Cherry Hill schools short $14.5M
Cherry Hill Public Schools are facing a $14.5 million budget deficit that’s triggering talks of program cuts and layoffs — a school‑board meeting video has been circulating online. The shortfall was raised in recent social posts and has already drawn community attention as officials weigh options to close the gap. ( )
Under Gov. Mikie Sherrill’s proposed budget, Cherry Hill would receive $27.7 million in state aid for 2026–27 — about a 3% reduction from the current allocation. (nj.com) District business administrator Jason Schimpf told the board the cut amounts to roughly $900,000 and represents the third consecutive year of decreases in state funding. (southjersey.media) A March 12 district letter says Cherry Hill Public Schools has lost more than $8.6 million in state aid over the past three years, a cumulative shortfall the administration says is compounding budget pressures. (chclc.org) Schimpf’s presentation cited rising operational costs as drivers — about $12 million in increased health‑care and transportation costs and roughly $5 million from contractual salary increases. (southjersey.media) As part of options to balance the books, administrators recommended drawing down less from surplus and proposed the maximum 7.4% property‑tax levy, estimated to generate about $14.8 million and an average $420 tax increase per homeowner. (southjersey.media) Previous budget drafts and district materials show the district considered eliminating 19 support‑staff positions and reconfiguring middle schools into a junior‑high model to capture roughly $3 million in savings. (6abc.com) The board held a special budget meeting March 19, scheduled initial budget action for March 24, and set a final budget vote for April 28; the March meetings were announced as live‑streamed by district officials. (chclc.org)
