Facilities, Grounds and Custodial Services Per Pupil Cost Break Down for Berkeley Heights, Chatham, New Providence, Summit, Millburn, Madison, and Westfield

Part Five of our effort to break down the 7-District Budget Dashboard in supporting residents of Berkeley Heights, Chatham, New Providence, Summit, Millburn, Madison, and Westfield provide more informed feedback to their Boards of Education during the upcoming budget process.

Maintenance for School Facilities

Millburn is the only district where costs decreased, dropping by $46.11 per pupil.

Berkeley Heights experienced the most significant increase, with per-pupil costs rising by $90.26.

Westfield had the lowest per-pupil spending in both years, with costs at $217.19 in 2024.

Custodial Services

Westfield had the biggest drop in per-pupil custodial service costs, decreasing by $38.43.

Summit had the most significant increase, with per-pupil costs rising by $89.40.

Care and Upkeep of Grounds

Madison experienced the largest increase, with per-pupil costs rising by $34.77.

Millburn had the biggest drop, with per-pupil costs decreasing by $11.15.

 Custodial Salaries

A resident in a Westfield Community group requested information on Custodial Salaries.

Chatham had the highest increase in Custodial Salaries from 2023 to 2024, rising from $346,487.33 to $367,518.83 (+$21,031.50 per building), while Berkeley Heights also saw a notable rise from $293,115.00 to $302,933.26 (+$9,818.26 per building).  Summit and Madison both saw significant drops between the two years.

Chatham had a steady increase each year, rising from $331,216.83 in 2021 to $367,518.83 in 2024, marking the highest per-building salary costs among all districts, while Berkeley Heights saw a notable increase from $282,836.28 in 2021 to $305,520.79 in 2022, followed by a dip in 2023 and a recovery in 2024 to $302,933.26.

Using projections based purely on linear statistical modeling, which does not account for retirements or price fluctuations, Chatham is expected to continue increasing, reaching $422,584.94 per building by 2029 and maintaining its lead in custodial spending, while Millburn and Berkeley Heights are projected to see steady growth, reaching $384,714.00 and $327,226.68 per building, respectively, by 2029.

However, projections for Madison and Summit should be interpreted with caution, as one-year fluctuations may have an outsized impact, potentially leading to an underestimation of future costs in both districts

Part One of the Series: Enrollment, Cost per Pupil, Instruction and Administration Spend

Part Two of Series: Administration, Support Services and Legal Services Per Pupil Cost Break Down

Part Three of Series: Special Needs

Part Four of Series: Transportation

Supplemental: Three Berkeley Heights Myths About Special Needs Students

Link to 7-District Budget Dashboard

Source Documents for Spreadsheet

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