Bridgewater-Raritan OKs $193M Budget As Parents Urge Delay In Ending AI Program

BRIDGEWATER, NJ — Bridgewater-Raritan school officials adopted a $193 million budget for 2026-27 on April 28 after a public hearing that included sharp criticism from residents over the planned end of the district's AI program.

The budget represents a 3.23 percent increase from last year and includes a 3.04 percent tax levy increase, according to Business Administrator Kevin Lomski.

This means that the tax impact on the average home property in Bridgewater Township valued at $629,800 will pay an increase of $36.79 per $100,000 of assessment per year.

The average home property in Raritan Borough, valued at $323,225, will pay an increase of $27.35 per $100,000 of assessment per year.

During the budget presentation on April 28, Lomski said the plan was built around academic programs, staffing, facilities, security and fiscal stability.

He said the district will add two security guards, open the middle school addition in September and expand full-day kindergarten to all primary schools next year. Officials also said fourth grade will move to the intermediate level as part of a grade reconfiguration.

Several budget pressures were shared, including rising health care, utility, fuel, technology and special education costs.

Lomski said enrollment has declined by just under 600 students over the past five years and that state aid increases have slowed while extraordinary aid reimbursement has declined.

The district used attrition, self-insurance, prescription benefit consulting, energy upgrades and transportation rerouting to control costs.

A total of 29 positions would be reduced, including nine at the elementary level, eight at the secondary level, 10 at the support staff and services, and two administrators.

Lomski said the district could have raised the tax levy by 4.66 percent using banked cap and a health care adjustment, but proposed 3.04 percent instead.

Superintendent Robert Beers said that Bridgewater-Raritan was placed as the third lowest increase among 17 Somerset County districts based on tentative budget information, with a county average of 6.23 percent.

Public comment focused heavily on the AI program.

Katherine Choi, who identified herself as a Bridgewater resident, urged the board to "please don't allow the AI program to be abruptly canceled under these stressful circumstances."

A resident identified as Jin, who is a parent of a child currently in the AI program, told the board, "Make no mistake, a vote to adopt this budget is a vote to end the AI program."

Lenore Elkaron, a Bridgewater resident, said, "The proposed replacement model for gifted education does not comply with New Jersey state law."

Board member Li then moved to amend the budget so the administration would fund the continuation of the AI program. The motion did not advance after there was no second. The board then approved the budget.

The final vote passed 7 to 1 with the exception of Board Member Jeremy Li, who voted no.P

• Previous Reporting: Tax Increase, Staff Reduction Proposed In Bridgewater-Raritan School Budget For 2026-27

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