The Montclair Board of Education has unanimously approved its 2026-2027 budget following a challenging year marked by financial difficulties, staffing cuts, and legal challenges. The final budget amounts to $179,791,339, with $142,007,176 raised through taxes. This represents a total tax levy of $160,036,615, which includes $12.6 million from a special election held in March and over $5.4 million from debt service. The budget increase will cost the average Montclair homeowner approximately $851 more in taxes compared to the previous year. When combined with the special election increase, the total tax hike reaches about $1,968 for the upcoming school year.
To balance the budget, the district eliminated 36 positions; however, 20 employees were reassigned to open roles created by retirements and resignations, resulting in a net loss of 16 staff members. Additional reductions included discontinuing freshman sports and converting Renaissance at Rand Middle School into a pre-kindergarten facility. Superintendent Ruth B. Turner emphasized that these measures are part of a shift from short-term fixes toward structural changes aimed at stabilizing the district’s finances.
Board President Yvonne Bouknight and Montclair Education Association President Danny Marcketta highlighted the need for reform in New Jersey’s school funding system. Currently, the state limits annual tax levy increases to 2%, but rising costs like healthcare and transportation often exceed this cap. Both leaders warned that without updates to funding formulas, more districts will face similar financial crises leading to cuts and instability.
Meanwhile, Sea Girt’s Board of Education held a public hearing on its proposed 2026-2027 budget totaling $6,534,558. The plan includes a 3.97% increase in taxes raised, bringing the amount from $5,141,592 in 2025 to $5,345,771 in 2026. For an average home assessed at nearly $3.85 million, this translates to an estimated tax increase of about $152 annually. The budget covers operational expenses along with capital outlays for facility maintenance, safety upgrades, and technology improvements such as interactive projectors. Business Administrator Frank Gripp stated that the budget aims to maintain high educational standards while keeping tax impacts stable.
In Northport-East Northport, the upcoming Board of Education election has gained attention as East Northport resident Mark Zaharis announced his candidacy as a write-in candidate. Zaharis received endorsement from the United Teachers of Northport union and joins incumbent Donna McNaughton in vying for two open seats on the board. This election is notable because it is rare for fewer candidates than available seats to file petitions; voters will have the option to write in candidates during the May 19 election.
Zaharis has been active in the community for over two decades through participation in local PTAs and volunteering with various organizations. He expressed readiness to serve on the board now that his personal schedule allows more involvement. The district’s “Meet the Candidates” night is scheduled for May 13 but will feature only McNaughton since write-in candidates are excluded from participating.
Together, these developments reflect ongoing challenges and community engagement around education budgets and governance across multiple districts. Tax increases remain a sensitive topic as districts balance fiscal responsibility with maintaining quality education services.
