Small Tax Increase In Livingston School Budget: Meeting Tuesday

LIVINGSTON, NJ — The Livingston Board of Education has introduced a proposed school budget with a small tax increase, but the spending plan may evolve now that the state announced that local schools are getting more state aid next year.

The budget will likely be up for discussion at Tuesday's hybrid board meeting.

The proposal, "Forward Momentum: Investing In Our Students," calls for seven new elementary school teachers, expanded summer programming, more mental health support for students, and other initiatives. It was introduced back on March 8, before state aid amounts were announced.

If passed as proposed, it will increase taxes $256 next year for the average homeowner in Livingston (with an assessed property value of $700,000).

According to a presentation at the March 8 meeting, there will be more discussion at the April 5 meeting and a public hearing on April 26.

This Tuesday's meeting will be hybrid, both in person and via Zoom. Those who want to attend in person must register in advance using this form.

In-person attendance will be limited.

The board discussed and introduced its proposed budget at the March 8 meeting, viewable here.

Almost every Essex County town got an increase in state aid for the next school year in the Murphy administration's next budget. Livingston will get approximately a 22 percent increase in aid. READ MORE: Livingston To Get More School Aid From State

School budgets are largely funded by state aid, federal aid for certain programs, and property taxes.

"The board will continue to allow members of the public to participate virtually via webinar," said a notice from the board. "The Zoom webinar link and the agenda will be posted on the district website, www.livingston.org,on the day of the meeting."

You can also watch the meeting, without participating, on the district’s Facebook page, www.facebook.com/LivSchools.

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