LINWOOD — Staff and program cuts, coaching and adviser positions and a 4 percent tax levy increase are all on the table at Mainland Regional High School.
The administration introduced its 2026-27 budget to the Board of Education on March 23, outlining the grim financial situation.
“Key budget decisions ahead will shape programs, priorities and student support for the year to come. This review highlights what’s at stake and what’s needed to move forward responsibly,” Chief School Administrator Mark Marrone said during his presentation to the board.
The presentation provided figures for a 2 percent and 4 percent increase. Under the 2 percent increase, the $21,629,604 tax levy would rise to $22,011,196 for 2027, a difference of $481,592. That includes a doubling of miscellaneous revenue from $50,000 to $100,000.
The 4 percent increase, which is marked as “recommended” in the presentation, would boost the levy for 2027 to $22,543,013, a difference of $913,409. The spending plan includes a $431,592 adjustment for health benefits costs, allowing the levy to exceed the state-mandated cap.
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 $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,” Marrone said. “Despite these adjustments, the overall total operating funds show a slight increase due to the 4 percent tax increase.”
According to the presentation, the net revenue gain falls quite short of the need, listed as $550,000 in salaries (3.7 percent), $80,000 in utilities, $236,394 in budgeted 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.
Tax rate changes
by sending district
To fully close the budget gap, according to the presentation, a 4 percent tax levy increase is proposed because of the permitted health care adjustment.
Linwood property owners, who would fund just more than $7 million (28.18 percent) of the total levy, would see taxes drop by $22.26 for each $100,000 of assessed value.
Northfield homeowners, who would fund a little more than $7.3 million (29.45 percent), would realize an increase of $23.25 for each $100,000.
Somers Point, as is traditional, would 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 would jump $58.18 per $100,000 of value.
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.
Finally, the district is looking to cut $135,000 for coaches and advisers by eliminating coaching, adviser and stipend positions.
“This approach seeks to maintain fiscal responsibility while preserving core educational offerings,” Marrone said. “These decisions are not taken lightly. We must prioritize long-term fiscal health while striving to maintain the quality of services and minimize impact on our students and school community.”
According to the presentation, staff members affected by the reduction in force would be notified by the end of April.
Last year, the regional district cut 13 positions – five teaching, five administrative and three support staff — and reassigned 11 while raising the tax levy 3.64 percent.
The plan increased the tax rate 8 cents to 84.56 cents per $100, or $845.61 per $100,000, in Somers Point. That equated to a regional school tax bill of $2,536.83 on a $300,000 home.
The tax levy was $7.2 million and the tax rate 75.81 cents per $100 in Linwood, or $758.15 per $100,000. That equated to a regional school tax bill of $2,274.46 on a $300,000 home.
In Northfield, the levy rose to $7.05 million and tax rate 3.67 cents to 79.63 cents, or $796.36 per $100,000. That equated to a regional tax bill of $2,389.80 on a $300,000 home.
– By CRAIG D. SCHENCK/Sentinel staff