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Hardyston board flags 28% health‑insurance spike, explores offsets while accepting $22,000 donation for a school sign
Summary
The Hardyston Township Board of Education’s finance committee reported a projected 28% rise in health‑insurance premiums (about $560,000), leaving roughly a $360,000 gap after available levy capacity; the board also accepted a $22,000 donor gift to fund a new elementary‑school digital sign and related signage and heard facilities updates.
The Hardyston Township Board of Education’s finance committee told the board on Oct. 14 that the district faces a projected 28% increase in health‑insurance premiums for the coming year, which the committee estimated would add about $560,000 in expenditures and leave the district roughly $360,000 short even if the board uses the maximum 2% levy increase to offset costs.
The finance representative said routine internal transfers were made and average monthly expenses run near $1.3 million. The committee reported receiving a $22,000 donation from a local donor to pay for a new digital sign at the elementary school; the donor requested a commemorative plaque. The town is assisting with removal and installation of the sign, and the board intends to use a portion of that funding to replace a deteriorated wooden sign in front of the middle school.
The committee said it will work with the district’s insurance broker over the next month to identify cost‑reduction options and will seek clarity on what state funding might be available to offset the increase. The finance representative told the board they expect more concrete answers by January and warned that the district will need to make decisions about where to find remaining funds if premiums hold.
On broader regional fiscal work, the committee noted an early regionalization study that identified possible operational savings (for example, from reduced redundant staffing) but said the study was preliminary and not yet specific about final savings or timelines.
Facilities updates reported to the board included ongoing preschool playground installation with rubber surfacing pending and the town’s help with sign installation. The board thanked the donor and said the sign is expected to be installed in the coming weeks.
The board did not make a final funding decision on the insurance shortfall during the meeting; the finance representative said staff will return with options after further work with the broker and when state funding availability is clearer.
