LINWOOD — The Mainland Regional High School Board of Education approved a budget for 2026-27 on April 30 with a 4 percent tax levy increase and the reduction of eight teaching positions.
The administration introduced its 2026-27 budget to the Board of Education on March 23, outlining the grim financial situation that included cuts to staff, programs, coaches and advisers.
Chief School Administrator Mark Marrone provided a comprehensive presentation that outlined the spending plan and its effect on the community.
The increase boosts the levy for fiscal year 2027 to $22,442,788 a difference of $863,184. The spending plan includes a $431,592 adjustment for health benefits costs, allowing the levy to exceed the state-mandated cap of 2 percent.
Linwood property owners, who will fund just more than $7 million (28.18 percent) of the total levy, will see taxes drop by $22.26 for each $100,000 of assessed value.
Northfield homeowners, who will fund a little more than $7.3 million (29.45 percent), will realize an increase of $23.25 for each $100,000.
Somers Point will pick up the largest portion of the levy at $10.5 million, or 42.38 percent. That’s partially due to the bay-side city’s greater overall real estate value. (The city’s ratable base increased from $1.147 billion in 2025 to an estimated $1.163 billion this year.) The tax will jump $58.18 per $100,000 of value.
Following years of plummeting state aid, the district expects to collect $200,000 in extraordinary aid — to fund special education students — but lose funds in other areas. The net gain would be about $82,000 to a total of $6,806,500.
Federal funds are projected to drop due to decreased Medicaid-SEMI revenue.
A substantial draw from the fund balance is anticipated, decreasing by over $913,000 to cover operational needs.
According to the presentation, the net revenue gain falls quite short of the need, listed as $550,000 in salaries (3.7 percent), $90,000 in utilities, $230,000 in special education expenses and $1.2 million in health insurance (up 23.5 percent).
That equates to $2.07 million in increased expenses, creating a budget gap of $1.98 million for 2027.
Addressing budget gap
According to the presentation, the administration has identified specific areas for cuts, focusing on optimizing services and reprioritizing expenditures while aiming to minimize direct impact on student learning.
The largest area targeted is a shift in services and programming that is expected to save $1.65 million. It would include adjusting operational shifts, streamlining support services and making strategic reductions in programming through staff cuts, shared and purchased services and revised course offerings.
Another area, although much less financially impactful, is transportation optimization to save $200,000.
Finally, the district is looking to cut $135,000 for coaches and advisers by eliminating coaching, adviser and stipend positions.
According to the presentation, eight teaching positions and a daytime lifeguard position were eliminated. Also being cut are a security position, vestibule attendant and custodian position.
In addition, assistant coaching positions will be reduced, primarily for freshman sports, club/activity assistant adviser positions will be reduced and stipend positions that do not directly involve student interaction will be reduced.
Last year, the regional district cut 13 positions and reassigned 11 while raising the tax levy 3.64 percent.
To address the budget gap, 17 clubs and activities will be shuttered for the upcoming school year.
The district targeted those with consistently low or declining numbers, those with infrequent meetings or limited activity and programs requiring significant resources.
According to the presentation, the district is implementing changes in transportation and facilities management. Steps to be taken include sharing services with sending districts and eliminating three driver positions through restructuring.
Further cost reductions are being sought in the business office. The staff and business administrator will be shared with the Somers Point district. A media specialist will be shared with Northfield and occupational therapist with Linwood. In addition, busing and food service will be shared with Linwood.
– By CRAIG D. SCHENCK/Sentinel staff