9.6% Tax Increase In Lacey School Budget: What This Means

LACEY, NJ — After several contentious months, the Lacey Township Board of Education has adopted a 2025-26 budget, with a 9.58 percent tax increase.

The final budget was presented at a special meeting on June 4; it was approved by a 5-2 vote.

The major difference between this budget and the previous version that failed is that it adds back in enough staff to eliminate grade banding, Acting Superintendent William Zylinski explained.

However, "it does come with some pain," he said. Seventeen teachers, two administrators, support staff, custodians, two full-time paraprofessionals and four grounds workers will be cut, Zylinski said. There are also no salary increases.

Courtesy bussing is eliminated except for Forked River School due to its location on Lacey Road.

See how the tax increase will impact your bills in this graphic below.

Related: School Board Votes On 14.24% Tax Increase In Lacey

Some residents voiced concerns on how the tax increase would impact those who live in Lacey Township, especially seniors on fixed incomes.

"It's just difficult with the gas and the food and now the electric going up," a woman who identified herself as Denise from Forked River said, speaking on behalf of senior residents.

Others, while acknowledging the burden of the tax increase, said it was important to do what the school district could to support the children.

Committeeman Bob Laureigh, himself both a prior Board of Education member and a product of the Lacey Township school system, said it was difficult as elected officials to balance fiscal responsibility with the needs of the people.

"Crafting a budget is never easy, and it's not about winners or losers," Laureigh said. "It's about making thoughtful decisions that best serve our residents and in this case, especially our students."

Laureigh called for unity and for the board to pass a budget that placed students at the forefront.

"Our children deserve access to the best possible education that our township can provide and afford, and with that starts a budget that supports academic excellence, innovation and opportunity," Laureigh said.

When it came time to vote, there was some contention among members of the board.

Zylinski emphasized the importance of passing a budget to support the district's future. He added that without this budget, the state could come in and create even deeper cuts.

"Life is tough," Board Member Dan Bell said. "We have to make tough decisions."

The two "no" votes came from Salvatore Armato and Cheryl Armato, who said that the budget process was not transparent enough for taxpayers.

"I support education, I support our staff, I support our students," Salvatore Armato said. "But I do not support asking more from our taxpayers without delivering meaningful value in return. We cannot just keep raising taxes and calling it a solution. That is unsustainable."

Cheryl Armato echoed those words, saying "the only solution this board can come up with is to dig deeper into the taxpayer's pockets."

She called the meeting "theater" as Zylinski had sent a letter to the state previously requesting a deadline extension, where he wrote that he was "confident" the board would have five affirmative votes to pass a budget. She accused the board of straw polling.

Board President Kim Klaus denied that, saying this was the first vote on this budget. She called on the board to vote yes for the sake of the community's stability.

Previous Reporting

Sports Saved But More Cuts, School Restructuring In New Lacey Budget

Massive Cuts Possible As Lacey Schools Face 'Budget Crisis'