Breaking Down The 2025 7-District Budget Dashboard w/ Images Part One

Over the next few weeks, we will be analyzing the 7-District Budget Dashboard to help residents of Berkeley Heights, Chatham, New Providence, Summit, Millburn, Madison, and Westfield provide more informed feedback to their Boards of Education during the upcoming budget process.

While some insights will focus on Berkeley Heights, given that it is our home base, residents from any of the seven districts are encouraged to share their perspectives for publication on NJ21st.

Enrollment and Per Pupil Costs

Despite promises from Full-Day Kindergarten advocates, Berkeley Heights’ enrollment continues to decline, while New Providence’s enrollment is gradually increasing.

Berkeley Heights Enrollment has been in Decline for the past ten years.

Although progress has been made in slowing per-pupil cost growth, Berkeley Heights remains the most expensive district of the seven, while New Providence continues to demonstrate strong cost efficiency alongside strong student proficiency rates on NJ DOE reports (as of 2023).

Instruction And Administrative Costs:

Berkeley Heights, Chatham, and Summit have the highest per-pupil instruction costs among the seven districts.
Millburn saw the largest per-pupil increase in instruction spending.

In 2022, Berkeley Heights had the highest per-pupil administrative costs.
By 2024, New Providence and Madison took the top spots in this category.

Special recognition goes to Dipti Khanna, 2023-2024 Chair of the Berkeley Heights BOE Finance Committee, for her leadership in navigating a divided Board while managing the smallest per-pupil cost increase since 2021.

Under her Leadership:

• General Administrative Support and Legal Expenses were reduced.
• Student Services saw increased funding (including transportation, instruction, and co-curricular activities) while remaining under budget.
• Athletics and Special Education funding remained stable.
• The first Budget Survey was Introduced
• The public had an additional Budget meeting to provide Feedback

Read Part Two of Series: Administration, Support Services and Legal Services Per Pupil Cost Break Down for Berkeley Heights, Chatham, New Providence, Summit, Millburn, Madison, and Westfield

Link to 7-District Budget Dashboard

Source Documents for Spreadsheet

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