Taxes Up, Enrollment Down: See Ridgewood School Budget Numbers

RIDGEWOOD, NJ — The proposed budget for the 2024-2025 school year in Ridgewood includes new programs for a student population that has slightly shrunk to 5,532, according to a presentation at Monday night's Board of Education meeting.

The $138.5 million budget, as proposed, will increase taxes on the average Ridgewood home, valued at $710,000, by $215.96 per year, officials said. They noted that this is less than $18 per month, or 60 cents a day.

The portion of the budget to be paid by property taxes, $105.2 million, has risen by 2 percent (or $2 million) over last year. The state mandates that schools keep their tax increases to 2 percent.

The budget is also paid for by state and federal aid and various income sources.

Enrollment was 5,781 back in 2018-2019, the district said. it's fallen slightly since then, to 5,532, although enrollment has remained relatively steady in the youngest grades.

New High School And Middle School Courses

Officials said there will be new programs in the district next year, particularly to strengthen math and language arts.

The programs include, for the high school: AP Seminar English 11, Cybersecurity, AP African American studies, real estate economics and politics, Engineering with Applied Physics H (EPIC), sign language, and Fashion Design II.

In the middle school, kids can take mathematics applications 8, pop dance legends, Middle School 101, and more.

The budget will be up for a final vote at a future meeting.

See the presentation video and slides on the budget, new programs, enrollment, and more, on the district website here.

Find out how to attend the next board meeting, virtually or in person, here.