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Board told salary and benefits negotiations leave key budget numbers uncertain

Hardyston Township Board of Education · February 25, 2026
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Summary

District staff and the negotiations team said salary and benefit figures are not yet settled and that benefits (healthcare, pension, social-security contributions) are major cost drivers; the district will await union proposals before finalizing increases.

Board members were told that salary percentage increases are not yet available because contract negotiations are active and that benefits are a principal cost driver in the draft budget. Presenter Sue Versa said she could not provide finalized percentages "because we are in negotiations," and that many budget inputs remain provisional until bargaining concludes.

Ron Hoffman, who said he has served on negotiation teams for many years, told the board the process will require additional meetings and that benefits costs could force the board to consider wider budget ranges: "We might have to go a lot higher than we really want to," he said. The board agreed further negotiation-team meetings and committee reports are needed before the board can adopt final figures.