Special School Board Meeting Set On Budget In Lacey

LACEY, NJ — Could Lacey residents see their property taxes spike soon? It's possible, as the Board of Education is set to vote on the 2024-25 budget in a special meeting Tuesday.

The meeting, set for June 11 at 4 p.m., is to approve and adopt the budget for the upcoming school year after months of discussions and worries, according to public notice.

Facing a $6.9 million deficit due to the loss of state aid, the district has spent months grappling with intense budget cuts that could result in class sizes ballooning to the 40s, dozens of job positions cut and much more.

RELATED: 'My Teachers Saved My Life': Lacey Students Fight Budget Cuts

While the district recently saw some relief from the passage of a new Senate bill, it would not be enough to overcome the budget gap. It also enables the district to request increases in their adjusted property tax levies above the current two percent cap. This could go up to 9.9 percent, which some residents are not happy about. Read more: Tax Increases Possible For Lacey With Passage Of School Aid Bill

"Nine point nine percent. As a taxpayer? No," board member Jack Conaty previously said. "As a parent of kids here that you all educate? It's a no-brainer."

The full text of the public notice is below.

PUBLICNOTICE LACEYTOWNSHIPBOARDOFEDUCATION SPECIALMEETING PLEASE BE ADVISED THAT the Lacey Township Board of Education will hold a Special Meeting on Tuesday, June 11, 2024 at 4:00 p.m., for the purpose of approval and adoption of the amended tentative budget for the 2024-2025 school year. The meeting will take place in the Lacey Township High School Lecture Hall located at 73 Haines Street, Lanoka Harbor, New Jersey. Action will be taken. Sharon Ormsbee Business Administrator/Board Secretary Published: June 6, 2024 ($11.88)