Wood-Ridge proposes modest 2% budget increase; $97.50 tax levy rise for average home

The Wood-Ridge Board of Education on May 6 reviewed a proposed $27,766,076 budget for 2024–25 that district officials said represents about a 2% increase from the previous year and would raise the average household school tax bill by $97.50 annually.

Board administrator Carl, presenting the budget assumptions, said the district received an increase of $200,946 in state aid and an $38,228 rise in extraordinary aid (now $673,186). He said those increases helped offset declines in tuition revenue tied to fewer incoming students from the neighboring Munaki district and the end of a shared child-study team agreement.

Why it matters: the district said local property taxes still account for roughly three-quarters of revenue, and officials emphasized that about 63% of expenditures are for direct student services. The administration said it kept the proposed tax levy increase modest while preserving classroom support and safety measures.

Key details: the presenter said direct student services spending would rise about 3.66%, employee benefits would increase (roughly a 10% rise mainly from the state health plan), Medicaid reimbursements were expected to increase, and the district planned no capital-reserve withdrawal this year, which explains a sharp apparent drop in capital expenditures.

Superintendent (speaking in the budget presentation) said, "The school tax levy for the 24–25 school year will increase $97.50, which is $8.12 per month on the average assessed home value of $375,000." He and other administrators said added staffing will include a new third-grade section and an additional fourth-grade section to help keep class sizes below 25.

Public input and follow-up: the board opened a citizens' hearing limited to the budget; no immediate questions were raised during that early hearing. Later, during the resolutions-only comment period, a resident asked for a breakdown of the $56,291 transfer listed to charter schools; the administration said it would provide an itemized count by email.

Votes at a glance: the board approved the minutes from the April 22, 2024 public session (roll call: Fallon, Garvin, Milano, Bimonte — yes; Nieves — abstain) and later approved multiple consent items tied to curriculum, personnel, finance and board operations, including the items needed to advance the 2024–25 budget process.

What happens next: administrators said they will finalize vendor and contractor decisions (for example, any outsourced behavioral services) at future meetings and will provide residents with requested itemized budget details by email.