The discussed budget encompasses a special revenue fund of $7,161,550 and a debt service fund of $2,674,789, with a corresponding tax levy for debt service pegged at $2,327,533. The total budget amounts to $77,554,364. The resolution also included the use of capital maintenance reserve and maintenance reserve funds, totaling approximately $2.96 million.

An acknowledgment was made that the tentative budget would result in a general fund tax levy of over $37 million and a total tax levy of approximately $40 million. Additionally, the board plans to utilize alternative special education Medicaid initiative revenues projected at $1,325,900.

The budget resolution included a cap on travel expenditures for the 2024-2025 school year for all staff and board members, setting it at $25,000. In compliance with state regulations, a public hearing on the budget has been scheduled to take place at the Barnegat Township High School on April 30, 2024.

In other actions, the board voted to formally cancel a special meeting that was previously advertised for the following night.

The meeting also outlined procedural details, such as the need for the budget to be advertised in the appropriate media as directed by the Department of Education, and that the budget presentation for public comment would occur during the April meeting. These steps ensure transparency and public participation in the school district’s budgeting process.