Brick Township board hears tough 2026–27 budget that trims 40+ positions and defers capital work

The Brick Township Public School District reviewed its proposed 2026–27 budget, which administrators said balances competing pressures by holding the district tax levy to the 2% cap while applying a 3.84% health‑benefits waiver and reducing more than 40 full‑time positions.

District budget presenter said the package was among the most difficult of recent years, noting that salaries and benefits make up about 86% of the district’s spending and that special‑education and at‑risk student costs are rising. “This was one of the toughest budgets we had to manage in my seven years here,” the presenter said, stressing efforts to limit cuts to student programs.

The superintendent’s presentation, delivered by district administrative staff, showed the proposed general fund rising about 3% and projected average class sizes of roughly 27 students, with multiple sections at 29 or higher in some courses. Administrators said capital projects — including roof work, parking‑lot repairs and some facilities upgrades — are being deferred to preserve staffing.

Why it matters: administrators framed the structure of the package as a response to state funding formulas and recent policy changes. Under the state’s School Funding Reform Act (SFRA) calculations cited by district staff, the board said the district still operated roughly $26.8 million below the state’s stated adequacy target. The presentation also described a change to how special‑education aid is calculated and a 6% cap on increases that limited the district’s expected aid bump to about $923,445 instead of an anticipated $3,866,368.

Board members asked for clarifications about the scale of reductions and whether retirements and attrition would fully absorb the net loss of positions. Administrators said they hope the majority of cuts will be achieved through retirements and unfilled vacancies.

The board also noted the district has opened state‑aid litigation; finance committee members said attorneys are interviewing families and preparing a draft complaint for filing to challenge how aid adjustments were applied.

What’s next: the budget was presented for review at the meeting; the board will move through the formal adoption steps required by state law in subsequent sessions. The board encouraged community members to follow the agenda packet for precise line‑item information and any public hearings required before final adoption.