The board addressed the challenges of adhering to the 2% budget cap while dealing with rising expenses. Concerns were raised over how the cap could affect staff expenses, with a suggestion made about potentially considering raises above 2% to manage increasing costs. The conversation widened to include settlements by contract across New Jersey, with many districts settling contracts at rates above 3%. The need for alternative funding sources, such as grants, was highlighted, along with the necessity of ongoing dialogue with legislators and advocacy for equitable school funding.

Furthermore, there was a discussion on the relationship between the school district and the town, particularly regarding tax abatements and the enrollment surge’s financial implications. The community was urged to engage with legislators and ensure the completion of free and reduced lunch applications to aid the district in securing adequate funding.

Security funding emerged as a concern, with the board committed to using the allocated security funds for their intended purpose. In addition, the board discussed ongoing security collaborations with the township, including budget implications for personnel. The closure of a gate between Cambridge Park and Lloyd Road school was announced due to safety concerns.

The discussion extended to the increase in out-of-district placements for special education students. The board explained that this rise was attributable to new students moving into the district and those with needs beyond the district’s capacity. Efforts to curb these costs included the introduction of new programs and a partnership with Effective School Solutions, which reportedly saved the district approximately $3.7 million.

Healthcare benefits were another focal point, with board members expressing concern over the significant increase in healthcare costs and its budgetary repercussions. The increase in healthcare costs was almost 11%, attributed to a state mandate known as Chapter 44.

The board also delved into various federal grants and the need for parental consent to maximize Medicaid reimbursements. A decrease in Title One funding was noted due to reduced free and reduced lunch applications, emphasizing the importance of these applications for broader school-related benefits. Late payments from the town to the school district, including a bounced check of nearly 3.5 million dollars, were discussed, raising questions about the district’s ability to make timely purchases and additional costs incurred due to such delays.

On the auditing front, the district displayed improvement, with only one finding in the latest audit related to an excess surplus in the lunch account. This excess was linked to reimbursements during the pandemic and successful local grant acquisitions.

The board’s conversation around the annual school budget detailed the budget process timeline, state aid history, and a breakdown of state aid, prompting questions about preschool funding, grant usage, and transportation costs. The district’s spending on administrative costs was noted to be below the maximum allowed, with the district ranking 47th out of 81 in the state for these costs.

Further financial discussions included the district’s cost per pupil and comparisons to state averages, with support expressed for maintaining extracurricular costs. About 61% of funds were allocated to classroom instruction, and efforts were emphasized to staff appropriately for the fall. The board discussed the shift from the push-in, pull-out intervention model to a multi-tiered system of support to address student needs more effectively within the classroom.