Proposed Tax Increase For Some In Watchung Hills Regional 2023-24 School Budget

WARREN, NJ — Watchung Hills Regional Board of Education presented its proposed school budget for 2023-24 on Tuesday night which includes a tax increase for some sending town residents.

The proposed budget of $46,649,203 for the 2023-24 school year is an increase of 4.49 percent over the 2022-23 budget which was roughly $44 million.

"It's important that everyone realize that this was a difficult budget. It seems we say that every year, but our number one priority continues to be the student. Continues to be the education of the student. Whether academic or non-academic," said Board Vice President Michael Birnberg. "Although we are very conscious of the budget and cost, we are as conscious, if not more, of making sure the students have the opportunity to succeed and thrive."

For an average homeowner in Warren Township with a home assessed at $824,594, they would see a tax increase of $38.47 per year.

For an average homeowner in Watchung Borough with a home assessed at $802,735, they would see a tax decrease of $20.55 per year.

For an average homeowner in Long Hill Township with a home assessed at $578,714, they would see a tax increase of $52.12 per year.

The Board pointed to a number of factors for the increase in the budget including inflation, a rise in healthcare of 8.74 percent, and salaries and benefits that account for 61 percent of the budget. The district is currently in negotiations for new contracts.

The budget includes a number of costs including:

• Classroom furniture replacement - $125,000
• Chromebooks for 9th grade - $270,000
• New desktop computers in 4 classrooms - $72,000
• Course recovery software - $22,000
• New Uniforms - $21,000
• New scoreboard controller - $5,000
• Compeition cheer mats - $3,000
• New track - $1.3 million
• New STEAM lab, nursing area, ceramics classroom upgrade, trainers are a and lockers rooms and chiller, photo lab, and lighting in PAC

To help lower the budget, the Board is taking $100,000 from its additional reserve to help pay for the track. Additionally, the late bus will be reduced from 5 days a week to 3 days on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday. The number of late buses also is reduced from 5 buses to 3 buses. This will save the district $60,000.

The district also recently was awarded $5,777,532 in state aid this year. It is roughly $2.8 million more than the district received last year.

"The aid will go toward tax relief," said Board President Bob Morrison. "We are using that to ensure we are not going to have to raise additional taxpayer funds to fund the district. This Board from the outset was committed to doing everything that we could to bring that tax impact down because of the impact inflation is having on all of the families in our community."

The preliminary budget will now be submitted to the county office for approval. A public hearing and vote on the final budget is scheduled for April 25.

Watch the full budget presentation below (It begins around the 23:15 mark):

Have a news tip? Email alexis.tarrazi@patch.com.