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Fiscal Year 2027

Preliminary Budget

March 23, 2026

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Dr. Kristina Susca

Superintendent of Schools

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Denise M. DeRosa

School Business Administrator

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Fiscal Year Budget Planning Process

Aligned budget with:

  • District goals and objectives
  • Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA)
  • Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA)
  • New Jersey Student Learning Objectives (NJSLS)

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Fiscal Year Budget Planning Process

Superintendent and Business Administrator

meetings with each administrator

December 2025 - January 2026

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Finance and Facilities Committee

Meeting with each department administrators

February 10, 2026

Overview of Budget

March 17, 2026

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Board Discussion

March 23, April 27, 2026

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Fiscal Year Budget Planning Process

Budget Philosophy

Level 1: Legal requirements (ex: NJSLS or Special Education)

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Level 2: Required by Board Policy (ex: more units to graduate therefore requiring higher staffing levels)

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Level 3: Not required, but high investment from community (ex: music program or mental health program)

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Heading into Budget Process

  • Continue increased costs for students with disabilities
    • Additional and shift staffing needs
    • Students from Out of District back into district
  • Facility maintenance
  • Federal and State mandates
  • Contract obligations
    • Unknown costs for health benefit renewal
  • Look for ways to save money
    • Student Enrollment/Needs
    • Least impact on student achievement

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2026-2027 Budget

Impact to budget is primarily health benefits:

  • Preliminary projection increase of 32%
  • $1.5 million increase to overall operating budget
  • Factors
      • Medical loss ratio 94%
      • Prescription loss ratio is 211%
  • State allows to increase tax levy above 2% for increase in health benefits up to $1,369,369 which would equate to a 6.1% increase in tax levy - tentative budget includes approx 719,000 of the $1.3 million

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2026-2027 Budget

  • The budget will enable the district to maintain…

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    • Schools fully staffed with qualified personnel
    • Instructional resources - update and align to standards (ELA, Math, Science & MLL)
    • Courtesy transportation for students on hazardous routes

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2026-2027 Budget

  • The budget will enable the district to include…
  • Facilities improvements
    • Repairs to High School Cupola
    • Replacement of Water Service Line at High School
    • Replacement of Bartle Fire Alarm/strobes
    • Replacement of Bartle Boiler(s)
    • Replacement of Exterior Lights at all schools
    • Increase 2 add’l security cameras at all schools
  • Increase Preschool enrollment by 15 students
  • Support for New Math Curriculum Grades K-5

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2026-2027 Budget

  • At the existing funding levels - The budget will not be able fund the following existing positions/programs

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  • Makerspace at the Middle school
  • Four Assistant Administrative Assistants
  • One Nurse (MS & HS to be shared)
  • One Media Center Specialist
  • One fewer Bartle Interventionist (going from 4 to 3)
    • District to explore high impact tutoring grants
  • One Secondary Social Studies Teacher

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Finances

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Revenue 2026-2027 Snapshot

Proposed Budgeted Revenue (4.14% general tax levy increase)

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2025-2026

2026-2027

Change $

Notes:

Tax Levy

33,597,383

34,988,315

1,390,933

2% + $718,941 Health

Care Cost adjustment

Tax Levy Incentive Aid

50,238

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State Aid

5,959,689

6,317,270

357,581

6%

Projected Extraordinary Aid

1,000,000

850,000

-150,000

Estimate; 2025-2026 aid will not be known until July 2026

Other Local Sources and Interest

450,234

458,142

7,908

Includes interest, tuition, PILOT $, enterprise activities, refunds of prior year expenses

Federal Aid (SEMI)

7,610

56,410

48,800

Amount determined by the State

Subtotal Operating Revenue only

41,065,154

42,670,137

1,604,984

Increase in Operating Revenue is 4.07%

Non-recurring revenue supporting operating expenses:

Utilization of Capital Reserve

2,281,080

741,100

-1,539,980

HS Cupola, Bartle Fire Alarm/strobes, Exterior Lights, Bartle Boiler(s) , HS Water Service Line

Utilization of Maintenance Reserve

80,000

250,000

170,000

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Utilization of Emergency Reserve

10,000

131,690

121.690

Add’l security cameras all schools

Fencing for HS/MS

Athletic Complex

Surplus Available

1,408,7152

924,924

-483,788

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Total

44,844,946

44,717,851

-127,095

-0.30%

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Proposed Expenditures 2026-2027 Snapshot

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2025-2026

Budget

2026-2027

Projected

Change $

Change %

Regular Programs - Instruction

9,525,213

9,356,031

-169,182

-1.78%

Total Special Education - Instruction

4,092,250

4,539,509

447,259

10.93%

Total Bilingual Education - Instruction

386,253

329,345

-56,908

-14.73%

Total Co-Curricular, Athletics, After School and Summer programs

806,023

849,342

43,319

5.37%

Total Supplemental/At Risk - Instruction

430,122

334,509

-95,613

-22.23%

Total Tuition

3,966,360

3,848,435

-117,925

-2.97%

Attendance, Health, Related Services, Other Support Services and Guidance

3,879,124

3,883,420

4,296

.11%

Other Student Support Services - Special Education (CST)

1,491,260

1,471,653

-19,607

-1.31%

Improvement of Instruction, Staff Training, Media Services

838,347

730,185

-108,162

-12.9%

School, District, Central and IT Administrative Costs

3,315,122

3,280,283

-34,839

-1.05%

Operation and Maintenance of Plant (includes security)

3,617,888

3,668,533

50,645

1.4%

Student Transportation Services

2,855,978

2,948,559

92,581

3.24%

Employee Benefits

6,601,620

8,115,184

1,513,564

22.93%

Capital Outlay

2,640,884

993,896

-1,646,988

-62.37%

Transfer of funds to charter schools

397,202

367,667

-29,535

-7.44%

Transfer of Interest to Capital/Maintenance Reserve

1,300

1,300

0

0.00%

Total Budget

44,844,846

44,717,851

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Budget 2026-2027 Snapshot

Estimated Tax Impact on 4.14% School Year Tax Increase

2025 Avg. Assessed Home Value

(est. $482,368)*

*Per Highland Park Tax Assessor 3/12/26

2025-2026

2026-2027

Annual

Change

General Tax Levy

33,597,383

34,988,315

1,390,932

Debt Service Tax Levy

2,045,579

2,055,334

9,755

Total School Tax Levy

35,642,962

37,043,649

1,400,687

Est. Net Taxable Valuation (as of 10/1/25)

2,145,431,000

2,141,828,000

-3,603,000

School Tax Rate w/ repayment of debt

per ($100,000)

1.661

1.730

0.068

Est. Annual Tax on Average Home

7,999.37

8,342.72

343.35

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2026-2027 Budget