South Brunswick Schools Face Another Year of State Aid Cuts In 2026-27 Budget

SOUTH BRUNSWICK, NJ — The South Brunswick School District is set to receive $13,432,200 in state aid for the 2026-27 school year, according to figures released Thursday by the New Jersey Department of Education.

That represents a reduction of $415,429, or 3 percent, from the $13,847,629 the district received in 2025-26.

According to Superintendent Bernard Bragen, the district had anticipated the cuts and planned for it in advance.

"While we strongly disagree with the arbitrary way the S2 funding formula allocates state education aid, particularly the disproportionate burden it places on suburban communities, we anticipated this reduction and planned accordingly," Bragen told Patch.

"Our priority remains protecting the quality of education for our students despite the challenges created by the state’s funding decisions.”

The proposed 2026-27 allocation continues a years-long pattern of state aid reductions for the South Brunswick School District.

The district received $23.6 million in 2019-20, which dropped 8 percent to approximately $21.7 million for 2020-21. It fell again the following year, to $21,488,857 for 2021-22 — a decrease of $257,970.

For 2022-23, the district received $19,748,191, a reduction of $1,740,666 from the prior year. The steepest single-year cut came in 2023-24, when the district's allocation fell 20.6 percent, dropping $4,063,240 to $15,684,951.

Aid stood at $14,275,906 in 2024-25, before declining again to $13,847,629 in 2025-26 — a 3 percent cut.

The proposed 2026-27 figure of $13,432,200 would mark yet another 3 percent reduction, leaving the district with roughly $10.2 million less in annual state aid than it received seven years ago.

The new figures are part of Gov. Mikie Sherrill's proposed budget for 2026-27, which includes $12.4 billion for aid to the state's 574 public school districts — an increase over the $12.1 billion allocated in the 2025-26 budget. Similar to last year, most aid increases are capped at 6 percent and the majority of aid cuts are capped at 3 percent.

Of the 167 school districts slated for reductions, the cap saves those districts from losing an additional $188.4 million in aid. Statewide, 400 districts are receiving increases in aid.

In addition to the $12.4 billion in K-12 aid, Sherrill's proposed $60.7 billion budget includes $1.4 billion for preschool expansion, $15 million to increase high-impact tutoring, and $33 million for school-based mental health supports.

Sherrill also signaled broader education goals beyond funding, calling for consolidation and more shared services among school districts.

The 2026-27 state aid figures are part of the governor's proposed budget and remain subject to legislative approval.

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