Fix the Budget Before Marketing the Referendum or Giving Away School Resources

For too long, consultants and so-called experts have profited from advising our community while delivering little to no meaningful results. The time for talk is over—we need real action.

The BHPSNJ budget is bloated and mismanaged, with efforts to reform it met with obstruction, harassment, and public ridicule. For the past four years, BOE members seeking transparency have been stonewalled. But the situation is reaching a breaking point.

The Data Speaks for Itself

A review of enrollment and cost-per-pupil trends from 2014 to 2024 reveals a concerning financial trajectory:

• Enrollment has declined from 2,629 students in 2014 to 2,395 in 2024, a 9% drop. Projections indicate this trend will continue, reaching approximately 2,283 students by 2029.
• Cost per student has skyrocketed from $17,480 in 2014 to $29,520 in 2024—a 69% increase. By 2029, it is expected to surpass $35,000 per student.

With fewer students to serve, how is it possible that costs continue to rise so dramatically—while academic performance remains a concern?

Fiscal Accountability Must Come First

As the district seeks public approval for a referendum—an otherwise reasonable approach—it must first prove it can manage finances responsibly. A strong Finance Committee, led by BOE members with relevant expertise, is essential. Yet, despite having two qualified individuals on the committee this year, they face major obstacles:

• A Business Administrator who treats public dollars as a state secret.
• A BOE member who believes obstructing financial scrutiny is an act of heroism.

If the new Superintendent is committed to restoring trust, the first step must be full transparency. The transparency efforts initiated by Ms. Khanna last year should be expanded—BOE members must have access to financial records. Trust begins with the budget, the most tangible reflection of the district’s priorities.

The district continues to allocate funds in ways that do not prioritize student learning:

• Administrative costs: The district does not need an Assistant Superintendent—yet one was hired. A minor administrative cost reduction last year may have resulted from unfilled positions rather than deliberate cuts. If student enrollment is declining, administrative staffing should follow.
• Security spending: Security costs have nearly doubled in one year, an unjustifiable increase. Yet the Mayor, Township Administrator, Recreation Chair and Police Chief show up to a BOE Meeting demanding that our District cover benefits and costs in ways that most other Districts would balk at. Additionally, the Township Administrator has failed to answer basic questions about invoices that do not appear to match the reported expenditures.

• Athletics budget: Spending on athletics is well above regional averages, yet the district still created a $100,000 boutique position last year. However the Mayor, Council, Town Administrator and Recreation Chair expect the District to simply give away valuable assets to the township to further this area with no revenue sharing to support other students. The District does not need the Township to get a turf field done. It has 4 million in reserves. It does not need Scutari’s Grants, it does not need a public relations firm nor does it need to give yet another thing the township will hold over the District’s throat the next time it wants something.

• Meanwhile, textbook funding is virtually nonexistent.

According to the ACFR (Annual Comprehensive Financial Report), BHPSNJ has the highest per-pupil costs in multiple categories compared to six other districts:

• General Administration: $567 per student (average: $372)
• Athletics: $475 per student (average: $343)
• Employee Benefits: $4,190 per student (average: $3,767)
• Guidance: $535 per student (average: $402)

Out of 33 spending categories, BHPSNJ ranks first or second highest in 14 areas.

A Budget That Prioritizes Students, Not Bureaucracy

The district must demonstrate financial responsibility by redirecting funds toward services that directly impact academic success. If BHPSNJ insists on increasing budgets despite declining enrollment, that money must be used to benefit students and families—not administrative bloat, development projects for campaign donors or job programs for political allies.

Instead of excessive spending on security programs and athletics trainers, the focus should be on:

Tutoring programs available after school
Updated textbooks to support learning
Expanded co-curricular activities to enrich students’ educational experience

Taxpayers—especially parents who already invest their time and money into the schools—deserve a budget that makes sense.

If the district cannot justify its spending now, approving a referendum or lease agreement would be nothing more than stacking one financial mess on top of another while giving away valuable resources.

Read More on the BHPSNJ Budget

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