
Summary
The North Bergen Board of Education on March 6 approved a proposed 2025–26 school budget that includes a $56,886,282 local tax levy and a $146,455,258 total budget; the board also approved a $4.08 million capital outlay SGLA request and reserve transfers to strengthen fiscal reserves ahead of the public vote on April 15, 2025.
The North Bergen Board of Education on March 6 approved a proposed 2025–26 school district budget that it will submit to voters at the annual school board election on April 15, 2025. The board recorded a local tax levy (General Fund required from local sources) of $56,886,282 and a total proposed budget of $146,455,258.
Board action also included a capital outlay statutory spending growth limitation adjustment (SGLA) request of $4,075,406 for FY 2025–2026. The SGLA request lists district-wide capital improvements and specific projects including: Franklin School bathroom renovations ($1,120,000); interior doors at Lincoln ($813,620); Horace Mann boiler work ($364,000) and auditorium seats ($433,220); a Franklin playground ($259,220); an assessment for SDA debt service ($92,716); and technology/classroom equipment and furniture for junior high and elementary buildings ($992,630).
To bolster reserves, the board authorized a $4,000,000 transfer into the maintenance reserve and a $500,000 transfer into the emergency reserve under N.J.S.A. 18A:7F-41, and set district travel allocation at $15,000 for 2025–26. These reserve transfers and the capital outlay request were included in motions adopted during the same meeting.
The motion to approve submission of the General Fund amount to voters was made by Board Member Luis Rabelo and seconded by Haissam Jaafar; the meeting record shows the ayes were unanimous among members present. Motions to approve the SGLA request and reserve transfers were carried by recorded unanimous votes.
Why it matters: sending a budget to the ballot means voters will directly decide whether to approve the proposed local tax levy that supports operations not covered by state and other receipts. The capital outlay request, if approved within the budget, provides specific project funding the district says is needed for health, safety and educational adequacy.
What happens next: the General Fund figure ($56,886,282) will appear on the April 15, 2025 ballot for voters in the Township of North Bergen. The board’s meeting minutes state the proposed budget totals and the specific projects included in the SGLA request; further public materials (budget documents and the Preschool Budget Workbook accepted at the meeting) are on file with the district.
Votes and record: the meeting minutes record motions and unanimous votes for the budget submission, capital outlay application, maintenance and emergency reserve transfers, and related financial certifications. The meetings were conducted under the Open Public Meeting Act (N.J.S.A. 10:4-6 et seq.).
Details drawn from the meeting record: District proposed totals and the local levy are reported in the board resolution text and attached summary. The board-certified minutes indicate the budget is dated March 6, 2025 and will be submitted to the voters on April 15, 2025. The board also accepted the 2025–2026 Preschool Budget Workbook at the same meeting.
