Tax Hike As Holmdel Launches Full-Day Kindergarten, And More

HOLMDEL, NJ — Last week, the Holmdel Board of Education approved a budget for the upcoming 2019-2020 school year that will result in a local tax levy of $58,583,275. The tax levy is the amount of money Holmdel schools will require from the town.

For Holmdel homeowners, this will result in a property tax increase. The new school budget requires an annual tax increase of $263 per year ($21.99 per month) for the average residential Holmdel home assessed at $676,993.

But there are some improvements coming to Holmdel public schools this fall, which taxpayers will be getting in return: For example, as Patch previously reported, full-day kindergarten will be coming to all Holmdel elementary schools. Beginning in September 2019, all Holmdel kindergarten classes will be full day.

Also starting next fall, Holmdel public schools are launching a new partnership with Rutgers University Behavioral Health Care. Starting in September, there will be a full-time mental health clinician cycling through Holmdel public schools.

With a national focus on children's and teen's mental health, this will be a collaboration with Rutgers to address growing mental health concerns among children and teenagers.

The therapist, who will have experience working in schools and with children and families, is technically a Rutgers employee, paid for by Rutgers. But Holmdel has a contract with Rutgers to provide the clinician.

The Holmdel school district will also be launching eight new courses this fall, including middle school electives in biotechnology, forensics and creative media. These classes are part of a new schedule for students in grades seventh and eighth.

Also, in 2017, Holmdel taxpayers approved the so-called "Holmdel 2020" initiative, a $40.3 million series of planned improvements to the public school system that the district warned would come with a property tax increase.

“As superintendents across the state are looking at cutting programs and personnel, I’m thrilled to be recommending a budget that I believe will have a very positive effect upon the children of our community this next year and for years to come,” said Holmdel schools superintendent Dr. Robert McGarry in a statement.

Related: Holmdel Residents Asked To Approve $40M School Improvement Plan