Robbinsville school officials are preparing for larger class sizes and reduced programs if voters reject a March 10 referendum that would provide additional funding for the district.
The Board of Education is asking voters to approve a public question that would raise $5,031,476 to support the 2026-27 school budget.
Business Administrator Nick Mackres outlined a possible spending plan during a March 3 public meeting.
He said the projections remain uncertain because the referendum has not yet occurred and the district is not expected to learn its state aid allocation until March 12.
The Board of Education is expected to approve a tentative budget at its March 24 meeting.
“It is important to present the community with a transparent look at the financial pressures, structural reductions and critical decisions shaping our district’s future,” Mackres said.
“Even if the public question passes next Tuesday, we will not simply return to business as usual,” Mackres said. “The majority of planned cuts will be restored, but we will still need to `right size’ staffing to enrollment and eliminate some non-mandated expenses.”
School officials said several factors are placing pressure on the budget.
The district expects to lose 19 incoming freshmen to county vocational schools, with additional eighth graders projected to attend charter, private or nonpublic schools.
Officials said that decline could lead to the loss of two teaching positions and could threaten certain programs if enrollment continues to fall.
Health insurance costs are also expected to increase significantly. Mackres estimated premiums could rise by $1.8 million and potentially reach $2.4 million, which he said represents the most significant budget concern for the coming school year. Salaries and benefits account for about two-thirds of the district’s budget.
At the same time, the district anticipates a reduction in state aid. Officials hope the decrease will be limited to about $294,480, but Mackres said the cut could be as large as $5 million.
To generate revenue, the district plans to raise property taxes to the state-mandated cap, which would bring in about $936,591. Additional revenue sources include $77,156 in federal grants, $50,000 from after-care programs and the possibility of additional state preschool aid.
Even with those revenue sources, the district projects the need for about $2.4 million in budget reductions if the referendum fails.
Officials said that could include eliminating 15 staff positions, including one administrator.
Mackres said Robbinsville already operates with the lowest administrative costs and lowest per-pupil spending in Mercer County.
To balance the budget, administrators are recommending eliminating courtesy busing for 643 students, saving about $546,000, and reducing contracted school-based mental health clinicians, saving about $400,000.
Additional reductions could include $134,000 from sports programs, $59,000 from clubs, $134,000 from technology services and $100,000 from curriculum programming, including elimination of the AVID program.
The district could also cut $85,000 from the buildings and grounds budget.
School officials said those reductions would likely affect classroom instruction. Intervention programs could be eliminated at Pond Road Middle School and reduced to state minimum levels at Sharon Elementary School. C
lass sizes across the district would increase and elective course offerings could be reduced.
If state aid is reduced by more than 3%, officials said the cuts could affect mental health services, special education, class sizes, academic offerings, intervention programs and extracurricular activities.
Mackres said the current financial pressures could have long-term consequences for the district, including fewer teachers, more students leaving the district and fewer academic programs.
Officials also noted that continued residential development in Robbinsville adds complexity to long-range planning.
“However the vote next Tuesday comes out, our work to provide the best possible education for our students will continue,” Superintendent Patrick Pizzo said.
“We will adapt. And we will overcome to continue the great work we do at the Robbinsville Public School District.”
Residents can learn more about the referendum and budget information at robbinsville.k12.nj.us/90401_1.
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