The approved budget, which totals $759,359,982, is bolstered by an 84% contribution from state aid, supplemented by 6% federal aid and 8% from local levy and miscellaneous revenue. The budget’s development process was recognized for its transparency and adherence to the Department of Education’s rules and regulations. The finance committee was acknowledged for their collaboration in ensuring a balanced budget with expenditures matching the revenue without increasing taxes. The per pupil cost for the district is reported at $22,882, with an administration cost per student at $1,858, notably under the allowable cost of $2,585.

A significant portion of the budget is allocated to the high-quality Early Childhood Program, which serves 2,770 three and four-year-olds and is funded by the New Jersey Department of Education with supplemental district funds. The budget also includes investments in safety and security, such as the addition of security guards, multi-purpose assistants, and nurses, as well as the installation of security gates and additional security cameras.

The Superintendent underscored the district’s core commitments, focusing on student achievement, college and career readiness, and strategic plans to become the highest performing Urban School District. The district serves 28,896 students with a diverse demographic, including general education, multilingual learners, and special needs students. The Superintendent expressed gratitude for the additional $98 million allocated to K12 public schools by Governor Murphy.

The budget presentation highlighted the acquisition and expansion of Immaculate Conception JBJ STEM Academy 9th grade Annex and SAA Dalbert to serve additional students. It also provides for the hiring of 106 new certified personnel. The district’s strategic plan and commitment to student achievement were emphasized.

The board covered initiatives like the Children’s Literacy Initiative and partnerships with Carnegie Learning for mathematics coaching. Programs such as the El’s Bridge for multilingual learners, the Point of Entry after-school program, and the Bilingual Achievement Strategies at the high school level were discussed. Special needs students will benefit from the Academic Growth After-School Program and Registered Behavior Technicians for behavioral interactions. The board also highlighted partnerships with the New Jersey Transportation Department, offering bus passes for displaced high school students.

New programs introduced include the Avid Elementary program and Avid Excel at specific schools, supporting academic and career readiness skills. New career strands at the Jefferson Arts Academy and the STEM Academy were announced, along with the expansion of programs at the Thomas Edison Career and Technical Academy and Admiral William F. Halsey Health and Public Safety Academy. The implementation of the Score College Management System and expansion of FAFSA seminars will aid students in college and career planning.

The operations budget includes allocations for repointing envelopes, roof replacement and coating, asphalt replacement, and other maintenance and upgrades across school sites. Upgrading of electrical wiring and panels for the rollout of electric school buses was also discussed.

Mr. Harold Kennedy presented the budget timeline, detailing the process of gathering stakeholder input, determining needs based on enrollment, and reviewing existing inventories. This process included rolling over salaries into the new budget system and determining classroom needs based on enrollment counts, providing transparency and insight into the careful planning undertaken.

During the public comments section, concerns were raised about the graduation rate, dropout rate, special education, English Learners programs, the reported reduction in special education classifications, and the allocation of funds for special needs and ML students. Questions were also posed about the absence of athletic programs for special needs students and the lack of initiatives for underperforming student groups. Concerns about asbestos abatement in buildings and communication to parents were highlighted.