MORRISTOWN, NJ — The Morris School District Board of Education has adopted its 2026-27 budget.
During its meeting on Monday, the Board of Education adopted a $155.7 million budget that will account for a 3.5 percent tax increase for residents.
According to officials, the budget features no changes compared to the tentative budget introduced last month.
The district's budget comes as Governor Mikie Sherrill proposed a roughly $21,000 cut in state aid for Morris School District, a less than one percent decrease in total funding.
Under the new budget, Morristown residents will see an average increase of more than $300 in their school taxes, and Morris Township residents will see a nearly $80 increase on average.
Staff Cuts
District officials say the staff cuts are due to an enrollment drop of roughly 225 students, specifically students between grades six and 12.
The budget accounts for the following cuts:
Officials added that the cuts are relative to the drop in enrollment, meaning that class sizes and elective opportunities are not expected to change.
The proposed cuts are expected to save the district roughly $2.1 million, including $334,000 in health benefit costs, $735,000 in school and department allocations, and $475,000 in pension contributions.
Spending
Around 70 percent of the budget accounts for salary and benefits. Roughly $611,000 will go towards salary increases. Health benefit costs are expected to jump 17 percent, a $3.6M increase, while dental will jump $10,000, a two percent increase.
Additionally, the budget would set aside $800,000 for copier and Chromebook costs over the next three years, and $1.8 million for school bus replacement over the next six years.
As far as capital projects, the school district has set aside roughly $2.2 million for various upgrades, including three new athletic fields at Frelinghuysen Middle School and electrical upgrades for Hillcrest Elementary School. An additional $1 million was allocated for maintenance costs.
The district is also awaiting a bond referendum, which, if approved, would fund other upgrades, including infrastructure upgrades and curriculum enhancements. The bond referendum will be voted on in September.
Effects On Households
The budget reflects a $3.5 million tax hike, or a roughly $4.3 million increase, totaling nearly $112 million for the 2026-27 year.
Specifically, it will have the average Morristown homeowner paying an additional $331 in taxes, and the average Morris Township resident paying an additional $78.
Property taxes account for roughly 80 percent of the Morris School District budget, with Morristown taxpayers covering 40.4 percent, and Morris Township covering 59.6 percent.
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