The meeting’s focal point was the presentation of the tentative $78.4 million budget for the upcoming fiscal year. The proposed 2% tax levy increase became a discussion topic due to the challenges of adhering to the tax levy cap while managing escalating costs related to personnel, transportation, and utilities. The budget breakdown covered salaries and benefits, maintenance and operations, transportation, tuition, supplies, and capital projects, including new allocations for curriculum development, technology upgrades, and facility improvements.

The tax impact was scrutinized, with attendees learning that the average assessment on an unequalized house in Bridgewater was $564,500. Bridgewater’s proposed equalized tax rate was 1.27, leading to a tax increase of $46.63 for each $100,000 of equalized assessment. In contrast, Raritan’s proposed rate of 1.24 would result in a tax decrease of $99.75 for the same assessment value. Bridgewater would shoulder 86.74% of the tax burden, with Raritan taking on the remaining 13.26%.

A board member questioned the rationale behind the increase in their house assessment and the distribution of ratables between residential and commercial properties. The debate underscored the importance of budget transparency and adherence to voter intentions, particularly concerning the allocation of funds for full-day kindergarten.

In addition to fiscal concerns, the board grappled with the school calendar, weighing the merits of drafts six and seven. The choice between starting the school year on January 2nd or providing that day off and moving graduation to June 19th was at stake, with draft seven ultimately undergoing modification. The inclusion of Eid as a holiday spurred discussion about scheduling and the potential impact of inclement weather days on religious observances. The possibility of an August school year start was considered for greater flexibility.

The public comments segment revealed community engagement with a range of issues. A community member’s enthusiasm for the solar eclipse led to a suggestion for excused absences to allow students to witness the event. Another concern raised was student safety on buses, with a call for mandatory working cameras on special education buses and enhanced driver training after an incident involved a child being hit by a bus driver.