Schools
This approval means an average house in Hillsborough increases to $8,645, and $4,969 for an average house in Millstone for the 2025-26 year.
HILLSBOROUGH, NJ — It was a split decision, but ultimately the Hillsborough Township Board of Education(BOE) voted to take advantage of the state's Tax Incentive Aid option and approve the increase of the local tax levy by up to $22.9 million.
"I personally don’t want my taxes to increase, but I think we have to continue to invest in the future of our children, particularly here in Hillsborough, where people move to for great public schools," said Board member Allison Laning-Beder.
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The BOE had two options. Option one is to take advantage of the state's Tax Incentive Aid option, which is targeted for school districts like Hillsborough that are under adequacy and have been hurt by state aid cuts over many years.
The Tax Incentive Aid option allows the district to get closer to adequacy by raising the general fund tax levy by $20 million, and they will receive an additional one-time $1 million in state aid for next school year.
This decision to approve the state's Tax Incentive Aid option follows the news that Hillsborough yet again lost state aid. This year they are expected to get $535,930 less than last year in school aid from New Jersey as part of the latest state budget proposal.
Since 2019-20, the district has lost $7.5 million in their baseline of state aid, and in that time period that equates to $26 million, according to Superintendent Michael Volpe at a previous meeting.
Or Option 2 to approve the district's preliminary budget for the 2025-26 school year that proposed to reduce staff by 24 positions by April 28, raise taxes and make a number of other impactful cuts. Read More: 'Cutting To The Bone': 24 Staff Cuts, Tax Increase In Hillsborough School Budget
The Board chose Option One, with the vote coming down to five in favor (Cassandra Kragh, Laning-Beder, Danny Lee, Cynthia Nurse, and Paul Marini) of the increase and four against (Joel Davis, Elaine Jackson, Jane Staats, and Jean Trujillo).
The approval means the average house in Hillsborough, valued at $594,089, would see a tax increase to $8,645. The average house in Millstone, valued at $409,598, would see a tax increase to $4,969 for the 2025-26 school year.
Boardmember Trujillo suggested the BOE look at moving its elections and budget vote to April instead of November to allow voters to have more of a say.
"It feels like this option 1 is treating a Hillsborough taxpayer like a bank in which we can withdraw funds and... the decision I am making today is a financial one," said Trujillo. "I can not imagine putting this on the taxpayer without their input."
"I am reluctant to impose a tax increase of this magnitude on the entire town without the town having the opportunity to participate," said Davis.
Lee, who voted in favor, said he felt approving this increase would better secure the district for the future.
"I think it hedges us against future losses so that's always important. And I am always going to want a solution that will keep our district whole. Whether that means to eventually implement full-day kindergarten, keep middle school sports — we worked really hard for the courtesy busing and suspending the pay-to-play options. All of that would be lost if we kind of let things go as is," said Lee.
See below for the proposed cuts:
With the Board ultimately deciding to go with the Tax Incentive Aid program, all cuts proposed in the tentative budget for 2025-26 would be restored, including courtesy busing, middle school sports, 24 staff positions, and more.
See below for what the tax levy increase includes:
During public comment, residents and students shared their comments on the tax levy increase.
"I don't think it should be used as a way to save face now that we have this potential option. If we don’t go forward with it that we are going to lose these positions, which you all were willing to make before the state came to you. So let's not pretend you weren’t willing to make tough decisions," said resident Thomas Zobelli. "Most importantly, I feel that the voters should have a say when it comes to this... When we are talking about the size of a potential tax increase of this magnitude, the taxpayers have a right to have a say on whether or not they wish to see their taxes go up, stay the same or the like."
Students also shared their opinions in favor of saving teachers and approving the tax levy.
"I believe that most of my fellow students would agree that the amazing teachers in the school is what makes our high school special. Knowing many of them could be out of a job is very upsetting and is harmful to the morale of the school and future students," said a Hillsborough High School senior.
"Due to the budget cut, our beloved teacher,s the backbone of our education, must be sacrificed," said a High School Junor. "Budget cuts are detrimental to all aspects of student life, trickling into much further than education and even touching on mental health."
Henry Goodhue, The President of the Hillsborough Education Association also shared his thoughts.
"Every single one of your tonight, yes, you are voting on a budget, yes, you are voting on a levy versus no levy, but what you are really voting about is the future of these schools," said Goodhue. "This is not a question of us doing things because we want or because we can. This is us doing something to survive another year or planning the future."
Following the vote, Superintendent Michael Volpe reminded the public that there are still a couple of things pending before the new tax levy could be put in place including waiting for the Governor's appropriation still needs to be voted on and then enacted.
"We are still in unprecedented territory. So you [Board members] have done your work, but as far as translating into something real, it's not done yet, and we will keep you posted, said Volpe."
See below for the full Tax Incentive Aid presentation and comments from the public and board (begins around 1:00:00):
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