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

HILLSBOROUGH, NJ — It was a split decision, but ultimately, the Hillsborough Township Board of Education(BOE) voted to introduce the 2026-27 school budget with a 2 percent tax levy increase.

The BOE voted 5-4 on Monday after much discussion centered on long-term school funding and the strain of rising property taxes.

The proposed budget of $182,748,175 for the 2026-27 school year is an increase of just over $5.8 millon compared to the 2025-26 budget.

With the proposed 2 percent increase, the general fund portion of the tax levy is increasing by $2,891,204 to $147,451,418.

Superintendent Michael Volpe told the board the district could absorb either option in the coming year, but said he was recommending the increase for future stability.

"The board can raise 2 percent on the tax levy, which is $2.8 million. I am recommending that the board take the $2.8 million,” Volpe said. "I think there's a lot that can be done with that for long-term financial stability, and I also think as a person who's in charge of the schools, I have to make sure that the schools are properly funded for a long period of time."

The Board had wrestled with the idea of a zero percent tax increase following the large increase last year.

"Regardless of the actions that the board takes tonight, one way or the other, your schools are going to look the same," said Volpe.

He also said, "We have enough room that we can reorganize things so our school district will look exactly the same for 26-27."

But Volpe added that he had concerns about a zero increase beyond next year.

"I have concerns going to zero what it's going to look like 27-28,” he said.

According to Eckert’s presentation, the budget includes a $519,761 reduction in state aid and the $1 million one-time tax levy incentive aid from last year.

The budget includes 29 new positions, among them two elementary supervisors, 12 kindergarten teachers, 10 elementary lunch aides for full-day kindergarten, two building monitors, one special education teacher and two instructional assistants

Eckert also said health insurance costs are rising 19 percent, or about $5.3 million, while other insurance is increasing about 20 percent, or just over $2 million.

Utility costs are projected to rise by about $200,000. And technology upgrades in the budget include cameras, live weapon detection monitoring and license plate readers.

Tax Impact

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.

Board members were split over whether the district should take what some described as a pause after last year’s tax increase.

The BOE voted in April 2025 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.

"There's a lot of anger still remaining from last year's huge increase. People are still feeling it in their property taxes," said Board member Jane Staarts.

Board member Elaine Jackson said, "I think it's time to take a breather."

She added that when talking "about the benefit of the children, the betterment of our students, I think we have to think from the family perspective as well."

Others argued that rejecting the increase could create more pressure later.

Board member Cynthia Nurse said, "to not vote yes to a 2 percent tax levy to me could lead us right back to the crisis that we just made hard decisions about the past two years."

Board members Staats, Jackson, Marc Ehrenkrantz, and Jean Trujillo all voted against the budget with a 2 percent tax levy increase.

Board members Joel Davis, Paul Marini, Cassandra Kragh, Allison Laning-Beder, and Nurse all voted in favor of the budget.

Board President Davis noted that his "yes vote is necessary for now, but it doesn't mean I'd like one nickel of it."

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

See below or click here to watch the budget presentation:

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