‘Tough’ $171M school budget adopted; seven positions cut

BRICK TOWNSHIP — The Brick Township Board of Education adopted its $171,207,418 budget for 2025 to 2026 at its May 6 meeting. 

The $171 million budget is an increase of 2.92% from the previous year’s budget, according to Business Administrator James Edwards.

The budget is made up of $158,356,934 from the general fund and $12,850,484 from special revenues. The budget will see $134,767,772 to be raised from taxes. 

According to Superintendent Thomas Farrell, the cost per pupil across the Brick school district is $17,986. The budget includes an increase of 3.31% in the general fund and is increasing 2.92 percent on the expenditure side.

The budget has a tax levy increase of 3.14% over the 2% cap for a total of 5.14%, which includes debt service that the district is down to zero in and a reduction of seven full-time positions across the district.

For the 2025 to 2026 school year, 8,216 students are currently enrolled and the district’s special education population has risen 22.5%, its economically disadvantaged population has risen 42% and its English Language Leaner population has increased 7.2%.

The elementary school level is set to have an average class size of 24 per class, with six sections of 29 or more and five classes of 27 or more.

Director of human resources William Kleissler said, “Due to continued budget shortfalls, this year’s budget again results in the reduction of positions in the district. The budget includes the net reduction of seven full-time equivalent positions. The hope is that the net cuts are absorbed through retirements, registrations, attritions, etc. and additionally some vacancies not being filled.” 

“Brick School’s is still under adequacy, $28 million under adequacy. The adequacy budget is what the department of education says is a ‘through and efficient’ budget, which is constitutionally required. We are $48 million under our local fair share,” said Superintendent Farrell.  

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