How Changes in BT schools could affect our community

Big changes could be coming to Bernards schools, including staff cuts, a tax increase, and new fees for student activities.

Take a minute to read what’s being proposed and how it could impact our community 👇

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BASKING RIDGE, NJ — For the second year in a row, the Bernards Township School District delivered grim news on Monday when it introduced its preliminary budget for the 2026-27 school year.

In order to close an almost $6 million budget gap, the Bernards Township School District must reduce staff by $2.5 million, raise taxes by 4.98 percent, and start charging students for sports and activities.

Board member and Finance Liaison David Shaw said that after speaking with Superintendent Nick Markarian and Business Administrator Jim Rollo, "this was one of the most difficult budgets we’ve had to work through in all their years in the district."

"And I want to be transparent about that. I also want to be honest, this is the second very difficult budget year in a row, and that weighs heavily on all of us," said Shaw at the Monday Board of Education meeting. "We have been planning for this all year, and while the outcome is tough. We are satisfied as much as we can be, given the circumstances."

The proposed budget of $130,162,111 for the 2026-27 school year is an increase of 1.08 percent or roughly $1.394 million over the 2025-26 budget.