In preparation for submission to the New Jersey Department of Education, the Lenape Regional High School District (LRHSD) Board of Education released the preliminary 2025-2026 school year budget. The total LRHSD 2025-2026 General Fund Operating Budget is $178,382,939, representing an increase from the previous year equal to 1.92%. The increase is the net difference of a 2% tax levy increase and no change in the Debt Service tax levy, which has remained the same for the past five years. 

"While we are happy to report that the administration was able to balance this year’s budget without reducing student programs, it is important to recognize that this was only possible due to our persistent advocacy for budgetary relief, the difficult decisions implemented last spring, and, once again, the sacrifices of our community in the form of taxation,” stated David Stow, Finance Chair of the Board of Education. 

LRHSD will experience another reduction in state aid for the upcoming fiscal year. The district faces a $567,953 cut in calculated state aid, along with the loss of $2,111,448 in Stabilization Aid, resulting in a total reduction of $2,679,401 in state funding for the 2025-2026 budget. 

These reductions come despite proposed changes in Governor Phil Murphy's Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Budget Address, which aim to address longstanding concerns raised by LRHSD and other districts. However, despite these adjustments, LRHSD continues to lose state aid—a deeply disappointing outcome that highlights the urgent need for further reform to the state’s funding formula. 

"These funding formula changes were intended to be a step in the right direction, but they fall short of addressing the full extent of the fiscal challenges LRHSD has faced for over 10 years," said Dr. Carol Birnbohm, Superintendent of Schools. "While we acknowledge efforts to address inequities, the continued loss of state aid remains a significant concern. Without notice or explanation, the NJDOE increased the multipliers in the Local Fair Share (LFS) calculation, placing an even greater financial burden on our taxpayers and further straining our district’s ability to provide quality educational programs and services."

Once approved by the Executive County Superintendent, the district will hold a public hearing of the budget and tax impact on Wednesday, April 30, 2025, 7:30 p.m. at the K. Kiki Konstantinos Administration and Staff Development Building, 93 Willow Grove Road, Shamong, New Jersey. 

The proposed General Fund Tax Levy increase of 2.00% and no Debt Service Tax Levy increase results in the tax impact outlined below: 

Evesham Township – Tax levy increase of 1.80 cents, resulting in an increase in regional school taxes of $46.03 on a home assessed at the township average of $272,483. 

Medford Township – Tax levy decrease of 1.42 cents, resulting in a decrease in regional school taxes of $51.33 on a home assessed at the township average of $330,345. 

Medford Lakes Borough - Tax levy increase of 7.24 cents, resulting in an increase in regional school taxes of $219.93 on a home assessed at the borough average of $290,821. 

Mt. Laurel Township – Tax levy increase of 3.24 cents, resulting in an increase in regional school taxes of $88.27 on a home assessed at the township average of $239,989. 

Shamong Township – Tax levy increase of 3.58 cents, resulting in an increase in regional school taxes of $115.88 on a home assessed at the township average of $311,138. 

Southampton Township – Tax levy decrease of 2.97 cents, resulting in a decrease in regional school taxes of $54.08 on a home assessed at the township average of $189,284. 

Tabernacle Township – Tax levy increase of .51 cents, resulting in an increase in regional school taxes of $11.61 on a home assessed at the township average of $274,091. 

Woodland Township – Tax levy decrease of .65 cents, resulting in a decrease in regional school taxes of $19.85 on a home assessed at the township average of $255,866.