Taxes and budget

School budget and facilities

The school district's 2026-27 budget totals $123.6 million and raises $97,441,969 in local taxes for operations, up 6.37%. School tax is 2.457 of Montgomery's 3.607 tax rate. The elected Board of Education, not the Township Committee, decides the budget, the high school roof work and any referendum.

Checked against the primary record on . Every figure on this page is sourced at the foot of the article.

Referendum targeted for Nov 2027; no amount set Last moved

What happens next

The minutes of the Board of Education's October 13, 2026 meeting, which will show item 3.14 (the solar agreement) as adopted, are not yet posted. The 2027-28 budget calendar was on the same agenda. The board has targeted November 2027 for a facilities referendum; no amount has been set.

Who decides. The Montgomery Township School District is run by an elected Board of Education. The board adopts the school budget and sets the school tax levy, contracts for repairs and building work, and decides whether to put a referendum to voters. The Township Committee does not decide these matters; the township collects the school tax on each bill and passes it to the district.

The budget. The 2026-27 budget, adopted April 28, 2026 by a 7-0 vote with two abstentions (Wang and Nargund), totals $123,602,908, including a $117,514,863 general fund. It raises $97,441,969 in local taxes for operations, 6.37% more than the year before: the 2% allowed growth plus a $3,131,093 health-care cost adjustment and $875,963 of unused levy authority (“banked cap”) that was about to expire. School tax is the largest part of a Montgomery bill: 2.457 of the 2026 general rate of 3.607 per $100. Before the vote resident Raj Koltur presented a petition, which the Montgomery News reported had 445 signatures.

Facilities. In September 2026 the district’s facilities director reported “the need for repairs and replacements” of roofs at the high school. The October 13, 2026 agenda included district-wide roof repairs and, as item 3.14, the early end of a solar power-purchase agreement “in the amount not to exceed $31,134.79.” The board has targeted November 2027 for a facilities referendum, with no amount set, and its potential K-4 realignment has moved to the 2028-29 school year.

What residents can do. Board meetings take public comment; agendas and minutes are posted on the district’s board site. The budget for 2027-28 will be presented and heard in the spring.

The school budget and facilities, explained

Timeline

Each dated event on this issue, oldest first, linked to the full sourced entry.

  1. Resolved School board funds its share of state-grant HVAC and roof projectsOn four Schools Development Authority grant offers, the Board of Education authorized paying the district's $3,700,530 local share from its capital reserve. Total project costs: high school HVAC $1,790,250, Lower Middle School HVAC $1,989,100, Upper Middle School roofs $1,923,150 and Upper Middle School HVAC $465,050. The grants total $2,467,020.
  2. Pending School board targets November 2027 for a facilities referendumThe Board of Education's minutes record "it was understood that November 2027 would be the date targeted for public vote" on a facilities referendum, and the board authorized submission of its Long Range Facilities Plan. No amount or project list has been made public.
  3. Resolved School board adopts 2026-27 budget; operating levy up 6.37%After a public hearing, the Board of Education adopted a $123.6 million budget, 7-0 with two abstentions. It raises $97,441,969 in local taxes for operations, up 6.37%, using a $3,131,093 health-care adjustment and $875,963 of expiring banked cap on top of the 2% allowed growth.
  4. Active District reports the need for high school roof repairs and replacement; K-4 plan moves to 2028-29The Board of Education's minutes record the Director of Facilities reporting "the need for repairs and roof replacements at the High School." The same minutes refer to "the potential K-4 Realignment Project for the 2028-2029 school year," a year later than the start set in February.
  5. Pending School board agenda: end the high school solar agreement early, up to $31,134.79Item 3.14 on the Board of Education's October 13 agenda reads "Authorize Early Termination of Solar PPA with Vanguard Energy Partners, LLC in the amount not to exceed $31,134.79." Item 3.13 covers district-wide roof repairs. The minutes, which would show the item as adopted, are not yet posted.

Explainers

  • The School Budget and Facilities, Explained

    School tax is about two-thirds of every Montgomery property tax bill. The 2026-27 school budget raises $97,441,969 in local taxes for operations, up 6.37%, and the district is working through roof and HVAC repairs, including at the high school, ahead of a referendum it has targeted for November 2027. The elected Board of Education decides all of this, not the Township Committee. The figures, the facilities record, and what is not known.

Documents

The township's own records on this issue. Each links to the official copy.

Sources for this overview

  1. Montgomery Township School District, Advertised Budget 2026-2027
  2. NJ Department of Education, User Friendly Budget 2026-27, Montgomery Township School District
  3. Budget public hearing presentation, April 28, 2026
  4. Board of Education business meeting agenda, October 13, 2026
  5. Board of Education business meeting minutes, September 15, 2026
  6. Somerset County Board of Taxation (2026 Abstract of Ratables, breakdown of general tax rate)
  7. Board of Education business meeting minutes, April 28, 2026 (budget hearing and adoption)
  8. Montgomery News, April 30, 2026: school board approves 2026-27 budget with a 6.37% tax levy increase
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