Lenape Regional High School District BOE Adopts 2025-2026 Budget

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.