Tax Increase, Job Cuts Possible In Brick Schools' 2026-27 Budget

BRICK, NJ — The Brick Township School District introduced its budget for the 2026-27 school year, a $173 million package that includes a 1.9 percent increase in the tax levy and some staff reductions.

The public hearing on the budget is set for 6 p.m. on April 30 in the professional development center at 101 Hendrickson Blvd.

James Edwards, the district's business administrator, said the budget is still subject to change because the district is waiting for final actuarial numbers for the district's health insurance. Those figures are expected to be given to the district by the end of March, he said.

Edwards, who is retiring June 30 after 19 years in the district, said Superintendent Thomas Farrell told the district's finance committee on March 10 that increasing costs in various areas would force the district to reduce staff.

The number of positions the district may have to cut was not discussed.

Farrell did not comment on the budget introduction on Thursday night.

Districts and municipalities across New Jersey are wrestling with increased utilities and fuel costs along with large jumps in health insurance expenses.

The total proposed budget is $173,152,174, up from the $171,207,418 for the 2025-26 budget, an increase of $1,944,756, or 1.9 percent.

It anticipates state funding of $16,314,198 announced in Gov. Mikie Sherrill's proposed budget. That is an increase of $923,445 over the $15,390,753 the Brick Township Schools received in 2025-26, a 6 percent increase.

The tax levy for the proposed budget is $137,463,127, an increase of $2,565,563 over the 2025-26 tax levy of $134,767,772, or 1.9 percent.

The budget introduction did not include the specific increase in the tax rate, but typically a $1 million increase equals a penny on the tax rate. The school tax rate for 2025-26 was $1.273 per $100 of assessed valuation.

The March 26 meeting can be viewed on the district's YouTube channel.