Superintendent says state budget could add roughly $700,000 to district, pending governor approval

The superintendent told the board that recent General Assembly budget actions and a new calculation tool indicate Middlesex County Public Schools could receive just over $700,000 if the governor signs the budget.

That increase, the superintendent said, would allow the division to provide a 3% compensation increase for employees, absorb a projected 9% insurance cost increase, and shift one position previously funded by ESSER into the 2024–25 operating budget — specifically, a mathematics coach at the elementary school for which the district has supporting data.

"It was very positive in our favor actually... it could potentially bring us just over $700,000," the superintendent said, adding that the General Assembly will return and the budget still requires the governor's signature.

The superintendent also briefed the board on proposed changes from the Board of Education to the state's accreditation and accountability framework that would refocus accreditation on operational compliance and place outcomes like proficiency and growth into a separate accountability measure. He flagged concerns that some proposed measures (for example, middle‑school weighting tied to passing a high‑school end‑of‑course exam) may not fully reflect readiness, and noted multiple listening sessions scheduled in the region.

Board members were told to expect additional briefings as the state framework and the division's implementation plans are finalized.