Middletown May See 2 Percent Property Tax Increase For Schools

MIDDLETOWN, NJ — Last Friday, we reported how the Middletown school district will very likely collapse or merge some bus routes that are seeing low ridership.

This was revealed at the most recent Middletown school board meeting, held Feb. 23. That meeting is also where Business Administrator Amy Gallagher gave the Board and the public a preview of next year's 2022-2023 school year budget.

Here is what else she said in the budget preview on Feb. 23 (you can watch if for yourself here):

- There MAY be a two percent property tax levy increase for Middletown homeowners. That increase will bring in an additional $2.9 million for the district next year.

The budget has not been adopted or approved by the school board, so all of this is tentative. No tax increase has been finalized or approved. However, Gallagher wrote the 22-23 budget with the 2 percent tax increase in place. She stressed that the 2022-23 budget is not finalized. It must be adopted by May 9. There will be a time for public comment in April.

- Middletown is projected to see a $1.1 million reduction in state aid next year. This is not news, as for the past five years now Trenton has reduced the amount of state aid the Middletown school district receives. Middletown will learn March 8 (Tuesday) exactly how much state aid it will get, when Gov. Phil Murphy gives his statewide budget address.

- There is a shortfall in next year's budget of about $2.8 million, meaning the school district plans to spend $2.8 million more than it has money for. Again, this should not be a cause for alarm, as this is somewhat normal for school budgets, Gallagher explained. She said she's going to have to find cost savings in personnel, technology purchases and so on. There also may be money left over from this year's budget that can be put forward into next year.

- There are still not settled contracts for three of Middletown's unionized teachers. Stay tuned for details on that.

- Gallagher said that switching to self insurance for teachers and staff did save some money for the district, but she did not specify how much. She spoke about it briefly, calling it a "nice savings" but one that may not bring about significant savings year over year.

- Middletown plans to add some new volleyball coaches for next year.

- The district will be hiring an additional guidance counselor at the high school level for next year.

- Middletown is considering hiring a business teacher for its CTE (Career Technical Education) pathway.

- Middletown will be hiring 3-4 American Sign Language teachers for the middle and high schools.

- Middletown may need to hire a new teacher at Middletown Village Elementary School, based on enrollment projections there (enrollment is supposed to go up at Middletown Village).

- Middletown's reserve balances are "well below what they should be" for capital and maintenance projects, warned Gallagher. Nonetheless, the district plans to fund the following projects out of its capital reserves: Replace flooring at Bayview Elementary. Harmony, Thompson and Thorne will get expanded outdoor seating. There will also be main bathroom renovations done at High School South.

The next Middletown Board of Education meeting will be March 22.

Prior: Middletown Will Likely Collapse Some School Bus Routes

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