Livingston Schools May Cut Dozens Of Jobs Under Proposed Budget

LIVINGSTON, NJ — Dozens of staff positions are on the chopping block in the Livingston Public School District, which is also proposing a $478 tax hike for the average local homeowner.

The Livingston Board of Education recently voted to introduce the proposed 2026-2027 school budget. View the district’s presentation here.

According to figures from administrators, 40 staff positions may be cut to help balance the budget. The list includes 11 teachers, 15 aides, eight support staff, four student support staff, and two administrators – although 12 of the positions are slated to be reduced through attrition, not terminations.

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The draft spending plan includes a 5.18 percent tax levy increase for school taxes in Livingston.

Property taxes in New Jersey are mainly made up of three parts: school, municipal and county. According to state data, the average Livingston resident paid $18,465 in taxes on a home valued at $729,727 in 2025 (not including credits and deductions). RELATED: Average Livingston Property Tax Tops $18K: See 5-Year Breakdown

An average homeowner with a property assessed at $738,359 would see a $478 increase to the school portion of their taxes under the proposed budget.

The proposed budget would maintain all programs for the upcoming school year. It allows for 3.25 salary increases, as per union contracts.

The district plans to use a health care adjustment waiver of $5.61 million.

District administrators noted that Livingston is expected to see a small increase in its state aid under Gov. Mikie Sherrill’s proposed budget. Related: How Much State School Aid For Livingston? NJ Releases Latest Totals

The district will hold community budget forums on April 23 in the central office conference room at 11 Foxcroft Drive. The morning session will take place from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m., and the evening session will take place from 7 to 9 p.m. Budget-related questions and comments can be emailed to budgetquestions@livingston.org

A public hearing and final vote is scheduled for April 28.

Watch footage from the March 24 school board meeting here, or view it below (video is cued to the budget introduction):

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