April 30, 2025

On Wednesday, April 30, 2025, the Lenape Regional High School District (LRHSD) Board of Education adopted a $178.3 million General Fund budget for the 2025–2026 school year, a 1.92% increase over the previous year. This budget includes a reduction in state aid totaling $567,953 (a 3% decrease). The adoption comes amid ongoing declines in state funding, rising energy costs, and increasing health insurance expenses. 

The 2025–2026 budget accounts for a 14% increase in healthcare costs. The district continues to face a deficit in employee healthcare contributions due to the mandated NJ Educators Health Plan (Chapter 44). Although Chapter 44 was intended to reduce healthcare costs for both districts and employees, its implementation has resulted in significant financial losses for districts statewide. 

LRHSD Board of Education Finance Chair David Stow emphasized the board’s commitment to fiscal responsibility on behalf of the communities it serves. According to the New Jersey Department of Education’s Taxpayer’s Guide to Education Spending, LRHSD is ranked as the top-performing regional school district in the state, with the fewest administrators per faculty member and per student. Additionally, the district spends nearly 30% less than the state-mandated regional limit on administrative costs per pupil. 

This year’s state aid to LRHSD decreased by 3%, or $567,953, bringing the total state funding to just over $18.3 million. “It’s unbelievable that with all the tax dollars collected from community members in our eight townships, our district gets back pennies on the dollar from the state. With this latest reduction, the state is only funding 10.29% of our proposed budget for next year,” said Stow. 

Stow also noted that the funding cut could have been even more severe if not for last-minute adjustments made by the New Jersey Department of Education. “Some of the positive changes in how the state applied the funding formula this year are not written into law, which leaves us very uncertain about what to expect next year and beyond,” he said. 

Superintendent of Schools Dr. Carol Birnbohm expressed frustration with the instability of the state’s funding formula. “We continue to request an explanation of the changing multipliers from our elected officials and the Commissioner of Education, and we have not been provided any clear path to predict them. There needs to be accountability,” said Birnbohm. 

“We are relieved that we were able to balance this year’s budget without overburdening our taxpayers or cutting staff and student programs,” she added. “But while many districts are finding ways to expand opportunities with increased state aid, our administration is focused on simply maintaining the status quo. It’s frustrating that, despite the amount of money the state collects from our communities, we can’t afford basic services like a late bus - let alone invest in new, innovative programs that prepare our students for future success.” 

Despite limited state support, LRHSD continues to thrive as one of New Jersey’s top regional school districts, thanks to strong community backing and a dedicated staff committed to inspiring student success. 

With an average graduation rate of 96.2% across its four high schools, the district consistently outperforms state and national averages in Advanced Placement (AP) scores, SAT results, and other college and career readiness benchmarks. Innovation, creativity, and high achievement remain core to LRHSD’s mission. 

Budget details, including tax impacts for each sending district, are available on the Lenape Regional High School District website: www.lrhsd.org. For additional information, contact Business Administrator Kara Huber at 609-268-2000, ext. 556500, or khuber@lrhsd.org. 

 

• Lenape: At Lenape, our Robotics team, Red Watch Robotics, has continued to impress. They won the prestigious Engineering Inspiration Award at the District Championship at Lehigh University! This allowed them to progress to the FIRST Robotics World Championship in Houston, for the first time in district history. There, they won the Milstein Division Sustainability Award. Congratulations to the team for their hard work, innovation, and dedication. Lenape also continued to channel their school spirit this month. We celebrated another underground spirit day, where teachers dressed as their chosen decade. This led up to our spring spirit week, where students anticipated their spring break with themed days such as Adam Sandler Day, Floral Day, and White Lies Day.

• Cherokee: At Cherokee, their seniors had a fantastic senior week, as they prepared for their amazing trip to Disney. The class of 2025 had an extremely successful and memorable senior trip, as it was an amazing time for all that went. Prior to taking flight to Orlando, Cherokee hosted their annual senior day of service, in which the efforts of over 500 seniors had a lasting impact on multiple organizations and schools within Evesham Township. Cherokee spring sports are also off to a hot start. Congratulations to Hardik Agrawal who was selected by Senator Latham Tiver as the March Senior Spotlight Recipient.

• Shawnee: Shawnee is also celebrating some academic success with DECA students going to Orlando for the Deca International Career Development Conference. This is a major event, with over 25,000 DECA members. Shawnee was able to qualify for ICDC after placing top 4 in their competitive event at the State Career Development Conference. Congrats to the 10 students attending, and the team for their hard work! Shawnee also focused on some community service events this month.  They had a Wear Purple Day to support children from military families, and Animal Welfare and Students Actively Concerned clubs made blankets for a local animal shelter.

• Seneca: At the beginning of April, Seneca held their Golden Eagle Pageant. There, they had amazing acts and skits that all attendees enjoyed. After a fierce competition, the Mr. and Mrs. Seneca Golden Eagle Pageant winners were Will Cassel and Julia Kane. Seneca also had an exciting lead up to their Senior trip. Before the seniors went off to Disney, they had a spirit week for them. During the week, they dressed up every day in different Disney apparel, with days like Dynamic Duo Day, Heroes vs. Villains Day, and Disney Royalty Day. Finally, Congratulations to the Seneca Chamber Singers for winning gold at the 33rd annual Roxbury High School Choir Invitational!