The proposed budget for the Freehold Regional High School District exceeds $246 million, yet a gap of $7.4 million remains, driven by inflationary pressures, increased healthcare costs, and a notable reduction in state aid. The district’s revenue projections are estimated at approximately $246.3 million, with a portion expected to come from local tax levies and state aid. However, the district anticipates a loss of approximately $900,000 in formula state aid and an absence of about $1 million in expected tax levy incentive aid. This shortfall is exacerbated by the declining coefficient in the extraordinary aid application, culminating in an overall expected loss of over $2 million in state funding.

The board articulated concerns about the shifting burden of school funding from the state to local taxpayers, a trend influenced by legislation known as S2, which seeks to reduce districts’ dependency on state aid. Declining enrollment within the district also contributes to decreased state funding, as state aid formulas heavily weigh enrollment figures. The administration highlighted the growing reliance on local tax levies, illustrating that state aid constituted about 28% of the budget in FY16, while it has decreased to approximately 13% in the current budget.

To navigate these financial challenges, the district is considering various strategies, including utilizing surplus funds from the previous fiscal year, increasing tuition revenue, and implementing a health benefits waiver. Additionally, the board has decided to eliminate the evening Raise program at Burough High School and reduce staff through retirements and attrition. The assistant superintendent for business administration underscored the importance of aligning the budget with community values and expectations, cautioning against over-reliance on surplus funds, which could lead to budgetary instability in future years.

The board also highlighted the importance of maintaining comprehensive educational offerings amidst financial constraints, with one member noting, “I challenge you to find any other high school district in this state that offers the programs and opportunities that these eight communities are able to get for their kids. We’re not losing programs.”

The discussion also touched upon the challenges of managing unpaid student lunch balances and the limited options available for recovery due to state regulations. The district has set aside $75,000 to address long-standing bad debt from unpaid lunch charges.

Carol Fox from Marlboro expressed discontent with the perceived inequity in tax burdens relative to student populations, stating, “We have 23.8% of the students and we pay 23.8% of the taxes.” She urged the board to advocate for Marlboro residents and engage with state officials to address funding disparities.

Concerns were also raised about local development and its implications for resources, with one participant emphasizing the impact of a significant construction project in Marlboro. The board acknowledged these concerns, expressing agreement that Marlboro often receives the “short end of the stick” in funding matters. The board reiterated their commitment to advocating for fairer funding practices from the state, with one member stating, “You can’t put it on the back of the taxpayers anymore.”

The meeting concluded with discussions on personnel matters, including resignations and retirements, and budgetary matters concerning the upcoming school year. The board also recognized two generous donations from the Marlboro High School PTSO and reviewed contracts for vehicle maintenance and custodial supplies. As the session drew to a close, board members expressed appreciation for a departing staff member, acknowledging their contributions and the collective sense of loss among colleagues.