2% Tax Increase Debated By Hillsborough School Board Before Final Budget Vote

HILLSBOROUGH, NJ — Hillsborough's Board of Education(BOE) is continuing to debate whether to move forward with a proposed 2 percent tax levy increase in the 2026-27 school budget before a final vote set for April 30.

Board President Joel Davis said during the BOE meeting on Monday that the budget introduced at the March 23 meeting was still only a proposal.

The introduced budget breaks down so that the average home property in Hillsborough Township, valued at $628,012, will pay $9,638.10 in 2026 or an annual increase of $993.51.

The average home property in Millstone valued at $473,006 will pay $6,527.96 in 2024 or an annual increase of of $1,559.12.

Davis said the board wanted the community to know "the conversation is ongoing" and that members were taking seriously "the implications of what these tax levies mean for the entire community."

The discussion centered on whether the board should stick with the proposed 2 percent levy or consider a lower or zero percent increase.

Davis expressed that he regretted voting at the March 23 BOE meeting to approve the introduced budget, which includes a 2 percent tax levy increase.

"I believe had I voted no on the proposed 2 percent levy, we could have discussed alternatives more thoroughly, including a 0% option or even a 1% compromise," said Davis.

Davis also said the district had been "betrayed again with a $500,000 cut in state funding."

"I've laid down my hope. There's no hope with the state," said Davis. "But it is my hope that by opening the discussion prior to the final vote on April 30th, by considering adjustments or even defending the levy that has been approved, whatever the individual opinions are, I want to and I believe we are displaying to the community that the board recognizes the gravity of these decisions."

Among the items Davis said are being proposed in the budget are a K-6 literacy supervisor, a K-6 math supervisor, additional building monitors, an Auten Road Intermediate School autism teacher and two aides, seven kindergarten teachers, 10 lunch aides, and a transportation and maintenance facility estimated at $7 million.

Multiple security upgrades were also proposed, including adding an automated license plate reading system, adding a weapons detection system for the whole district, upgrading security cameras, and adding a door swipe access locking system.

He said that if the levy changes, some proposed items would have to be reduced.

Public comment and board discussion reflected competing concerns.

"Enough is enough in terms of if the answer is to raise taxes every time the state decides to unfairly go after towns like Hillsborough. Then you really are going to push more and more people out of this town, out of this state," said resident Thomas Zobelli.

"Quite frankly, I'm kind of astonished that every time I turn around, it's like the only solution we seem to have is, well, we'll raise taxes," said Zobelli, who suggested sending the matter to a voter referendum.

Hillsborough Education Association President Henry Goodhue urged the board to protect student programs and staffing.

"We have the opportunity to fund responsibly. Every single person in here, whether you're a parent, an educator, a board member, whoever, we have a responsibility to help these students thrive. And if we flatten a budget, we are not meeting that responsibility," said Goodhue.

Board member Jane Staats said even a smaller increase could be difficult for residents already under strain, while also saying the district should avoid hurting students.

"There's a saying that's the straw that broke the camel's back. Sometimes that last straw isn't necessarily a heavy one. It's just the one that really puts people over the edge," said Staats.

She suggested the Board look at the budget from "several lenses for the sake of people who are really stretched thin, our residents but also without hurting our students."

"And I think that can both be done. That we can accommodate and do what's best for our students and also the future if we do have a less than 2 percent increase to the tax levy, we can have residents that may be more amenable to approving a referendum in the future for perhaps a new high school," said Staats.

Board member Cynthia Nurse said the district's leadership was not asking for "anything crazy" and called school safety a priority.

"What is apparent to me, and I hope to the community, is that there is a love for the schools and a love for the kids and a desire to make sure that what we deliver for them is beyond adequate," said Davis.

A public hearing and vote on the final budget is scheduled for Thursday, April 30.

See Related:

• Tax Increase Proposed In Hillsborough, School Board Members Split Over Decision

• Hillsborough Schools Will Get Less State Aid For 2026-27

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