Hillsborough School Board Debates 2% Tax Hike
- The Hillsborough school board debated a proposed 2% tax increase in ongoing budget talks. - Board members weighed school needs against taxpayer pressure, discussing the precise 2 percent levy change. - Final vote remains pending as officials seek balance between education funding and affordability for residents (patch.com).
Hillsborough’s school board is still weighing a 2 percent tax levy increase for the 2026-27 budget, with a final vote scheduled for April 30. (patch.com) The board first introduced the budget on March 23 in a 5-4 vote. Superintendent Michael Volpe presented a $182,748,175 spending plan, up just over $5.8 million from the 2025-26 budget. (patch.com) Under that proposal, the general fund tax levy would rise by $2,891,204 to $147,451,418. Patch reported the district could absorb either a 2 percent increase or a zero increase for one year, but Volpe said he was recommending the higher levy for “long-term financial stability.” (patch.com) The debate has turned on how much room the board has now versus what happens next year. Volpe told members the schools would “look exactly the same” in 2026-27 either way, but he said a zero increase would create more pressure in 2027-28. (patch.com) Board President Joel Davis said on April 13 that the March vote approved only an introduced budget, not the final plan. He said he regretted supporting the 2 percent proposal before the board had fully discussed a 0 percent option or a 1 percent compromise. (patch.com) The district is also trying to budget around shrinking outside support. According to Patch, the 2026-27 plan reflects a $519,761 cut in state aid, and Davis said the district was hit with another $500,000 reduction. (patch.com 1) (patch.com 2) Costs inside the budget are rising faster than the tax cap. Business office figures presented to the board showed health insurance up 19 percent, or about $5.3 million, other insurance up about 20 percent, or just over $2 million, and utilities up about $200,000. (patch.com) The spending plan adds staff and equipment tied to full-day kindergarten, special education and school security. Items discussed publicly include 29 new positions, security camera upgrades, live weapon detection monitoring, license plate readers, and a transportation and maintenance facility estimated at $7 million. (patch.com 1) (patch.com 2) Hillsborough has already spent more than a year dealing with state-aid volatility. In May 2024, the district told residents it was receiving a one-time return of $1.2 million after a $2.7 million state aid cut, and said new state legislation let some districts seek a one-time adjustment above the usual 2 percent cap to recover earlier losses. (htps.us) New Jersey’s school budget calendar requires districts to move from an introduced budget to a public hearing and final adoption on a set timeline. The state’s 2026 budget guidance and election calendar frame the April 30 vote as Hillsborough’s deadline to decide whether to keep, trim or defend the proposed levy. (nj.gov) For homeowners, the numbers are concrete. Patch reported that under the introduced plan, the average Hillsborough home assessed at $628,012 would pay $9,638.10 in 2026, and the board now has 10 days to decide whether that figure stands. (patch.com)
