Generated district lead index
District budget lead index
This page turns the statewide UFB warehouse into a district-by-district assignment desk: one first budget question, the evidence values that made it rise, a reporting move, and the report section that can prove or complicate the read.
NJDOE User-Friendly Budgets, 2025-26 latest year. Money changes are converted to 2025 dollars where labeled real or inflation-adjusted. How this budget data works
District rows595
Linked reports582
Active routes11
Lead families17
Operating scale$35.5B
Mean cost$23,591
Read the statewide reportFull synthesis path.
Browse reporting leadsIssue-level assignment prompts.
Compare budget modelsStructure frames before rankings.
Understand measuresUnits, denominators, and caveats.
Choose comparison framesCounty, model, scale, and slices.
Understand categoriesPupil-cost and source-row lenses.
Build storylinesClaims and counter-readings.
Trace source mapFiles, row coverage, and caveats.
Start from a questionIssue briefs and caveats.
Story routes by reader question
This route layer keeps the district index from becoming only a raw score sort. Each row starts from the reader question, shows how many district first reads point that way, names the strongest examples, and links to the evidence surface that can prove or complicate the route.
| Story route | Reader question | Strongest examples | Reporting move | Block before writing | Open next |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Compare cost position47 primary district leads; Cost position (47) | Is the district expensive, or just in a high-cost peer group?Start with county and slice comparisons before sorting individual districts. | Bergen Co Special ServicePublished comparative cost is $103,100.rank #1 statewide and #1 inside Bergen County.real comparative-cost movement is -$16,625.Mercer Co Special Services School DistrictPublished comparative cost is $95,262.rank #2 statewide and #1 inside Mercer County.real comparative-cost movement is +$3,946.Burlington Co Spec ServPublished comparative cost is $79,585.rank #3 statewide and #1 inside Burlington County.real comparative-cost movement is -$13,833. | Pull Budget presentation, adopted budget book, staffing/program notes, and local peer reports.Ask whether county, scale, grade span, placements, transfers, or side files explain the rank. | Comparative cost is NJDOE's published line; this page does not recompute it from operating budget and enrollment. | Compare cost positionCompare slicesCheck real movement by groupFind districts |
| Check real movement3 primary district leads; Per-student cost anatomy (3) | Did the story change after inflation, or is it ordinary nominal budget growth?Use the inflation-adjusted trend, then open the arithmetic decomposition. | Monmouth-Ocean Ed Ser ComReal operating budget per UFB on-roll moved -$733,875.budget effect +$328,230.enrollment effect -$1.1M.driver: Real per-student decrease.Northern Region Educational Services CommissionReal operating budget per UFB on-roll moved +$105,621.budget effect +$76,509.enrollment effect +$29,112.driver: Real operating-budget growth.Dover TownReal operating budget per UFB on-roll moved +$10,681.budget effect +$9,568.enrollment effect +$1,113.driver: Real operating-budget growth. | Pull Multi-year budgets, enrollment assumptions, staffing rosters, labor agreements, and major contracts.Separate budget-numerator movement from UFB planning-enrollment movement before naming a cause. | UFB years mix actual, revised, original, and proposed budget bases; read real movement as a reporting screen. | Check real movementStatewide trendPer-student anatomyFunding shifts |
| Read the current proposal43 primary district leads; Current proposal change (43) | What changes now in the proposed column before the long-run trend is interpreted?Separate latest-file proposed changes from first-to-latest inflation movement. | Roosevelt BoroOperating budget changes -$30,691.published comparative-cost row changes +$7,059.largest revenue driver is Tax levy (+$70,918).largest use driver is Capital outlay (-$237,932).Sea Girt BoroOperating budget changes -$278,093.published comparative-cost row changes +$5,688.largest revenue driver is Local revenue (+$193,142).largest use driver is Capital outlay (-$483,600).Beach Haven BoroOperating budget changes +$117,138.published comparative-cost row changes -$7,810.largest revenue driver is State revenue (+$67,192).largest use driver is General current (+$272,914). | Pull Proposed budget, revised/current column support, adoption minutes, budget hearing deck, and district FAQ.Ask what is recurring, one-time, grant-funded, enrollment-driven, negotiated, or reclassified. | Proposal changes are nominal latest-file dollars, not CPI-adjusted trend dollars. | Read the current proposalProposal changesChanged named linesDistrict proposal rows |
| Explain categories15 primary district leads; Spending/category family (14); Budget model and use structure (1) | Which spending or revenue family makes the budget look different?Read standardized pupil-cost rows and family trends before raw source rows. | East OrangeSchool-based budgeting: School-based budgeting moved -$42.6M since 2019-20.Federal grants changes -$17.8M in the latest file.State aid represents 93% of operating scale.Educational Services Commission of New JerseyOther named rows: Other named rows moved +$34.7M since 2019-20.Fund balance and reserves changes -$10.2M in the latest file.Transportation represents 68% of operating scale.Weehawken TwpOther named rows: Other named rows changes -$13.0M in the latest file.Transfers and tuition moved -$1.9M since 2019-20.Local taxes and local sources represents 94% of operating scale. | Pull Line-item budget, source-row proof sections, category atlas, proposal support, and local peer reports.Ask whether the named family is current scale, a peer gap, real movement, a current proposal move, or outside-operating context. | Families and pupil-cost rows can be nested or contextual; they are reporting lenses, not one additive schedule. | Explain categoriesPupil-cost categoriesBudget families over timeFamily atlas |
| Separate outside-operating money149 primary district leads; Outside-operating family (147); Budget model and use structure (2) | Is the story about grants, special revenue, capital, facilities, or debt rather than recurring operating spending?Use source-family scale and the outside-operating model cluster before reading all-funds movement as an operating-budget story. | Paramus BoroCapital, facilities, and debt: Capital, facilities, and debt changes -$40.1M in the latest file.Local taxes and local sources represents 93% of operating scale.Trenton Public School DistrictCapital, facilities, and debt: Capital, facilities, and debt changes -$72.5M in the latest file.State aid represents 100% of operating scale.Hillsborough TwpCapital, facilities, and debt: Capital, facilities, and debt moved +$31.0M since 2019-20.Local taxes and local sources represents 86% of operating scale. | Pull Grant schedules, capital/debt schedules, line-item budget, source-row proof sections, and project or bond records.Ask whether the signal belongs to grants, capital, facilities, or debt before reading it as recurring operating spending. | Outside-operating rows use operating budget only as a scale reference; they are not one additive operating mix or recurring classroom spending. | Separate outside-operating moneyOutside-operating familiesModel clusterSource-row proofFind districts |
| Check labor and resources1 primary district leads; Labor/resource family (1) | Is the budget story about salary-bearing categories, benefits, listed roles, or school-resource allocations?Separate standardized pupil-cost categories, source-row families, selected administrative salary files, and school-resource statements before making a staffing claim. | Camden Co Ed Serv CommAdministration and central services: Administration and central services moved +$1.3M since 2019-20.Transportation represents 189% of operating scale. | Pull Pupil-cost salary and benefit rows, source-row proof sections, selected administrative salary rows, contracts, and staffing context.Ask whether benefit, administration, or resource rows are current scale, peer gap, real movement, or a latest proposal move. | These rows do not equal full payroll, staffing counts, contracts, total compensation, or school-level adequacy. | Check labor and resourcesPupil-cost categoriesBenefits and family trendsLeadership/resources |
| Follow operating funding104 primary district leads; Operating funding family (100); Funding model shift (4) | Did the budget move toward local levy, state aid, federal revenue, or fund balance?Use operating funding shifts before moving into tax-rate, tax-base, or all-funds questions. | Asbury Park CityState aid: State aid moved -$43.3M since 2019-20.Special revenue funds sits +34 pts vs county average.Local taxes and local sources represents 60% of operating scale.Linden CityState aid: State aid moved +$34.4M since 2019-20.Federal grants changes -$19.9M in the latest file.Transfers and tuition sits -11 pts vs county average.North Brunswick TwpState aid: State aid moved +$30.3M since 2019-20.Capital, facilities, and debt changes -$7.6M in the latest file.Fund balance and reserves sits -7 pts vs county average. | Pull State-aid notices, levy worksheet, fund-balance notes, source-row proof sections, and tax-impact materials.Ask whether the source-family signal is a current revenue scale issue, a peer gap, a real movement, or a proposal-column move. | Operating revenue is General Fund operating revenue, not all-funds revenue or a property-tax bill. | Follow operating fundingFunding shiftsRevenue line movementFunding families |
| Check tax burden9 primary district leads; Tax effort and tax base (9) | Is the local burden about levy per student, estimated rate, tax base, or regional tax slices?Separate the operating levy, estimated rate, equalized value, taxable value, regional slices, and levy-basis gaps before quoting one tax number. | Beverly CityDriver: High estimated tax rate.estimated rate 1.521 per $100.tax levy per UFB on-roll $8,359.equalized value per UFB on-roll $559,510.slices 1.Bernards TwpDriver: Summary levy differs from esttax total levy.estimated rate 1.133 per $100.tax levy per UFB on-roll $21,100.equalized value per UFB on-roll $1.9M.slices 1.Montgomery TwpDriver: Summary levy differs from esttax total levy.estimated rate 1.400 per $100.tax levy per UFB on-roll $20,876.equalized value per UFB on-roll $1.6M.slices 2. | Pull Tax-rate side file, levy worksheet, municipal/regional slices, valuation notes, and budget tax-impact materials.Separate levy per student, estimated rate, equalized value, and regional allocation before writing burden. | Estimated tax-rate rows are side-file context, not tax-bill advice, audited property-tax data, or an operating spending total. | Check tax burdenTax effortFunding shiftsFind districts |
| Test one-time support72 primary district leads; One-time support (56); Fund balance/reserve family (16) | Is the budget leaning on fund balance, reserve withdrawals, or carryover that must be checked for recurrence?Use both operating-budget share and dollars, then compare with close-year balance rows, proposal movement, and local peer context. | Atlantic CityFund-balance, reserve, and carryover source rows total $77.9M, 27% of proposed operating-budget scale.largest named row is Capital reserve withdrawals at $49.3M.Essex Co Voc-TechFund-balance, reserve, and carryover source rows total $14.5M, 22% of proposed operating-budget scale.largest named row is Budgeted fund balance at $14.5M.Woodbury CityFund-balance, reserve, and carryover source rows total $11.4M, 22% of proposed operating-budget scale.largest named row is Capital reserve withdrawals at $9.8M. | Pull Fund-balance appropriation notes, reserve withdrawal rows, board minutes, and audit or ACFR schedules.Ask whether the source recurs, replaces aid or levy, bridges a one-year plan, or draws restricted reserves. | These are planned UFB revenue-source rows, not audited cash stress, proof of a structural deficit, or recurring operating revenue. | Test one-time supportStatewide leadOne-time clusterFilter districts |
| Check students and service load133 primary district leads; Student/service family (128); Student and service load (3); Fall enrollment and need (2) | Is a per-student comparison really about denominator, placements, or student need?Put UFB planning enrollment, service-load rows, and fall enrollment beside the cost claim. | Atlantic Co VocationalTransfers and tuition: Transfers and tuition moved -$12.1M since 2019-20.Local taxes and local sources sits -31 pts vs county average.State aid represents 55% of operating scale.Woodstown-Pilesgrove RegPreschool: Preschool moved +$6.0M since 2019-20.State aid sits -11 pts vs county average.Federal grants changes -$1.9M in the latest file.Eatontown BoroPreschool: Preschool moved +$5.2M since 2019-20.Special revenue funds sits +20 pts vs county average.Local taxes and local sources represents 89% of operating scale. | Pull Tuition and placement schedules, preschool aid records, service-load rows, contracts, and source-row proof sections.Ask whether transfers, tuition, preschool, or special-education/support rows explain the comparison frame. | UFB on-roll is a budget denominator and can differ from the fall enrollment denominator used elsewhere on the site. | Check students and service loadService-load rowsFall enrollmentDenominator effect |
| Read side-file context19 primary district leads; Unusual and shared-service context (11); Balances and reserves (8) | Which balances, reserves, unusual items, shared services, or listed roles change the story?Search side files after the main operating-budget route is clear. | Kingwood TwpDriver: High balance-to-budget cushion.estimated balances/reserves are $5.0M, 56% of operating-budget scale.largest category is Capital reserve.real movement is +$2.3M.Elizabeth CityDriver: Large real balance growth.estimated balances/reserves are $114.2M, 17% of operating-budget scale.largest category is Capital reserve.real movement is +$94.2M.North Hanover TwpDriver: High balance-to-budget cushion.estimated balances/reserves are $50.1M, 144% of operating-budget scale.largest category is Impact aid reserve.real movement is +$8.7M. | Pull Recap balance rows, audit or ACFR reserve schedules, board reserve actions, and budget notes.Ask what is restricted, recurring, planned drawdown, cushion, or close-year projection. | Side-file rows are context and district self-reporting, not audited offsets or replacement spending totals. | Read side-file contextBalances and reservesUnusual/shared servicesLeadership/resources |
Route counts are based on each district's generated primary lead. Districts can still carry secondary signals in the multi-signal matrix, story scorecard, county map, and full report.
Where one sentence is not enough
These districts have the strongest simultaneous signals across cost, proposal movement, funding and category rows, student denominators, labor/resource files, tax context, reserves, unusual items, or side files. The point is to block a too-simple story before the longer matrix: start with the primary lane, then keep the other evidence groups open.
| District | Primary lane | Other signals to keep open | Blocked shortcut | Open proof |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Wildwood CityCape May County; 10 signals across 6 groups | Cost positionWhy does this district sit high on the published comparative-cost line?Published comparative cost is $55,374; rank #7 statewide and #2 inside Cape May County; real comparative-cost movement is +$10,767. | Funding and categories: Proposal moveSpecial revenue funds changes -$681,080 in the latest fileStudents and denominator: High fall need and high costUFB vs fall gap -4; FRL 54%; multilingual learners 3%.Cost and peers: High cost position$55,374; #7 NJ / #2 county; real movement +$10,767Tax and side files: High levy per UFB on-rollEstimated rate 0.159 per $100; tax levy per UFB on-roll $48,842; 1 slice(s).Tax and side files: High balance-to-budget cushion$4.5M estimated balances/reserves; 47% of operating scale; largest: Capital reserve. | Do not write this as a single-lane budget story. Keep Funding and categories, Students and denominator, Cost and peers, and Tax and side files in the same read.Comparative cost is NJDOE's published row. It needs county, model, student-load, and side-file context before becoming a spending-quality claim. | Primary proofProposal moveHigh fall need and high costHigh levy per UFB on-rollHigh balance-to-budget cushion |
| Jersey CityHudson County; 10 signals across 6 groups | One-time supportIs the budget using fund balance, reserve, or carryover support that needs a recurrence check?Fund-balance, reserve, and carryover source rows total $160.2M, 18% of proposed operating-budget scale; largest named row is Budgeted fund balance at $148.8M. | Tax and side files: Summary levy differs from esttax total levyEstimated rate 0.858 per $100; tax levy per UFB on-roll $16,807; 1 slice(s).Cost and peers: Cost comparison$28,117; #66 NJ / #1 county; real movement +$7,142Funding and categories: Other or fund-balance reliance roseLatest mix 69% local / 15% state; local shift +42 pts, state shift -57 pts.Students and denominator: UFB denominator above fall enrollmentUFB vs fall gap +6,494; FRL 54%; multilingual learners 16%.Tax and side files: One-time support$160.2M in fund-balance, reserve, or carryover rows; 18% of operating scale. | Do not write this as a single-lane budget story. Keep Tax and side files, Cost and peers, Funding and categories, and Students and denominator in the same read.These are planned UFB revenue-source rows, not audited cash stress, proof of a structural deficit, or recurring operating revenue. | Primary proofSummary levy differs from esttax total levyCost comparisonOther or fund-balance reliance roseUFB denominator above fall enrollment |
| Asbury Park CityMonmouth County; 9 signals across 6 groups | Operating funding familyWhich aid lines explain dependence on state funding or first-to-latest movement?State aid: State aid moved -$43.3M since 2019-20; Special revenue funds sits +34 pts vs county average; Local taxes and local sources represents 60% of operating scale. | Funding and categories: Real movementState aid moved -$43.3M since 2019-20Cost and peers: High cost position$33,850; #23 NJ / #5 county; real movement -$8,306Students and denominator: UFB denominator above fall enrollmentUFB vs fall gap +860; FRL 71%; multilingual learners 21%.Tax and side files: Summary levy differs from esttax total levyEstimated rate 0.982 per $100; tax levy per UFB on-roll $17,548; 1 slice(s).Funding and categories: Local share rose as state share fellLatest mix 63% local / 30% state; local shift +50 pts, state shift -46 pts. | Do not write this as a single-lane budget story. Keep Funding and categories, Cost and peers, Students and denominator, and Tax and side files in the same read.Source-family rows can be nested, contextual, or outside recurring operating basis. They are reporting leads, not one additive spending ledger or a causal finding. | Primary proofHigh cost positionUFB denominator above fall enrollmentSummary levy differs from esttax total levyLocal share rose as state share fell |
| Ramapo-Indian Hill RegBergen County; 9 signals across 6 groups | Cost positionWhy does this district sit high on the published comparative-cost line?Published comparative cost is $30,602; rank #45 statewide and #7 inside Bergen County; real comparative-cost movement is +$4,569. | Funding and categories: Real movementCapital, facilities, and debt moved -$6.9M since 2019-20Cost and peers: High cost position$30,602; #45 NJ / #7 county; real movement +$4,569Tax and side files: High levy per UFB on-rollEstimated rate 0.381 per $100; tax levy per UFB on-roll $31,535; 3 slice(s).Tax and side files: Falling close-year balance$14.6M estimated balances/reserves; 21% of operating scale; largest: Capital reserve.Students and denominator: UFB on-roll declinedSent placements 2%; special-education on-roll 17%; UFB on-roll movement -20%. | Do not write this as a single-lane budget story. Keep Funding and categories, Cost and peers, Tax and side files, and Students and denominator in the same read.Comparative cost is NJDOE's published row. It needs county, model, student-load, and side-file context before becoming a spending-quality claim. | Primary proofReal movementHigh levy per UFB on-rollFalling close-year balanceUFB on-roll declined |
| Sea Girt BoroMonmouth County; 9 signals across 6 groups | Current proposal changeWhat does the latest proposed budget column change right now?Operating budget changes -$278,093; published comparative-cost row changes +$5,688; largest revenue driver is Local revenue (+$193,142); largest use driver is Capital outlay (-$483,600). | Funding and categories: Real movementCapital, facilities, and debt moved -$3.2M since 2019-20Cost and peers: High cost position$38,409; #16 NJ / #3 county; real movement +$1,352Students and denominator: Receives many outside studentsSent placements 33%; special-education on-roll 11%; UFB on-roll movement -10%.Tax and side files: High balance-to-budget cushion$2.8M estimated balances/reserves; 45% of operating scale; largest: Capital reserve.Tax and side files: High levy per UFB on-rollEstimated rate 0.132 per $100; tax levy per UFB on-roll $38,951; 1 slice(s). | Do not write this as a single-lane budget story. Keep Funding and categories, Cost and peers, Students and denominator, and Tax and side files in the same read.Proposal changes are nominal latest-file dollars, not the inflation-adjusted multi-year trend. | Primary proofReal movementHigh cost positionReceives many outside studentsHigh balance-to-budget cushion |
| Alpine BoroBergen County; 9 signals across 6 groups | Cost positionWhy does this district sit high on the published comparative-cost line?Published comparative cost is $35,241; rank #19 statewide and #3 inside Bergen County; real comparative-cost movement is -$9,471. | Funding and categories: Real movementFund balance and reserves moved +$1.7M since 2019-20Cost and peers: High cost position$35,241; #19 NJ / #3 county; real movement -$9,471Tax and side files: High balance-to-budget cushion$6.1M estimated balances/reserves; 68% of operating scale; largest: Capital reserve.Labor and resources: High listed admin salary per UFB on-rolllisted admin base $909,774; $5,651 per UFB on-roll; highest row $210,000; components $181,294.Tax and side files: High levy per UFB on-rollEstimated rate 0.367 per $100; tax levy per UFB on-roll $47,637; 1 slice(s). | Do not write this as a single-lane budget story. Keep Funding and categories, Cost and peers, Tax and side files, and Labor and resources in the same read.Comparative cost is NJDOE's published row. It needs county, model, student-load, and side-file context before becoming a spending-quality claim. | Primary proofReal movementHigh balance-to-budget cushionHigh levy per UFB on-rollPlacement-heavy planning load |
| Lakewood TwpOcean County; 9 signals across 6 groups | Cost positionWhy does this district sit high on the published comparative-cost line?Published comparative cost is $32,375; rank #35 statewide and #3 inside Ocean County; real comparative-cost movement is +$9,818. | Tax and side files: High unusual-item scaleUnusual rows $144.7M; shared-service rows 0; reported savings $0.Cost and peers: High cost position$32,375; #35 NJ / #3 county; real movement +$9,818Students and denominator: UFB denominator above fall enrollmentUFB vs fall gap +788; FRL 90%; multilingual learners 45%.Students and denominator: UFB on-roll declinedSent placements 11%; special-education on-roll 20%; UFB on-roll movement -20%.Current proposal: Proposed comparative cost decreaseOperating -$32.4M; cost line -$2,764; General current -$40.2M. | Do not write this as a single-lane budget story. Keep Tax and side files, Cost and peers, Students and denominator, and Current proposal in the same read.Comparative cost is NJDOE's published row. It needs county, model, student-load, and side-file context before becoming a spending-quality claim. | Primary proofHigh unusual-item scaleUFB denominator above fall enrollmentProposed comparative cost decreaseReal movement |
| Bridgeton CityCumberland County; 8 signals across 6 groups | Operating funding familyWhich federal rows are large, concentrated, or fading after pandemic-era aid?Federal grants: Federal grants changes -$28.9M in the latest file; Local taxes and local sources sits -27 pts vs county average; State aid represents 94% of operating scale. | Funding and categories: Proposal moveFederal grants changes -$28.9M in the latest fileStudents and denominator: High fall need and high costUFB vs fall gap -387; FRL 80%; multilingual learners 37%.Cost and peers: Cost comparison$25,903; #108 NJ / #1 county; real movement +$5,061Tax and side files: Large real balance growth$41.5M estimated balances/reserves; 25% of operating scale; largest: Capital reserve.Tax and side files: One-time support$20.8M in fund-balance, reserve, or carryover rows; 13% of operating scale. | Do not write this as a single-lane budget story. Keep Funding and categories, Students and denominator, Cost and peers, and Tax and side files in the same read.Source-family rows can be nested, contextual, or outside recurring operating basis. They are reporting leads, not one additive spending ledger or a causal finding. | Primary proofHigh fall need and high costCost comparisonLarge real balance growthCapital proposal decrease |
| Saddle River BoroBergen County; 8 signals across 6 groups | Cost positionWhy does this district sit high on the published comparative-cost line?Published comparative cost is $42,505; rank #12 statewide and #2 inside Bergen County; real comparative-cost movement is +$11,581. | Funding and categories: Proposal moveCapital, facilities, and debt changes -$563,038 in the latest fileStudents and denominator: Placement-heavy planning loadSent placements 162%; special-education on-roll 8%; UFB on-roll movement -29%.Cost and peers: High cost position$42,505; #12 NJ / #2 county; real movement +$11,581Tax and side files: High levy per UFB on-rollEstimated rate 0.380 per $100; tax levy per UFB on-roll $77,193; 1 slice(s).Labor and resources: High listed admin salary per UFB on-rolllisted admin base $646,840; $4,976 per UFB on-roll; highest row $173,000; components $26,768. | Do not write this as a single-lane budget story. Keep Funding and categories, Students and denominator, Cost and peers, and Tax and side files in the same read.Comparative cost is NJDOE's published row. It needs county, model, student-load, and side-file context before becoming a spending-quality claim. | Primary proofProposal movePlacement-heavy planning loadHigh levy per UFB on-rollHigh listed admin salary per UFB on-roll |
| Warren Co Special ServiceWarren County; 8 signals across 6 groups | Cost positionWhy does this district sit high on the published comparative-cost line?Published comparative cost is $50,000; rank #9 statewide and #1 inside Warren County; real comparative-cost movement is -$5,004. | Labor and resources: High listed admin salary per UFB on-rolllisted admin base $395,700; $65,950 per UFB on-roll; highest row $137,700; components $124,168.Students and denominator: High special-education on-rollSent placements 0%; special-education on-roll 100%; UFB on-roll movement n/a.Students and denominator: No same-year fall enrollment matchUFB vs fall gap n/a; FRL n/a; multilingual learners n/a.Cost and peers: High cost position$50,000; #9 NJ / #1 county; real movement -$5,004Tax and side files: High balance-to-budget cushion$144,032 estimated balances/reserves; 48% of operating scale; largest: Unrestricted general operating balance. | Do not write this as a single-lane budget story. Keep Labor and resources, Students and denominator, Cost and peers, and Tax and side files in the same read.Comparative cost is NJDOE's published row. It needs county, model, student-load, and side-file context before becoming a spending-quality claim. | Primary proofHigh listed admin salary per UFB on-rollHigh special-education on-rollReal movementCurrent scale |
| West New York TownHudson County; 7 signals across 6 groups | One-time supportIs the budget using fund balance, reserve, or carryover support that needs a recurrence check?Fund-balance, reserve, and carryover source rows total $30.3M, 16% of proposed operating-budget scale; largest named row is Budgeted fund balance at $29.5M. | Funding and categories: Real movementFund balance and reserves moved +$24.1M since 2019-20Students and denominator: High fall need and state-fundedUFB vs fall gap -28; FRL 82%; multilingual learners 21%.Tax and side files: One-time support$30.3M in fund-balance, reserve, or carryover rows; 16% of operating scale.Funding and categories: Other or fund-balance reliance roseLatest mix 11% local / 74% state; local shift -4 pts, state shift -7 pts.Current proposal: Fund-balance proposal shiftOperating +$17.3M; cost line +$1,061; General current +$13.2M. | Do not write this as a single-lane budget story. Keep Funding and categories, Students and denominator, Tax and side files, and Current proposal in the same read.These are planned UFB revenue-source rows, not audited cash stress, proof of a structural deficit, or recurring operating revenue. | Primary proofReal movementHigh fall need and state-fundedOther or fund-balance reliance roseFund-balance proposal shift |
| Ocean CityCape May County; 7 signals across 6 groups | Fund balance/reserve familyIs the district leaning on fund balance, capital reserve, maintenance reserve, or similar one-time sources?Fund balance and reserves: Fund balance and reserves moved +$6.3M since 2019-20; Local taxes and local sources represents 52% of operating scale. | Funding and categories: Real movementFund balance and reserves moved +$6.3M since 2019-20Tax and side files: Many shared-service arrangementsUnusual rows $0; shared-service rows 16; reported savings $0.Students and denominator: Receives many outside studentsSent placements <1%; special-education on-roll 8%; UFB on-roll movement -22%.Tax and side files: One-time support$5.5M in fund-balance, reserve, or carryover rows; 11% of operating scale.Current proposal: Mixed proposal movementOperating +$3.8M; cost line +$835; Capital outlay +$3.0M. | Do not write this as a single-lane budget story. Keep Funding and categories, Tax and side files, Students and denominator, and Current proposal in the same read.Source-family rows can be nested, contextual, or outside recurring operating basis. They are reporting leads, not one additive spending ledger or a causal finding. | Primary proofMany shared-service arrangementsReceives many outside studentsMixed proposal movementReal movement |
| Gloucester Co Spec ServGloucester County; 7 signals across 6 groups | Cost positionWhy does this district sit high on the published comparative-cost line?Published comparative cost is $64,243; rank #4 statewide and #1 inside Gloucester County; real comparative-cost movement is -$8. | Funding and categories: Proposal moveSpecial revenue funds changes -$5.2M in the latest fileStudents and denominator: High homelessness shareUFB vs fall gap +42; FRL 21%; multilingual learners <1%.Students and denominator: High special-education on-rollSent placements 0%; special-education on-roll 100%; UFB on-roll movement -12%.Cost and peers: High cost position$64,243; #4 NJ / #1 county; real movement -$8Labor and resources: Shared administrative roleslisted admin base $3.6M; $6,874 per UFB on-roll; highest row $179,375; components $458,239; shared rows 1. | Do not write this as a single-lane budget story. Keep Funding and categories, Students and denominator, Cost and peers, and Labor and resources in the same read.Comparative cost is NJDOE's published row. It needs county, model, student-load, and side-file context before becoming a spending-quality claim. | Primary proofProposal moveHigh homelessness shareShared administrative rolesProposed comparative cost decrease |
| Somerset Co VocationalSomerset County; 7 signals across 6 groups | Cost positionWhy does this district sit high on the published comparative-cost line?Published comparative cost is $32,638; rank #30 statewide and #1 inside Somerset County; real comparative-cost movement is -$8,649. | Cost and peers: High cost position$32,638; #30 NJ / #1 county; real movement -$8,649Students and denominator: Fall enrollment above UFB denominatorUFB vs fall gap -256; FRL 20%; multilingual learners <1%.Labor and resources: High listed admin salary per UFB on-rolllisted admin base $1.1M; $3,404 per UFB on-roll; highest row $212,226; components $150,667.Tax and side files: Tuition or placement explanationUnusual rows $1.5M; shared-service rows 7; reported savings $0.Current proposal: Proposed comparative cost increaseOperating +$1.6M; cost line +$1,601; General current +$1.6M. | Do not write this as a single-lane budget story. Keep Cost and peers, Students and denominator, Labor and resources, and Tax and side files in the same read.Comparative cost is NJDOE's published row. It needs county, model, student-load, and side-file context before becoming a spending-quality claim. | Primary proofFall enrollment above UFB denominatorHigh listed admin salary per UFB on-rollProposed comparative cost increaseReal movement |
| Camden CityCamden County; 6 signals across 6 groups | Cost positionWhy does this district sit high on the published comparative-cost line?Published comparative cost is $29,260; rank #54 statewide and #2 inside Camden County; real comparative-cost movement is +$1,572. | Funding and categories: Real movementSpecial revenue funds moved -$51.6M since 2019-20Students and denominator: UFB denominator above fall enrollmentUFB vs fall gap +9,189; FRL 76%; multilingual learners 14%.Cost and peers: High cost position$29,260; #54 NJ / #2 county; real movement +$1,572Current proposal: Proposed comparative cost decreaseOperating -$21.5M; cost line -$3,408; School-based budgeting -$12.4M.Tax and side files: One-time support$28.4M in fund-balance, reserve, or carryover rows; 7% of operating scale. | Do not write this as a single-lane budget story. Keep Funding and categories, Students and denominator, Cost and peers, and Current proposal in the same read.Comparative cost is NJDOE's published row. It needs county, model, student-load, and side-file context before becoming a spending-quality claim. | Primary proofReal movementUFB denominator above fall enrollmentProposed comparative cost decreaseOne-time support |
| West Cape May BoroCape May County; 6 signals across 6 groups | Outside-operating familyHow large are grant-funded or otherwise outside-operating programs relative to operating budgets?Special revenue funds: Special revenue funds moved +$420,483 since 2019-20; Transfers and tuition sits -25 pts vs county average; Federal grants changes -$130,176 in the latest file. | Funding and categories: Real movementSpecial revenue funds moved +$420,483 since 2019-20Students and denominator: Contract-preschool loadSent placements 25%; special-education on-roll 12%; UFB on-roll movement -28%.Labor and resources: Shared administrative roleslisted admin base $189,767; $2,497 per UFB on-roll; highest row $77,756; shared rows 3.Tax and side files: One-time support$260,002 in fund-balance, reserve, or carryover rows; 10% of operating scale.Cost and peers: Real movementPublished comparative-cost line moved +$8,366 after inflation. | Do not write this as a single-lane budget story. Keep Funding and categories, Students and denominator, Labor and resources, and Tax and side files in the same read.Source-family rows can be nested, contextual, or outside recurring operating basis. They are reporting leads, not one additive spending ledger or a causal finding. | Primary proofContract-preschool loadShared administrative rolesReal movementState revenue drives proposal |
| Hoboken CityHudson County; 6 signals across 6 groups | Budget model and use structureWhich budget model explains why the district should not be compared only by one cost rank?Transfer share is 15%; school-based budgeting share is 48%; special revenue scale is 22%; debt-service scale is n/a. | Tax and side files: Summary levy differs from esttax total levyEstimated rate 0.336 per $100; tax levy per UFB on-roll $18,612; 1 slice(s).Students and denominator: UFB on-roll grewSent placements <1%; special-education on-roll 15%; UFB on-roll movement 39%.Current proposal: Proposed comparative cost decreaseOperating +$5.1M; cost line -$2,683; School-based budgeting +$3.1M.Cost and peers: Real movementPublished comparative-cost line moved -$8,232 after inflation.Labor and resources: Publishes school-resource statementslisted admin base $1.6M; $407 per UFB on-roll; highest row $231,876; components $448,949; school-resource rows $86.3M. | Do not write this as a single-lane budget story. Keep Tax and side files, Students and denominator, Current proposal, and Cost and peers in the same read.These shares use operating budget as a common denominator; some rows are nested or outside operating scale. | Primary proofUFB on-roll grewProposed comparative cost decreaseReal movementPublishes school-resource statements |
| Atlantic CityAtlantic County; 10 signals across 5 groups | One-time supportIs the budget using fund balance, reserve, or carryover support that needs a recurrence check?Fund-balance, reserve, and carryover source rows total $77.9M, 27% of proposed operating-budget scale; largest named row is Capital reserve withdrawals at $49.3M. | Funding and categories: Proposal moveFederal grants changes -$42.6M in the latest fileTax and side files: Summary levy differs from esttax total levyEstimated rate 0.885 per $100; tax levy per UFB on-roll $11,212; 1 slice(s).Cost and peers: High cost position$29,276; #53 NJ / #5 county; real movement +$4,464Students and denominator: High fall need and high costUFB vs fall gap +427; FRL 84%; multilingual learners 22%.Tax and side files: High balance-to-budget cushion$104.8M estimated balances/reserves; 36% of operating scale; largest: Capital reserve. | Do not write this as a single-lane budget story. Keep Funding and categories, Tax and side files, Cost and peers, and Students and denominator in the same read.These are planned UFB revenue-source rows, not audited cash stress, proof of a structural deficit, or recurring operating revenue. | Primary proofProposal moveSummary levy differs from esttax total levyHigh cost positionHigh fall need and high cost |
This board is generated from the same signals as the multi-signal matrix below, limited to the strongest rows by distinct signal groups and signal count. It chooses reporting order; it is not a ranking of district quality, efficiency, need, or fiscal condition.
Story scorecard
This scorecard ranks the generated district story lanes before the full district list. It names the fair comparison or denominator, the strongest district examples, the records/checks that should follow, and the shortcut that should not survive into a story.
| Story route | Fair comparison / denominator | Strongest examples | Reporting check | Block before writing | Open next |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| One-time support56 district rows; first question: Is the budget using fund balance, reserve, or carryover support that needs a recurrence check? | Budgeted fund-balance, reserve-withdrawal, and carryover source rows scaled to proposed operating budget. | Atlantic CityFund-balance, reserve, and carryover source rows total $77.9M, 27% of proposed operating-budget scale.largest named row is Capital reserve withdrawals at $49.3M.Essex Co Voc-TechFund-balance, reserve, and carryover source rows total $14.5M, 22% of proposed operating-budget scale.largest named row is Budgeted fund balance at $14.5M. | Ask whether the source recurs, replaces aid or levy, bridges a one-year plan, or draws restricted reserves. | Do not call planned source rows audited cash stress or recurring operating revenue. | One-time briefSource mapDistrict index |
| Cost position47 district rows; first question: Why does this district sit high on the published comparative-cost line? | County, cost band, budget model, service load, and named local peers; use NJDOE's published comparative-cost line. | Bergen Co Special ServicePublished comparative cost is $103,100.rank #1 statewide and #1 inside Bergen County.real comparative-cost movement is -$16,625.Mercer Co Special Services School DistrictPublished comparative cost is $95,262.rank #2 statewide and #1 inside Mercer County.real comparative-cost movement is +$3,946. | Ask whether county, scale, grade span, placements, transfers, or side files explain the rank. | Do not turn comparative cost into waste, quality, or adequacy by itself. | Cost briefComparison atlasDistrict index |
| Outside-operating family147 district rows; first question: Are capital projects, facilities acquisition, reserve withdrawals, or debt-service rows distorting all-funds comparisons? | Special-revenue, capital, facilities, and debt families scaled against operating budget only as context. | Paramus BoroCapital, facilities, and debt: Capital, facilities, and debt changes -$40.1M in the latest file.Local taxes and local sources represents 93% of operating scale.Trenton Public School DistrictCapital, facilities, and debt: Capital, facilities, and debt changes -$72.5M in the latest file.State aid represents 100% of operating scale. | Ask whether the signal belongs to grants, capital, facilities, or debt before reading it as recurring operating spending. | Do not add outside-operating source-family rows into one operating total or treat them as ordinary classroom spending. | Outside-operating briefCategory atlasSource map |
| Operating funding family100 district rows; first question: Which aid lines explain dependence on state funding or first-to-latest movement? | Operating revenue source-family scale, local peer gaps, CPI-U real movement, and latest proposal movement; keep General Fund basis visible. | Asbury Park CityState aid: State aid moved -$43.3M since 2019-20.Special revenue funds sits +34 pts vs county average.Local taxes and local sources represents 60% of operating scale.Linden CityState aid: State aid moved +$34.4M since 2019-20.Federal grants changes -$19.9M in the latest file.Transfers and tuition sits -11 pts vs county average. | Ask whether the source-family signal is a current revenue scale issue, a peer gap, a real movement, or a proposal-column move. | Do not read General Fund operating source rows as all-funds revenue, taxpayer burden, or proof of cause without local records. | Funding briefSource mapCategory atlas |
| Fund balance/reserve family16 district rows; first question: Is the district leaning on fund balance, capital reserve, maintenance reserve, or similar one-time sources? | Fund-balance, reserve, and carryover source-family rows beside recap balances, proposal movement, and recurrence checks. | Perth Amboy CityFund balance and reserves: Fund balance and reserves moved -$61.4M since 2019-20.Employee benefits changes +$8.9M in the latest file.State aid represents 97% of operating scale.North Bergen TwpFund balance and reserves: Fund balance and reserves changes -$34.1M in the latest file.Federal grants sits +26 pts vs county average.State aid represents 52% of operating scale. | Ask whether the fund-balance or reserve row is recurring support, a one-year bridge, restricted, or paired with close-year balances. | Do not call planned source-family rows audited cash stress, recurring revenue, or a structural deficit by themselves. | One-time briefSource mapDistrict index |
| Spending/category family14 district rows; first question: Do school-level allocations show up as a material budgeting model or comparison slice? | Instruction, transportation, operations, school-based budgeting, and other category families before totals become the story. | East OrangeSchool-based budgeting: School-based budgeting moved -$42.6M since 2019-20.Federal grants changes -$17.8M in the latest file.State aid represents 93% of operating scale.Educational Services Commission of New JerseyOther named rows: Other named rows moved +$34.7M since 2019-20.Fund balance and reserves changes -$10.2M in the latest file.Transportation represents 68% of operating scale. | Ask whether the named family is current scale, a peer gap, real movement, a current proposal move, or outside-operating context. | Do not add nested source-family rows into one total or treat a family signal as cause, waste, adequacy, or recurring spending without local records. | Category atlasSource mapDistrict index |
| Per-student cost anatomy3 district rows; first question: Did real per-student operating scale move because dollars changed, enrollment changed, or both? | CPI-U real operating budget, UFB planning on-roll, fall enrollment, and service-load rows; separate numerator from denominator. | Monmouth-Ocean Ed Ser ComReal operating budget per UFB on-roll moved -$733,875.budget effect +$328,230.enrollment effect -$1.1M.driver: Real per-student decrease.Northern Region Educational Services CommissionReal operating budget per UFB on-roll moved +$105,621.budget effect +$76,509.enrollment effect +$29,112.driver: Real operating-budget growth. | Separate budget-numerator movement from UFB planning-enrollment movement before naming a cause. | Do not call the arithmetic decomposition a causal finding. | Real movementStudent loadDistrict index |
| Current proposal change43 district rows; first question: What does the latest proposed budget column change right now? | Latest UFB revised/current column versus proposed column in nominal budget-year dollars. | Roosevelt BoroOperating budget changes -$30,691.published comparative-cost row changes +$7,059.largest revenue driver is Tax levy (+$70,918).largest use driver is Capital outlay (-$237,932).Sea Girt BoroOperating budget changes -$278,093.published comparative-cost row changes +$5,688.largest revenue driver is Local revenue (+$193,142).largest use driver is Capital outlay (-$483,600). | Ask what is recurring, one-time, grant-funded, enrollment-driven, negotiated, or reclassified. | Do not treat nominal proposal movement as an audited result or inflation-adjusted trend. | Proposal briefReporting leadsDistrict index |
| Student/service family128 district rows; first question: Do charter/Renaissance transfers, tuition, or purchased placements change the budget story? | Transfers, tuition, preschool, special-education, and support families beside UFB service-load and denominator context. | Atlantic Co VocationalTransfers and tuition: Transfers and tuition moved -$12.1M since 2019-20.Local taxes and local sources sits -31 pts vs county average.State aid represents 55% of operating scale.Woodstown-Pilesgrove RegPreschool: Preschool moved +$6.0M since 2019-20.State aid sits -11 pts vs county average.Federal grants changes -$1.9M in the latest file. | Ask whether transfers, tuition, preschool, or special-education/support rows explain the comparison frame. | Do not treat source-family rows as audited service counts, quality, adequacy, or a complete program ledger. | Student-load briefCategory atlasDistrict index |
| Budget model and use structure3 district rows; first question: Which budget model explains why the district should not be compared only by one cost rank? | Transfers, school-based budgeting, special revenue, debt, and capital as operating-budget-equivalent context, not additive totals. | Hoboken CityTransfer share is 15%.school-based budgeting share is 48%.special revenue scale is 22%.debt-service scale is n/a.Franklin TwpTransfer share is 10%.school-based budgeting share is n/a.special revenue scale is 9%.debt-service scale is 4%. | Ask whether transfers, school-based allocations, special revenue, debt, or capital rows drive the comparison. | Do not add nested or outside-operating rows into one spending total. | Model atlasCategory atlasComparison atlas |
| Balances and reserves8 district rows; first question: Does the close-year cushion change the budget interpretation? | Recap close-year balances and reserves, plus one-time source rows and local peer scale. | Kingwood TwpDriver: High balance-to-budget cushion.estimated balances/reserves are $5.0M, 56% of operating-budget scale.largest category is Capital reserve.real movement is +$2.3M.Elizabeth CityDriver: Large real balance growth.estimated balances/reserves are $114.2M, 17% of operating-budget scale.largest category is Capital reserve.real movement is +$94.2M. | Ask what is restricted, recurring, planned drawdown, cushion, or close-year projection. | Do not read recap balances as current operating appropriations or spendable cash. | One-time briefSource mapDistrict index |
| Unusual and shared-service context11 district rows; first question: Do one-off explanations or shared-service rows change the first read? | District-entered side-file explanations, shared-service rows, optional savings, and local proof documents. | Teaneck TwpDriver: High unusual-item scale.unusual rows total $400.0M.top unusual category is Labor, contracts, and benefits.shared-service rows 9.reported shared savings $0.Plainfield CityDriver: Many shared-service arrangements.unusual rows total $15.9M.top unusual category is Other unusual explanations.shared-service rows 23.reported shared savings $0. | Ask whether the row duplicates another source line, is one-time, district-entered, or locally verified. | Do not add unusual rows or reported savings to operating totals. | Side-file briefSource mapDistrict index |
| Student and service load3 district rows; first question: Is the budget story really about who the district budgets to serve, send, or receive? | UFB planning enrollment, sent/received rows, special-education on-roll, and placement context. | Branchburg TwpDriver: Placement-heavy planning load.sent placements are 45%.special-education on-roll is 16%.received-from-other-district share is 1%.UFB on-roll movement is -3%.Lopatcong TwpDriver: Placement-heavy planning load.sent placements are 59%.special-education on-roll is 12%.received-from-other-district share is 0%.UFB on-roll movement is -6%. | Ask who the district budgets to serve, send, or receive before quoting per-student costs. | Do not treat UFB planning rows as audited fall enrollment or service quality. | Student-load briefComparison atlasDistrict index |
| Funding model shift4 district rows; first question: Did the district move toward local levy, state aid, federal revenue, or fund balance? | General Fund operating revenue shares, named aid/levy/fund-balance rows, and local tax-base context. | North Plainfield BoroDriver: State share rose as local share fell.latest mix is 30% local, 63% state, <1% federal, 7% other.share shifts are local -20 pts, state +17 pts, other +3 pts.Bogota BoroDriver: State share rose as local share fell.latest mix is 45% local, 51% state, <1% federal, 4% other.share shifts are local -20 pts, state +23 pts, other -3 pts. | Ask whether formula aid, levy-cap behavior, tax base, or fund balance changed who pays. | Do not read General Fund operating mix as all-funds revenue or a household tax bill. | Funding briefSource mapModel atlas |
| Fall enrollment and need2 district rows; first question: Does the same-year fall enrollment table change the denominator or student-need read? | Same-year fall enrollment, FRL, multilingual learners, homelessness, and UFB denominator gaps. | Freehold BoroDriver: High fall need and high cost.UFB on-roll is 1,523.fall enrollment is 1,477.gap is +46.free/reduced-price lunch 77%, multilingual learners 23%.Cliffside Park BoroDriver: High multilingual learner share.UFB on-roll is 3,130.fall enrollment is 3,099.gap is +31.free/reduced-price lunch 72%, multilingual learners 18%. | Ask whether the UFB denominator and fall enrollment point to different student-load stories. | Do not silently replace NJDOE's comparative-cost denominator with fall enrollment. | Student-load briefMeasure guideDistrict index |
| Tax effort and tax base9 district rows; first question: Is the local burden story about rate, levy per student, tax base, or regional slices? | Tax-rate side file, levy per UFB on-roll, equalized value, taxable value, and regional slices. | Beverly CityDriver: High estimated tax rate.estimated rate 1.521 per $100.tax levy per UFB on-roll $8,359.equalized value per UFB on-roll $559,510.slices 1.Bernards TwpDriver: Summary levy differs from esttax total levy.estimated rate 1.133 per $100.tax levy per UFB on-roll $21,100.equalized value per UFB on-roll $1.9M.slices 1. | Separate levy per student, estimated rate, equalized value, and regional allocation before writing burden. | Do not present estimated UFB tax-rate rows as tax-bill advice or audited property-tax data. | Tax briefFunding briefSource map |
| Labor/resource family1 district rows; first question: Are administrative, central-service, board, legal, or technology rows unusually large or moving? | Benefits, administration, and resource families beside salary-bearing pupil-cost rows, selected role files, and local staffing context. | Camden Co Ed Serv CommAdministration and central services: Administration and central services moved +$1.3M since 2019-20.Transportation represents 189% of operating scale. | Ask whether benefit, administration, or resource rows are current scale, peer gap, real movement, or a latest proposal move. | Do not treat source-family rows as full payroll, staffing counts, contracts, or total compensation. | Labor/resources briefCategory atlasSide-file brief |
The scorecard ranks story lanes by the strongest generated district signals. It is an assignment-desk layer, not a rating of districts or a causal model.
Cross-signal budget tensions
These rows look for places where a simple story would be wrong or incomplete: cost level versus real movement, current proposal versus trend, local burden versus cost rank, reserves versus one-time support, service load, student need, side files, and category signals beneath quiet totals.
| Tension | Why it matters | Strongest cases | Fair read | Block before writing | Open next |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Side-file rows change the first read80 cases | Unusual-item and shared-service rows can point to records or interviews that broad totals miss. | Teaneck TwpBergen CountyUnusual rows: $400.0M; top category Labor, contracts, and benefits.Shared-service rows: 9; reported savings $0.Operating scale: $120.7M.Haledon BoroPassaic CountyUnusual rows: $31.7M; top category State aid, loans, and timing.Shared-service rows: 15; reported savings $345,548.Operating scale: $25.2M. | Use side files as context beside operating totals, source rows, board records, and local verification. | Do not add unusual rows or reported savings to the operating budget or treat them as audited savings. | Side-file briefSource mapReporting leads |
| Proposal counters the real trend50 cases | The latest-file proposal can move in the opposite direction from the CPI-adjusted loaded-year trend. | Warren Co Special ServiceWarren CountyReal comparative-cost movement: -$5,004.Latest proposal cost-line movement: +$50,000.Operating proposal movement: $0; driver: Mixed proposal movement.Salem Co Special ServiceSalem CountyReal comparative-cost movement: +$1,857.Latest proposal cost-line movement: -$18,817.Operating proposal movement: +$347,341; driver: Proposed comparative cost decrease. | Keep nominal revised/current-to-proposed movement separate from multi-year real movement. | Do not describe current proposal movement as the long-run inflation-adjusted trend. | Proposal briefReal movementStorylines |
| One-time sources beside reserves96 cases | Budgeted fund-balance, reserve, or carryover support needs a recurrence check when close-year balances are also material. | Cape May PointCape May CountyOne-time source rows: $50,952; 33% of operating scale.Top source: Budgeted fund balance at $50,952.Estimated balances/reserves: $501,705; 324% of operating scale.Loch Arbour School DistrictMonmouth CountyOne-time source rows: $843,662; 80% of operating scale.Top source: Budgeted fund balance at $843,662.Estimated balances/reserves: $250,000; 24% of operating scale. | Read source-row support with recap balance/reserve rows, board actions, and audit or ACFR schedules. | Do not call planned support rows audited cash stress, surplus, or recurring revenue. | One-time supportSource mapDistrict index |
| Category signal under a quiet cost line171 cases | An overall comparative-cost trend can look quiet while a source family or category gap is reportable. | Union County VocationalUnion CountyOverall real comparative-cost movement: -$648.Category/source-family signal: Capital, facilities, and debt changes -$57.0M in the latest file.Cost: $17,337; #541 NJ / #20 county.Mercer County VocationalMercer CountyOverall real comparative-cost movement: -$173.Category/source-family signal: Capital, facilities, and debt changes -$15.7M in the latest file.Cost: $22,246; #269 NJ / #6 county. | Open the category/source-family proof before saying the budget story is only overall cost movement. | Do not treat a quiet total cost line as proof there is no budget story. | Category atlasSource-line briefDistrict index |
| High cost, falling after inflation10 cases | A high latest-year cost position can be a level story while the loaded-year real movement is down. | Bergen Co Special ServiceBergen CountyCost: $103,100; #1 NJ / #1 county.Real comparative-cost movement: -$16,625 in 2025 dollars.Latest proposal cost-line movement: +$2,357.Atlantic Co Special ServAtlantic CountyCost: $50,249; #8 NJ / #1 county.Real comparative-cost movement: -$24,004 in 2025 dollars.Latest proposal cost-line movement: +$679. | Put NJDOE's latest comparative-cost rank beside CPI-U movement, category rows, and denominator checks. | Do not call a high cost level a current increase. | Cost briefReal movementComparison atlas |
| Service load complicates the cost read115 cases | Placements, special-education on-roll, or received students can make an ordinary cost rank worth reporting. | Essex Co Voc-TechEssex CountyService rows: sent placements 0%; special-education row equals 116% of UFB on-roll; received students 0%.Cost: $26,804; #87 NJ / #2 county.UFB on-roll movement: -8%.Ocean County VocationalOcean CountyService rows: sent placements 0%; special-education row equals 105% of UFB on-roll; received students 0%.Cost: $13,497; #566 NJ / #28 county.UFB on-roll movement: 1%. | Read per-student costs with UFB planning enrollment, sent/received rows, special-education budget-enrollment rows, and placement context. | Do not treat a mid-pack cost rank as proof the budget has no student-load story or read service rows as audited enrollment shares. | Student-load briefComparison atlasDistrict index |
| Need or denominator changes the comparison26 cases | A high cost or tax signal may need to be read beside student-need indicators or a UFB-vs-fall enrollment gap. | Salem Co Special ServiceSalem CountyCost/tax: $63,018 comparative cost; n/a levy per UFB on-roll.Fall context: UFB-vs-fall gap +30; FRL 28%; ML 1%.Funding mix: 100% local / n/a state.Camden CityCamden CountyCost/tax: $29,260 comparative cost; $1,036 levy per UFB on-roll.Fall context: UFB-vs-fall gap +9,189; FRL 76%; ML 14%.Funding mix: 4% local / 90% state. | Keep UFB planning on-roll, fall enrollment, FRL, multilingual learners, and tax/cost frames in the same read. | Do not replace NJDOE's comparative-cost denominator silently, and do not ignore student-need context. | Student-load briefTax briefMeasure guide |
| State-aid shift, tax pressure remains10 cases | A larger state-aid share does not by itself settle the local burden story. | Milltown BoroMiddlesex CountyState operating revenue share shifted +16 pts; latest state share 25%.Tax: $22,514 levy per UFB on-roll; estimated rate 1.542 per $100.Local revenue share: 65%.Maple Shade TwpBurlington CountyState operating revenue share shifted +19 pts; latest state share 49%.Tax: $13,077 levy per UFB on-roll; estimated rate 1.499 per $100.Local revenue share: 50%. | Pair operating revenue-share movement with levy per student, rate, equalized value, and local budget materials. | Do not treat a state-funding shift as proof that local burden fell for taxpayers. | Funding briefTax briefSource map |
| Lower cost, high local burden8 cases | A lower comparative-cost line can still sit beside a high levy-per-student or estimated-rate signal. | Oxford TwpWarren CountyCost: $19,331; #465 NJ / #21 county.Tax: $17,049 levy per UFB on-roll; estimated rate 1.757 per $100.Funding mix: 64% local / 35% state operating revenue.Cherry Hill TwpCamden CountyCost: $18,875; #490 NJ / #31 county.Tax: $16,874 levy per UFB on-roll; estimated rate 1.607 per $100.Funding mix: 80% local / 12% state operating revenue. | Compare cost position separately from tax effort, tax base, local revenue share, and county/model peers. | Do not translate lower cost into lower burden or higher efficiency without the tax-basis file. | Tax briefCost briefComparison atlas |
Tensions are generated from overlapping UFB signals. They are not contradictions by themselves; they are the cases where a reporter should keep two evidence bases open before writing the first sentence.
Highest-signal district leads
These are the rows where the generated first-read score is strongest across cost position, proposal movement, inflation-adjusted cost anatomy, funding model, service load, tax context, reserves, and side-file explanations. The reporting move names records to pull, checks to ask, and overreads to block before writing.
| District | Story route | First budget question | Evidence | Counter-reading | Reporting move | Open |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atlantic CityAtlantic County | Test one-time supportIs the budget leaning on fund balance, reserve withdrawals, or carryover that must be checked for recurrence? | One-time supportIs the budget using fund balance, reserve, or carryover support that needs a recurrence check? | Fund-balance, reserve, and carryover source rows total $77.9M, 27% of proposed operating-budget scale; largest named row is Capital reserve withdrawals at $49.3M. | These are planned UFB revenue-source rows, not audited cash stress, proof of a structural deficit, or recurring operating revenue. | Pull Fund-balance appropriation notes, reserve withdrawal rows, board minutes, and audit or ACFR schedules.Ask whether the source recurs, replaces aid or levy, bridges a one-year plan, or draws restricted reserves.Block Do not call planned source rows audited cash stress or recurring operating revenue. | Open proof |
| Essex Co Voc-TechEssex County | Test one-time supportIs the budget leaning on fund balance, reserve withdrawals, or carryover that must be checked for recurrence? | One-time supportIs the budget using fund balance, reserve, or carryover support that needs a recurrence check? | Fund-balance, reserve, and carryover source rows total $14.5M, 22% of proposed operating-budget scale; largest named row is Budgeted fund balance at $14.5M. | These are planned UFB revenue-source rows, not audited cash stress, proof of a structural deficit, or recurring operating revenue. | Pull Fund-balance appropriation notes, reserve withdrawal rows, board minutes, and audit or ACFR schedules.Ask whether the source recurs, replaces aid or levy, bridges a one-year plan, or draws restricted reserves.Block Do not call planned source rows audited cash stress or recurring operating revenue. | Open proof |
| Woodbury CityGloucester County | Test one-time supportIs the budget leaning on fund balance, reserve withdrawals, or carryover that must be checked for recurrence? | One-time supportIs the budget using fund balance, reserve, or carryover support that needs a recurrence check? | Fund-balance, reserve, and carryover source rows total $11.4M, 22% of proposed operating-budget scale; largest named row is Capital reserve withdrawals at $9.8M. | These are planned UFB revenue-source rows, not audited cash stress, proof of a structural deficit, or recurring operating revenue. | Pull Fund-balance appropriation notes, reserve withdrawal rows, board minutes, and audit or ACFR schedules.Ask whether the source recurs, replaces aid or levy, bridges a one-year plan, or draws restricted reserves.Block Do not call planned source rows audited cash stress or recurring operating revenue. | Open proof |
| Jersey CityHudson County | Test one-time supportIs the budget leaning on fund balance, reserve withdrawals, or carryover that must be checked for recurrence? | One-time supportIs the budget using fund balance, reserve, or carryover support that needs a recurrence check? | Fund-balance, reserve, and carryover source rows total $160.2M, 18% of proposed operating-budget scale; largest named row is Budgeted fund balance at $148.8M. | These are planned UFB revenue-source rows, not audited cash stress, proof of a structural deficit, or recurring operating revenue. | Pull Fund-balance appropriation notes, reserve withdrawal rows, board minutes, and audit or ACFR schedules.Ask whether the source recurs, replaces aid or levy, bridges a one-year plan, or draws restricted reserves.Block Do not call planned source rows audited cash stress or recurring operating revenue. | Open proof |
| Totowa BoroPassaic County | Test one-time supportIs the budget leaning on fund balance, reserve withdrawals, or carryover that must be checked for recurrence? | One-time supportIs the budget using fund balance, reserve, or carryover support that needs a recurrence check? | Fund-balance, reserve, and carryover source rows total $7.4M, 27% of proposed operating-budget scale; largest named row is Budgeted fund balance at $7.4M. | These are planned UFB revenue-source rows, not audited cash stress, proof of a structural deficit, or recurring operating revenue. | Pull Fund-balance appropriation notes, reserve withdrawal rows, board minutes, and audit or ACFR schedules.Ask whether the source recurs, replaces aid or levy, bridges a one-year plan, or draws restricted reserves.Block Do not call planned source rows audited cash stress or recurring operating revenue. | Open proof |
| Woodlynne BoroCamden County | Test one-time supportIs the budget leaning on fund balance, reserve withdrawals, or carryover that must be checked for recurrence? | One-time supportIs the budget using fund balance, reserve, or carryover support that needs a recurrence check? | Fund-balance, reserve, and carryover source rows total $7.1M, 31% of proposed operating-budget scale; largest named row is Capital reserve withdrawals at $4.0M. | These are planned UFB revenue-source rows, not audited cash stress, proof of a structural deficit, or recurring operating revenue. | Pull Fund-balance appropriation notes, reserve withdrawal rows, board minutes, and audit or ACFR schedules.Ask whether the source recurs, replaces aid or levy, bridges a one-year plan, or draws restricted reserves.Block Do not call planned source rows audited cash stress or recurring operating revenue. | Open proof |
| Old Tappan BoroBergen County | Test one-time supportIs the budget leaning on fund balance, reserve withdrawals, or carryover that must be checked for recurrence? | One-time supportIs the budget using fund balance, reserve, or carryover support that needs a recurrence check? | Fund-balance, reserve, and carryover source rows total $6.6M, 24% of proposed operating-budget scale; largest named row is Capital reserve withdrawals at $5.2M. | These are planned UFB revenue-source rows, not audited cash stress, proof of a structural deficit, or recurring operating revenue. | Pull Fund-balance appropriation notes, reserve withdrawal rows, board minutes, and audit or ACFR schedules.Ask whether the source recurs, replaces aid or levy, bridges a one-year plan, or draws restricted reserves.Block Do not call planned source rows audited cash stress or recurring operating revenue. | Open proof |
| Long Beach IslandOcean County | Test one-time supportIs the budget leaning on fund balance, reserve withdrawals, or carryover that must be checked for recurrence? | One-time supportIs the budget using fund balance, reserve, or carryover support that needs a recurrence check? | Fund-balance, reserve, and carryover source rows total $6.3M, 42% of proposed operating-budget scale; largest named row is Capital reserve withdrawals at $6.0M. | These are planned UFB revenue-source rows, not audited cash stress, proof of a structural deficit, or recurring operating revenue. | Pull Fund-balance appropriation notes, reserve withdrawal rows, board minutes, and audit or ACFR schedules.Ask whether the source recurs, replaces aid or levy, bridges a one-year plan, or draws restricted reserves.Block Do not call planned source rows audited cash stress or recurring operating revenue. | Open proof |
| Essex Co Ed Serv CommEssex County | Test one-time supportIs the budget leaning on fund balance, reserve withdrawals, or carryover that must be checked for recurrence? | One-time supportIs the budget using fund balance, reserve, or carryover support that needs a recurrence check? | Fund-balance, reserve, and carryover source rows total $2.9M, 28% of proposed operating-budget scale; largest named row is Budgeted fund balance at $2.9M. | These are planned UFB revenue-source rows, not audited cash stress, proof of a structural deficit, or recurring operating revenue. | Pull Fund-balance appropriation notes, reserve withdrawal rows, board minutes, and audit or ACFR schedules.Ask whether the source recurs, replaces aid or levy, bridges a one-year plan, or draws restricted reserves.Block Do not call planned source rows audited cash stress or recurring operating revenue. | Open proof |
| Magnolia BoroCamden County | Test one-time supportIs the budget leaning on fund balance, reserve withdrawals, or carryover that must be checked for recurrence? | One-time supportIs the budget using fund balance, reserve, or carryover support that needs a recurrence check? | Fund-balance, reserve, and carryover source rows total $2.4M, 22% of proposed operating-budget scale; largest named row is Budgeted fund balance at $1.9M. | These are planned UFB revenue-source rows, not audited cash stress, proof of a structural deficit, or recurring operating revenue. | Pull Fund-balance appropriation notes, reserve withdrawal rows, board minutes, and audit or ACFR schedules.Ask whether the source recurs, replaces aid or levy, bridges a one-year plan, or draws restricted reserves.Block Do not call planned source rows audited cash stress or recurring operating revenue. | Open proof |
| National Park BoroGloucester County | Test one-time supportIs the budget leaning on fund balance, reserve withdrawals, or carryover that must be checked for recurrence? | One-time supportIs the budget using fund balance, reserve, or carryover support that needs a recurrence check? | Fund-balance, reserve, and carryover source rows total $1.9M, 26% of proposed operating-budget scale; largest named row is Budgeted fund balance at $735,164. | These are planned UFB revenue-source rows, not audited cash stress, proof of a structural deficit, or recurring operating revenue. | Pull Fund-balance appropriation notes, reserve withdrawal rows, board minutes, and audit or ACFR schedules.Ask whether the source recurs, replaces aid or levy, bridges a one-year plan, or draws restricted reserves.Block Do not call planned source rows audited cash stress or recurring operating revenue. | Open proof |
| Cape May CityCape May County | Test one-time supportIs the budget leaning on fund balance, reserve withdrawals, or carryover that must be checked for recurrence? | One-time supportIs the budget using fund balance, reserve, or carryover support that needs a recurrence check? | Fund-balance, reserve, and carryover source rows total $1.6M, 30% of proposed operating-budget scale; largest named row is Budgeted fund balance at $1.5M. | These are planned UFB revenue-source rows, not audited cash stress, proof of a structural deficit, or recurring operating revenue. | Pull Fund-balance appropriation notes, reserve withdrawal rows, board minutes, and audit or ACFR schedules.Ask whether the source recurs, replaces aid or levy, bridges a one-year plan, or draws restricted reserves.Block Do not call planned source rows audited cash stress or recurring operating revenue. | Open proof |
| Greenwich-Stow Creek RegionalCumberland County | Test one-time supportIs the budget leaning on fund balance, reserve withdrawals, or carryover that must be checked for recurrence? | One-time supportIs the budget using fund balance, reserve, or carryover support that needs a recurrence check? | Fund-balance, reserve, and carryover source rows total $1.2M, 23% of proposed operating-budget scale; largest named row is Capital reserve withdrawals at $660,000. | These are planned UFB revenue-source rows, not audited cash stress, proof of a structural deficit, or recurring operating revenue. | Pull Fund-balance appropriation notes, reserve withdrawal rows, board minutes, and audit or ACFR schedules.Ask whether the source recurs, replaces aid or levy, bridges a one-year plan, or draws restricted reserves.Block Do not call planned source rows audited cash stress or recurring operating revenue. | Open proof |
| Loch Arbour School DistrictMonmouth County | Test one-time supportIs the budget leaning on fund balance, reserve withdrawals, or carryover that must be checked for recurrence? | One-time supportIs the budget using fund balance, reserve, or carryover support that needs a recurrence check? | Fund-balance, reserve, and carryover source rows total $843,662, 80% of proposed operating-budget scale; largest named row is Budgeted fund balance at $843,662. | These are planned UFB revenue-source rows, not audited cash stress, proof of a structural deficit, or recurring operating revenue. | Pull Fund-balance appropriation notes, reserve withdrawal rows, board minutes, and audit or ACFR schedules.Ask whether the source recurs, replaces aid or levy, bridges a one-year plan, or draws restricted reserves.Block Do not call planned source rows audited cash stress or recurring operating revenue. | Open proof |
| Elsinboro TwpSalem County | Test one-time supportIs the budget leaning on fund balance, reserve withdrawals, or carryover that must be checked for recurrence? | One-time supportIs the budget using fund balance, reserve, or carryover support that needs a recurrence check? | Fund-balance, reserve, and carryover source rows total $812,012, 21% of proposed operating-budget scale; largest named row is Budgeted fund balance at $786,738. | These are planned UFB revenue-source rows, not audited cash stress, proof of a structural deficit, or recurring operating revenue. | Pull Fund-balance appropriation notes, reserve withdrawal rows, board minutes, and audit or ACFR schedules.Ask whether the source recurs, replaces aid or levy, bridges a one-year plan, or draws restricted reserves.Block Do not call planned source rows audited cash stress or recurring operating revenue. | Open proof |
| LongportAtlantic County | Test one-time supportIs the budget leaning on fund balance, reserve withdrawals, or carryover that must be checked for recurrence? | One-time supportIs the budget using fund balance, reserve, or carryover support that needs a recurrence check? | Fund-balance, reserve, and carryover source rows total $623,746, 43% of proposed operating-budget scale; largest named row is Budgeted fund balance at $623,746. | These are planned UFB revenue-source rows, not audited cash stress, proof of a structural deficit, or recurring operating revenue. | Pull Fund-balance appropriation notes, reserve withdrawal rows, board minutes, and audit or ACFR schedules.Ask whether the source recurs, replaces aid or levy, bridges a one-year plan, or draws restricted reserves.Block Do not call planned source rows audited cash stress or recurring operating revenue. | Open proof |
| West WildwoodCape May County | Test one-time supportIs the budget leaning on fund balance, reserve withdrawals, or carryover that must be checked for recurrence? | One-time supportIs the budget using fund balance, reserve, or carryover support that needs a recurrence check? | Fund-balance, reserve, and carryover source rows total $511,409, 33% of proposed operating-budget scale; largest named row is Budgeted fund balance at $511,409. | These are planned UFB revenue-source rows, not audited cash stress, proof of a structural deficit, or recurring operating revenue. | Pull Fund-balance appropriation notes, reserve withdrawal rows, board minutes, and audit or ACFR schedules.Ask whether the source recurs, replaces aid or levy, bridges a one-year plan, or draws restricted reserves.Block Do not call planned source rows audited cash stress or recurring operating revenue. | Open proof |
| Seaside Park BoroOcean County | Test one-time supportIs the budget leaning on fund balance, reserve withdrawals, or carryover that must be checked for recurrence? | One-time supportIs the budget using fund balance, reserve, or carryover support that needs a recurrence check? | Fund-balance, reserve, and carryover source rows total $245,346, 27% of proposed operating-budget scale; largest named row is Budgeted fund balance at $125,346. | These are planned UFB revenue-source rows, not audited cash stress, proof of a structural deficit, or recurring operating revenue. | Pull Fund-balance appropriation notes, reserve withdrawal rows, board minutes, and audit or ACFR schedules.Ask whether the source recurs, replaces aid or levy, bridges a one-year plan, or draws restricted reserves.Block Do not call planned source rows audited cash stress or recurring operating revenue. | Open proof |
| AllenhurstMonmouth County | Test one-time supportIs the budget leaning on fund balance, reserve withdrawals, or carryover that must be checked for recurrence? | One-time supportIs the budget using fund balance, reserve, or carryover support that needs a recurrence check? | Fund-balance, reserve, and carryover source rows total $122,374, 24% of proposed operating-budget scale; largest named row is Budgeted fund balance at $122,374. | These are planned UFB revenue-source rows, not audited cash stress, proof of a structural deficit, or recurring operating revenue. | Pull Fund-balance appropriation notes, reserve withdrawal rows, board minutes, and audit or ACFR schedules.Ask whether the source recurs, replaces aid or levy, bridges a one-year plan, or draws restricted reserves.Block Do not call planned source rows audited cash stress or recurring operating revenue. | Open proof |
| Lindenwold BoroCamden County | Test one-time supportIs the budget leaning on fund balance, reserve withdrawals, or carryover that must be checked for recurrence? | One-time supportIs the budget using fund balance, reserve, or carryover support that needs a recurrence check? | Fund-balance, reserve, and carryover source rows total $19.5M, 19% of proposed operating-budget scale; largest named row is Capital reserve withdrawals at $16.9M. | These are planned UFB revenue-source rows, not audited cash stress, proof of a structural deficit, or recurring operating revenue. | Pull Fund-balance appropriation notes, reserve withdrawal rows, board minutes, and audit or ACFR schedules.Ask whether the source recurs, replaces aid or levy, bridges a one-year plan, or draws restricted reserves.Block Do not call planned source rows audited cash stress or recurring operating revenue. | Open proof |
| Absecon CityAtlantic County | Test one-time supportIs the budget leaning on fund balance, reserve withdrawals, or carryover that must be checked for recurrence? | One-time supportIs the budget using fund balance, reserve, or carryover support that needs a recurrence check? | Fund-balance, reserve, and carryover source rows total $4.9M, 20% of proposed operating-budget scale; largest named row is Capital reserve, local share at $2.9M. | These are planned UFB revenue-source rows, not audited cash stress, proof of a structural deficit, or recurring operating revenue. | Pull Fund-balance appropriation notes, reserve withdrawal rows, board minutes, and audit or ACFR schedules.Ask whether the source recurs, replaces aid or levy, bridges a one-year plan, or draws restricted reserves.Block Do not call planned source rows audited cash stress or recurring operating revenue. | Open proof |
| Bergen Co Special ServiceBergen County | Compare cost positionIs the district expensive, or just in a high-cost peer group? | Cost positionWhy does this district sit high on the published comparative-cost line? | Published comparative cost is $103,100; rank #1 statewide and #1 inside Bergen County; real comparative-cost movement is -$16,625. | Comparative cost is NJDOE's published row. It needs county, model, student-load, and side-file context before becoming a spending-quality claim. | Pull Budget presentation, adopted budget book, staffing/program notes, and local peer reports.Ask whether county, scale, grade span, placements, transfers, or side files explain the rank.Block Do not turn comparative cost into waste, quality, or adequacy by itself. | Open proof |
| Mercer Co Special Services School DistrictMercer County | Compare cost positionIs the district expensive, or just in a high-cost peer group? | Cost positionWhy does this district sit high on the published comparative-cost line? | Published comparative cost is $95,262; rank #2 statewide and #1 inside Mercer County; real comparative-cost movement is +$3,946. | Comparative cost is NJDOE's published row. It needs county, model, student-load, and side-file context before becoming a spending-quality claim. | Pull Budget presentation, adopted budget book, staffing/program notes, and local peer reports.Ask whether county, scale, grade span, placements, transfers, or side files explain the rank.Block Do not turn comparative cost into waste, quality, or adequacy by itself. | Open proof |
| Burlington Co Spec ServBurlington County | Compare cost positionIs the district expensive, or just in a high-cost peer group? | Cost positionWhy does this district sit high on the published comparative-cost line? | Published comparative cost is $79,585; rank #3 statewide and #1 inside Burlington County; real comparative-cost movement is -$13,833. | Comparative cost is NJDOE's published row. It needs county, model, student-load, and side-file context before becoming a spending-quality claim. | Pull Budget presentation, adopted budget book, staffing/program notes, and local peer reports.Ask whether county, scale, grade span, placements, transfers, or side files explain the rank.Block Do not turn comparative cost into waste, quality, or adequacy by itself. | Open proof |
| Gloucester Co Spec ServGloucester County | Compare cost positionIs the district expensive, or just in a high-cost peer group? | Cost positionWhy does this district sit high on the published comparative-cost line? | Published comparative cost is $64,243; rank #4 statewide and #1 inside Gloucester County; real comparative-cost movement is -$8. | Comparative cost is NJDOE's published row. It needs county, model, student-load, and side-file context before becoming a spending-quality claim. | Pull Budget presentation, adopted budget book, staffing/program notes, and local peer reports.Ask whether county, scale, grade span, placements, transfers, or side files explain the rank.Block Do not turn comparative cost into waste, quality, or adequacy by itself. | Open proof |
| Salem Co Special ServiceSalem County | Compare cost positionIs the district expensive, or just in a high-cost peer group? | Cost positionWhy does this district sit high on the published comparative-cost line? | Published comparative cost is $63,018; rank #5 statewide and #1 inside Salem County; real comparative-cost movement is +$1,857. | Comparative cost is NJDOE's published row. It needs county, model, student-load, and side-file context before becoming a spending-quality claim. | Pull Budget presentation, adopted budget book, staffing/program notes, and local peer reports.Ask whether county, scale, grade span, placements, transfers, or side files explain the rank.Block Do not turn comparative cost into waste, quality, or adequacy by itself. | Open proof |
| Cape May Co Special ServCape May County | Compare cost positionIs the district expensive, or just in a high-cost peer group? | Cost positionWhy does this district sit high on the published comparative-cost line? | Published comparative cost is $62,303; rank #6 statewide and #1 inside Cape May County; real comparative-cost movement is -$8,387. | Comparative cost is NJDOE's published row. It needs county, model, student-load, and side-file context before becoming a spending-quality claim. | Pull Budget presentation, adopted budget book, staffing/program notes, and local peer reports.Ask whether county, scale, grade span, placements, transfers, or side files explain the rank.Block Do not turn comparative cost into waste, quality, or adequacy by itself. | Open proof |
| North Wildwood CityCape May County | Compare cost positionIs the district expensive, or just in a high-cost peer group? | Cost positionWhy does this district sit high on the published comparative-cost line? | Published comparative cost is $55,374; rank #7 statewide and #2 inside Cape May County; real comparative-cost movement is +$10,767. | Comparative cost is NJDOE's published row. It needs county, model, student-load, and side-file context before becoming a spending-quality claim. | Pull Budget presentation, adopted budget book, staffing/program notes, and local peer reports.Ask whether county, scale, grade span, placements, transfers, or side files explain the rank.Block Do not turn comparative cost into waste, quality, or adequacy by itself. | Open proof |
| Asbury Park CityMonmouth County | Follow operating fundingDid the budget move toward local levy, state aid, federal revenue, or fund balance? | Operating funding familyWhich aid lines explain dependence on state funding or first-to-latest movement? | State aid: State aid moved -$43.3M since 2019-20; Special revenue funds sits +34 pts vs county average; Local taxes and local sources represents 60% of operating scale. | Source-family rows can be nested, contextual, or outside recurring operating basis. They are reporting leads, not one additive spending ledger or a causal finding. | Pull State-aid notices, levy worksheet, fund-balance notes, source-row proof sections, and tax-impact materials.Ask whether the source-family signal is a current revenue scale issue, a peer gap, a real movement, or a proposal-column move.Block Do not read General Fund operating source rows as all-funds revenue, taxpayer burden, or proof of cause without local records. | Open proof |
| Paramus BoroBergen County | Separate outside-operating moneyIs the story about grants, special revenue, capital, facilities, or debt rather than recurring operating spending? | Outside-operating familyAre capital projects, facilities acquisition, reserve withdrawals, or debt-service rows distorting all-funds comparisons? | Capital, facilities, and debt: Capital, facilities, and debt changes -$40.1M in the latest file; Local taxes and local sources represents 93% of operating scale. | Source-family rows can be nested, contextual, or outside recurring operating basis. They are reporting leads, not one additive spending ledger or a causal finding. | Pull Grant schedules, capital/debt schedules, line-item budget, source-row proof sections, and project or bond records.Ask whether the signal belongs to grants, capital, facilities, or debt before reading it as recurring operating spending.Block Do not add outside-operating source-family rows into one operating total or treat them as ordinary classroom spending. | Open proof |
| Trenton Public School DistrictMercer County | Separate outside-operating moneyIs the story about grants, special revenue, capital, facilities, or debt rather than recurring operating spending? | Outside-operating familyAre capital projects, facilities acquisition, reserve withdrawals, or debt-service rows distorting all-funds comparisons? | Capital, facilities, and debt: Capital, facilities, and debt changes -$72.5M in the latest file; State aid represents 100% of operating scale. | Source-family rows can be nested, contextual, or outside recurring operating basis. They are reporting leads, not one additive spending ledger or a causal finding. | Pull Grant schedules, capital/debt schedules, line-item budget, source-row proof sections, and project or bond records.Ask whether the signal belongs to grants, capital, facilities, or debt before reading it as recurring operating spending.Block Do not add outside-operating source-family rows into one operating total or treat them as ordinary classroom spending. | Open proof |
| Perth Amboy CityMiddlesex County | Test one-time supportIs the budget leaning on fund balance, reserve withdrawals, or carryover that must be checked for recurrence? | Fund balance/reserve familyIs the district leaning on fund balance, capital reserve, maintenance reserve, or similar one-time sources? | Fund balance and reserves: Fund balance and reserves moved -$61.4M since 2019-20; Employee benefits changes +$8.9M in the latest file; State aid represents 97% of operating scale. | Source-family rows can be nested, contextual, or outside recurring operating basis. They are reporting leads, not one additive spending ledger or a causal finding. | Pull Fund-balance appropriation notes, reserve withdrawal rows, recap schedules, board minutes, and audit or ACFR schedules.Ask whether the fund-balance or reserve row is recurring support, a one-year bridge, restricted, or paired with close-year balances.Block Do not call planned source-family rows audited cash stress, recurring revenue, or a structural deficit by themselves. | Open proof |
| Linden CityUnion County | Follow operating fundingDid the budget move toward local levy, state aid, federal revenue, or fund balance? | Operating funding familyWhich aid lines explain dependence on state funding or first-to-latest movement? | State aid: State aid moved +$34.4M since 2019-20; Federal grants changes -$19.9M in the latest file; Transfers and tuition sits -11 pts vs county average. | Source-family rows can be nested, contextual, or outside recurring operating basis. They are reporting leads, not one additive spending ledger or a causal finding. | Pull State-aid notices, levy worksheet, fund-balance notes, source-row proof sections, and tax-impact materials.Ask whether the source-family signal is a current revenue scale issue, a peer gap, a real movement, or a proposal-column move.Block Do not read General Fund operating source rows as all-funds revenue, taxpayer burden, or proof of cause without local records. | Open proof |
| North Brunswick TwpMiddlesex County | Follow operating fundingDid the budget move toward local levy, state aid, federal revenue, or fund balance? | Operating funding familyWhich aid lines explain dependence on state funding or first-to-latest movement? | State aid: State aid moved +$30.3M since 2019-20; Capital, facilities, and debt changes -$7.6M in the latest file; Fund balance and reserves sits -7 pts vs county average. | Source-family rows can be nested, contextual, or outside recurring operating basis. They are reporting leads, not one additive spending ledger or a causal finding. | Pull State-aid notices, levy worksheet, fund-balance notes, source-row proof sections, and tax-impact materials.Ask whether the source-family signal is a current revenue scale issue, a peer gap, a real movement, or a proposal-column move.Block Do not read General Fund operating source rows as all-funds revenue, taxpayer burden, or proof of cause without local records. | Open proof |
| Woodbridge TwpMiddlesex County | Follow operating fundingDid the budget move toward local levy, state aid, federal revenue, or fund balance? | Operating funding familyWhich aid lines explain dependence on state funding or first-to-latest movement? | State aid: State aid moved +$71.0M since 2019-20; Capital, facilities, and debt changes -$41.7M in the latest file; Preschool sits -14 pts vs county average. | Source-family rows can be nested, contextual, or outside recurring operating basis. They are reporting leads, not one additive spending ledger or a causal finding. | Pull State-aid notices, levy worksheet, fund-balance notes, source-row proof sections, and tax-impact materials.Ask whether the source-family signal is a current revenue scale issue, a peer gap, a real movement, or a proposal-column move.Block Do not read General Fund operating source rows as all-funds revenue, taxpayer burden, or proof of cause without local records. | Open proof |
| East OrangeEssex County | Explain categoriesWhich spending or revenue family makes the budget look different? | Spending/category familyDo school-level allocations show up as a material budgeting model or comparison slice? | School-based budgeting: School-based budgeting moved -$42.6M since 2019-20; Federal grants changes -$17.8M in the latest file; State aid represents 93% of operating scale. | Source-family rows can be nested, contextual, or outside recurring operating basis. They are reporting leads, not one additive spending ledger or a causal finding. | Pull Line-item budget, source-row proof sections, category atlas, proposal support, and local peer reports.Ask whether the named family is current scale, a peer gap, real movement, a current proposal move, or outside-operating context.Block Do not add nested source-family rows into one total or treat a family signal as cause, waste, adequacy, or recurring spending without local records. | Open proof |
| Bayonne CityHudson County | Follow operating fundingDid the budget move toward local levy, state aid, federal revenue, or fund balance? | Operating funding familyWhich federal rows are large, concentrated, or fading after pandemic-era aid? | Federal grants: Federal grants changes -$76.3M in the latest file; State aid represents 71% of operating scale. | Source-family rows can be nested, contextual, or outside recurring operating basis. They are reporting leads, not one additive spending ledger or a causal finding. | Pull State-aid notices, levy worksheet, fund-balance notes, source-row proof sections, and tax-impact materials.Ask whether the source-family signal is a current revenue scale issue, a peer gap, a real movement, or a proposal-column move.Block Do not read General Fund operating source rows as all-funds revenue, taxpayer burden, or proof of cause without local records. | Open proof |
| North Bergen TwpHudson County | Test one-time supportIs the budget leaning on fund balance, reserve withdrawals, or carryover that must be checked for recurrence? | Fund balance/reserve familyIs the district leaning on fund balance, capital reserve, maintenance reserve, or similar one-time sources? | Fund balance and reserves: Fund balance and reserves changes -$34.1M in the latest file; Federal grants sits +26 pts vs county average; State aid represents 52% of operating scale. | Source-family rows can be nested, contextual, or outside recurring operating basis. They are reporting leads, not one additive spending ledger or a causal finding. | Pull Fund-balance appropriation notes, reserve withdrawal rows, recap schedules, board minutes, and audit or ACFR schedules.Ask whether the fund-balance or reserve row is recurring support, a one-year bridge, restricted, or paired with close-year balances.Block Do not call planned source-family rows audited cash stress, recurring revenue, or a structural deficit by themselves. | Open proof |
| Hillsborough TwpSomerset County | Separate outside-operating moneyIs the story about grants, special revenue, capital, facilities, or debt rather than recurring operating spending? | Outside-operating familyAre capital projects, facilities acquisition, reserve withdrawals, or debt-service rows distorting all-funds comparisons? | Capital, facilities, and debt: Capital, facilities, and debt moved +$31.0M since 2019-20; Local taxes and local sources represents 86% of operating scale. | Source-family rows can be nested, contextual, or outside recurring operating basis. They are reporting leads, not one additive spending ledger or a causal finding. | Pull Grant schedules, capital/debt schedules, line-item budget, source-row proof sections, and project or bond records.Ask whether the signal belongs to grants, capital, facilities, or debt before reading it as recurring operating spending.Block Do not add outside-operating source-family rows into one operating total or treat them as ordinary classroom spending. | Open proof |
| Cherry Hill TwpCamden County | Separate outside-operating moneyIs the story about grants, special revenue, capital, facilities, or debt rather than recurring operating spending? | Outside-operating familyAre capital projects, facilities acquisition, reserve withdrawals, or debt-service rows distorting all-funds comparisons? | Capital, facilities, and debt: Capital, facilities, and debt moved +$60.8M since 2019-20; Federal grants changes -$12.3M in the latest file; Local taxes and local sources represents 86% of operating scale. | Source-family rows can be nested, contextual, or outside recurring operating basis. They are reporting leads, not one additive spending ledger or a causal finding. | Pull Grant schedules, capital/debt schedules, line-item budget, source-row proof sections, and project or bond records.Ask whether the signal belongs to grants, capital, facilities, or debt before reading it as recurring operating spending.Block Do not add outside-operating source-family rows into one operating total or treat them as ordinary classroom spending. | Open proof |
| Union County VocationalUnion County | Separate outside-operating moneyIs the story about grants, special revenue, capital, facilities, or debt rather than recurring operating spending? | Outside-operating familyAre capital projects, facilities acquisition, reserve withdrawals, or debt-service rows distorting all-funds comparisons? | Capital, facilities, and debt: Capital, facilities, and debt changes -$57.0M in the latest file; Fund balance and reserves moved +$5.4M since 2019-20; Local taxes and local sources sits -31 pts vs county average. | Source-family rows can be nested, contextual, or outside recurring operating basis. They are reporting leads, not one additive spending ledger or a causal finding. | Pull Grant schedules, capital/debt schedules, line-item budget, source-row proof sections, and project or bond records.Ask whether the signal belongs to grants, capital, facilities, or debt before reading it as recurring operating spending.Block Do not add outside-operating source-family rows into one operating total or treat them as ordinary classroom spending. | Open proof |
| Toms River RegionalOcean County | Follow operating fundingDid the budget move toward local levy, state aid, federal revenue, or fund balance? | Operating funding familyWhich aid lines explain dependence on state funding or first-to-latest movement? | State aid: State aid moved -$45.5M since 2019-20; Capital, facilities, and debt changes -$32.6M in the latest file; Preschool sits -26 pts vs county average. | Source-family rows can be nested, contextual, or outside recurring operating basis. They are reporting leads, not one additive spending ledger or a causal finding. | Pull State-aid notices, levy worksheet, fund-balance notes, source-row proof sections, and tax-impact materials.Ask whether the source-family signal is a current revenue scale issue, a peer gap, a real movement, or a proposal-column move.Block Do not read General Fund operating source rows as all-funds revenue, taxpayer burden, or proof of cause without local records. | Open proof |
| Edison TwpMiddlesex County | Follow operating fundingDid the budget move toward local levy, state aid, federal revenue, or fund balance? | Operating funding familyWhich aid lines explain dependence on state funding or first-to-latest movement? | State aid: State aid moved +$64.1M since 2019-20; Fund balance and reserves changes +$32.2M in the latest file; Preschool sits -14 pts vs county average. | Source-family rows can be nested, contextual, or outside recurring operating basis. They are reporting leads, not one additive spending ledger or a causal finding. | Pull State-aid notices, levy worksheet, fund-balance notes, source-row proof sections, and tax-impact materials.Ask whether the source-family signal is a current revenue scale issue, a peer gap, a real movement, or a proposal-column move.Block Do not read General Fund operating source rows as all-funds revenue, taxpayer burden, or proof of cause without local records. | Open proof |
| Educational Services Commission of New JerseyMiddlesex County | Explain categoriesWhich spending or revenue family makes the budget look different? | Spending/category familyWhich remaining named rows deserve a closer district-level look? | Other named rows: Other named rows moved +$34.7M since 2019-20; Fund balance and reserves changes -$10.2M in the latest file; Transportation represents 68% of operating scale. | Source-family rows can be nested, contextual, or outside recurring operating basis. They are reporting leads, not one additive spending ledger or a causal finding. | Pull Line-item budget, source-row proof sections, category atlas, proposal support, and local peer reports.Ask whether the named family is current scale, a peer gap, real movement, a current proposal move, or outside-operating context.Block Do not add nested source-family rows into one total or treat a family signal as cause, waste, adequacy, or recurring spending without local records. | Open proof |
| Monmouth-Ocean Ed Ser ComMonmouth County | Check real movementDid the story change after inflation, or is it ordinary nominal budget growth? | Per-student cost anatomyDid real per-student operating scale move because dollars changed, enrollment changed, or both? | Real operating budget per UFB on-roll moved -$733,875; budget effect +$328,230; enrollment effect -$1.1M; driver: Real per-student decrease. | This is arithmetic decomposition, not causality. UFB planning enrollment can differ from fall enrollment. | Pull Multi-year budgets, enrollment assumptions, staffing rosters, labor agreements, and major contracts.Ask Separate budget-numerator movement from UFB planning-enrollment movement before naming a cause.Block Do not call the arithmetic decomposition a causal finding. | Open proof |
The score only chooses a reading order. It is not a district rating and it is not a causal model.
Lead families
The generated first read falls into these families. The counts show where the warehouse points readers before any local reporting has been done.
| Lead family | Districts | First question | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| Outside-operating family | 147 | Are capital projects, facilities acquisition, reserve withdrawals, or debt-service rows distorting all-funds comparisons? | Paramus BoroAre capital projects, facilities acquisition, reserve withdrawals, or debt-service rows distorting all-funds comparisons?Trenton Public School DistrictAre capital projects, facilities acquisition, reserve withdrawals, or debt-service rows distorting all-funds comparisons?Hillsborough TwpAre capital projects, facilities acquisition, reserve withdrawals, or debt-service rows distorting all-funds comparisons? |
| Student/service family | 128 | Do charter/Renaissance transfers, tuition, or purchased placements change the budget story? | Atlantic Co VocationalDo charter/Renaissance transfers, tuition, or purchased placements change the budget story?Woodstown-Pilesgrove RegIs preschool aid, carryover, instruction, or support service scale material?Eatontown BoroIs preschool aid, carryover, instruction, or support service scale material? |
| Operating funding family | 100 | Which aid lines explain dependence on state funding or first-to-latest movement? | Asbury Park CityWhich aid lines explain dependence on state funding or first-to-latest movement?Linden CityWhich aid lines explain dependence on state funding or first-to-latest movement?North Brunswick TwpWhich aid lines explain dependence on state funding or first-to-latest movement? |
| One-time support | 56 | Is the budget using fund balance, reserve, or carryover support that needs a recurrence check? | Atlantic CityIs the budget using fund balance, reserve, or carryover support that needs a recurrence check?Essex Co Voc-TechIs the budget using fund balance, reserve, or carryover support that needs a recurrence check?Woodbury CityIs the budget using fund balance, reserve, or carryover support that needs a recurrence check? |
| Cost position | 47 | Why does this district sit high on the published comparative-cost line? | Bergen Co Special ServiceWhy does this district sit high on the published comparative-cost line?Mercer Co Special Services School DistrictWhy does this district sit high on the published comparative-cost line?Burlington Co Spec ServWhy does this district sit high on the published comparative-cost line? |
| Current proposal change | 43 | What does the latest proposed budget column change right now? | Roosevelt BoroWhat does the latest proposed budget column change right now?Sea Girt BoroWhat does the latest proposed budget column change right now?Beach Haven BoroWhat does the latest proposed budget column change right now? |
| Fund balance/reserve family | 16 | Is the district leaning on fund balance, capital reserve, maintenance reserve, or similar one-time sources? | Perth Amboy CityIs the district leaning on fund balance, capital reserve, maintenance reserve, or similar one-time sources?North Bergen TwpIs the district leaning on fund balance, capital reserve, maintenance reserve, or similar one-time sources?Westfield TownIs the district leaning on fund balance, capital reserve, maintenance reserve, or similar one-time sources? |
| Spending/category family | 14 | Do school-level allocations show up as a material budgeting model or comparison slice? | East OrangeDo school-level allocations show up as a material budgeting model or comparison slice?Educational Services Commission of New JerseyWhich remaining named rows deserve a closer district-level look?Weehawken TwpWhich remaining named rows deserve a closer district-level look? |
| Unusual and shared-service context | 11 | Do one-off explanations or shared-service rows change the first read? | Teaneck TwpDo one-off explanations or shared-service rows change the first read?Plainfield CityDo one-off explanations or shared-service rows change the first read?Westwood RegionalDo one-off explanations or shared-service rows change the first read? |
| Tax effort and tax base | 9 | Is the local burden story about rate, levy per student, tax base, or regional slices? | Beverly CityIs the local burden story about rate, levy per student, tax base, or regional slices?Bernards TwpIs the local burden story about rate, levy per student, tax base, or regional slices?Montgomery TwpIs the local burden story about rate, levy per student, tax base, or regional slices? |
| Balances and reserves | 8 | Does the close-year cushion change the budget interpretation? | Kingwood TwpDoes the close-year cushion change the budget interpretation?Elizabeth CityDoes the close-year cushion change the budget interpretation?North Hanover TwpDoes the close-year cushion change the budget interpretation? |
| Funding model shift | 4 | Did the district move toward local levy, state aid, federal revenue, or fund balance? | North Plainfield BoroDid the district move toward local levy, state aid, federal revenue, or fund balance?Bogota BoroDid the district move toward local levy, state aid, federal revenue, or fund balance?Clifton CityDid the district move toward local levy, state aid, federal revenue, or fund balance? |
| Student and service load | 3 | Is the budget story really about who the district budgets to serve, send, or receive? | Branchburg TwpIs the budget story really about who the district budgets to serve, send, or receive?Lopatcong TwpIs the budget story really about who the district budgets to serve, send, or receive?Ocean County VocationalIs the budget story really about who the district budgets to serve, send, or receive? |
| Per-student cost anatomy | 3 | Did real per-student operating scale move because dollars changed, enrollment changed, or both? | Monmouth-Ocean Ed Ser ComDid real per-student operating scale move because dollars changed, enrollment changed, or both?Northern Region Educational Services CommissionDid real per-student operating scale move because dollars changed, enrollment changed, or both?Dover TownDid real per-student operating scale move because dollars changed, enrollment changed, or both? |
| Budget model and use structure | 3 | Which budget model explains why the district should not be compared only by one cost rank? | Hoboken CityWhich budget model explains why the district should not be compared only by one cost rank?Franklin TwpWhich budget model explains why the district should not be compared only by one cost rank?Lakehurst BoroWhich budget model explains why the district should not be compared only by one cost rank? |
| Fall enrollment and need | 2 | Does the same-year fall enrollment table change the denominator or student-need read? | Freehold BoroDoes the same-year fall enrollment table change the denominator or student-need read?Cliffside Park BoroDoes the same-year fall enrollment table change the denominator or student-need read? |
| Labor/resource family | 1 | Are administrative, central-service, board, legal, or technology rows unusually large or moving? | Camden Co Ed Serv CommAre administrative, central-service, board, legal, or technology rows unusually large or moving? |
Multi-signal districts
Some districts should not be reduced to a single budget question. This matrix surfaces the top districts by simultaneous generated signals across cost position, proposal movement, funding and categories, student denominator context, tax basis, reserves, unusual rows, and side files.
| District | Signals | Cost / peers | Current proposal | Funding / categories | Students / denominator | Labor / resources | Tax / side files | Open |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atlantic CityAtlantic County | 10One-time support | High cost position$29,276; #53 NJ / #5 county; real movement +$4,464Real movementPublished comparative-cost line moved +$4,464 after inflation. | Mixed proposal movementOperating +$15.6M; cost line +$986; Capital outlay +$11.6M. | Proposal moveFederal grants changes -$42.6M in the latest fileOther or fund-balance reliance roseLatest mix 26% local / 47% state; local shift -26 pts, state shift +11 pts. | High fall need and high costUFB vs fall gap +427; FRL 84%; multilingual learners 22%.UFB on-roll declinedSent placements 4%; special-education on-roll 13%; UFB on-roll movement -12%. | No high-signal row. | Summary levy differs from esttax total levyEstimated rate 0.885 per $100; tax levy per UFB on-roll $11,212; 1 slice(s).High balance-to-budget cushion$104.8M estimated balances/reserves; 36% of operating scale; largest: Capital reserve.One-time support$77.9M in fund-balance, reserve, or carryover rows; 27% of operating scale. | Open report |
| North Wildwood CityCape May County | 10Cost position | High cost position$55,374; #7 NJ / #2 county; real movement +$10,767Real movementPublished comparative-cost line moved +$10,767 after inflation. | Proposed comparative cost increaseOperating +$93,540; cost line +$1,698; Benefits +$239,005. | Proposal moveSpecial revenue funds changes -$681,080 in the latest file | High fall need and high costUFB vs fall gap -4; FRL 54%; multilingual learners 3%.Receives many outside studentsSent placements 24%; special-education on-roll 22%; UFB on-roll movement -30%. | High listed admin salary per UFB on-rolllisted admin base $520,891; $3,405 per UFB on-roll; highest row $139,725; components $87,759. | High levy per UFB on-rollEstimated rate 0.159 per $100; tax levy per UFB on-roll $48,842; 1 slice(s).High balance-to-budget cushion$4.5M estimated balances/reserves; 47% of operating scale; largest: Capital reserve.One-time support$1.3M in fund-balance, reserve, or carryover rows; 13% of operating scale. | Open report |
| Beach Haven BoroOcean County | 10Current proposal change | High cost position$34,223; #21 NJ / #2 county; real movement -$4,692Real movementPublished comparative-cost line moved -$4,692 after inflation. | UFB denominator movesOperating +$117,138; cost line -$7,810; General current +$272,914. | Proposal moveFederal grants changes -$316,050 in the latest file | UFB denominator above fall enrollmentUFB vs fall gap +23; FRL 0%; multilingual learners 0%.Receives many outside studentsSent placements 0%; special-education on-roll 12%; UFB on-roll movement 13%. | No high-signal row. | Many shared-service arrangementsUnusual rows $0; shared-service rows 20; reported savings $267,500.High balance-to-budget cushion$1.2M estimated balances/reserves; 45% of operating scale; largest: Capital reserve.High levy per UFB on-rollEstimated rate 0.053 per $100; tax levy per UFB on-roll $28,619; 1 slice(s). | Open report |
| Jersey CityHudson County | 10One-time support | Cost comparison$28,117; #66 NJ / #1 county; real movement +$7,142Real movementPublished comparative-cost line moved +$7,142 after inflation. | Tax levy drives proposalOperating +$25.4M; cost line +$827; School-based budgeting +$26.7M. | Other or fund-balance reliance roseLatest mix 69% local / 15% state; local shift +42 pts, state shift -57 pts.Current scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 69% of operating scale | UFB denominator above fall enrollmentUFB vs fall gap +6,494; FRL 54%; multilingual learners 16%. | Publishes school-resource statementslisted admin base $2.0M; $63 per UFB on-roll; highest row $311,472; components $956,046; school-resource rows $761.9M. | Summary levy differs from esttax total levyEstimated rate 0.858 per $100; tax levy per UFB on-roll $16,807; 1 slice(s).One-time support$160.2M in fund-balance, reserve, or carryover rows; 18% of operating scale.Large real balance growth$29.8M estimated balances/reserves; 3% of operating scale; largest: Unrestricted general operating balance. | Open report |
| Asbury Park CityMonmouth County | 9Operating funding family | High cost position$33,850; #23 NJ / #5 county; real movement -$8,306Real movementPublished comparative-cost line moved -$8,306 after inflation. | Proposed comparative cost decreaseOperating +$4.9M; cost line -$1,653; Charter transfers +$2.2M. | Real movementState aid moved -$43.3M since 2019-20Local share rose as state share fellLatest mix 63% local / 30% state; local shift +50 pts, state shift -46 pts. | UFB denominator above fall enrollmentUFB vs fall gap +860; FRL 71%; multilingual learners 21%. | Publishes school-resource statementslisted admin base $2.8M; $1,300 per UFB on-roll; highest row $207,618; components $531,732; school-resource rows $46.9M. | Summary levy differs from esttax total levyEstimated rate 0.982 per $100; tax levy per UFB on-roll $17,548; 1 slice(s).One-time support$5.5M in fund-balance, reserve, or carryover rows; 9% of operating scale. | Open report |
| Woodlynne BoroCamden County | 9One-time support | High cost position$30,184; #48 NJ / #1 county; real movement +$7,458Real movementPublished comparative-cost line moved +$7,458 after inflation. | Proposed comparative cost increaseOperating -$363,652; cost line +$2,391; Capital outlay -$904,831. | Real movementCapital, facilities, and debt moved +$9.8M since 2019-20Other or fund-balance reliance roseLatest mix 11% local / 59% state; local shift -10 pts, state shift -8 pts. | High fall need and high costUFB vs fall gap +18; FRL 88%; multilingual learners 16%.Placement-heavy planning loadSent placements 47%; special-education on-roll 13%; UFB on-roll movement >-1%. | No high-signal row. | One-time support$7.1M in fund-balance, reserve, or carryover rows; 31% of operating scale.High estimated tax rateEstimated rate 1.902 per $100; tax levy per UFB on-roll $5,822; 1 slice(s). | Open report |
| Ramapo-Indian Hill RegBergen County | 9Cost position | High cost position$30,602; #45 NJ / #7 county; real movement +$4,569Real movementPublished comparative-cost line moved +$4,569 after inflation. | Mixed proposal movementOperating +$538,375; cost line +$787; General current +$1.4M. | Real movementCapital, facilities, and debt moved -$6.9M since 2019-20 | UFB on-roll declinedSent placements 2%; special-education on-roll 17%; UFB on-roll movement -20%. | High individual listed salarylisted admin base $3.0M; $1,614 per UFB on-roll; highest row $263,000; components $418,273. | High levy per UFB on-rollEstimated rate 0.381 per $100; tax levy per UFB on-roll $31,535; 3 slice(s).Falling close-year balance$14.6M estimated balances/reserves; 21% of operating scale; largest: Capital reserve.One-time support$5.6M in fund-balance, reserve, or carryover rows; 8% of operating scale. | Open report |
| Sea Girt BoroMonmouth County | 9Current proposal change | High cost position$38,409; #16 NJ / #3 county; real movement +$1,352 | Proposed comparative cost increaseOperating -$278,093; cost line +$5,688; Capital outlay -$483,600. | Real movementCapital, facilities, and debt moved -$3.2M since 2019-20Other or fund-balance reliance roseLatest mix 87% local / 2% state; local shift +15 pts, state shift 0 pts. | Receives many outside studentsSent placements 33%; special-education on-roll 11%; UFB on-roll movement -10%. | High listed admin salary per UFB on-rolllisted admin base $512,053; $3,879 per UFB on-roll; highest row $185,395; components $104,041. | High balance-to-budget cushion$2.8M estimated balances/reserves; 45% of operating scale; largest: Capital reserve.High levy per UFB on-rollEstimated rate 0.132 per $100; tax levy per UFB on-roll $38,951; 1 slice(s).One-time support$686,413 in fund-balance, reserve, or carryover rows; 11% of operating scale. | Open report |
| Alpine BoroBergen County | 9Cost position | High cost position$35,241; #19 NJ / #3 county; real movement -$9,471Real movementPublished comparative-cost line moved -$9,471 after inflation. | Proposed comparative cost decreaseOperating +$1.0M; cost line -$2,998; Capital outlay +$825,478. | Real movementFund balance and reserves moved +$1.7M since 2019-20 | Placement-heavy planning loadSent placements 34%; special-education on-roll 17%; UFB on-roll movement 15%. | High listed admin salary per UFB on-rolllisted admin base $909,774; $5,651 per UFB on-roll; highest row $210,000; components $181,294. | High balance-to-budget cushion$6.1M estimated balances/reserves; 68% of operating scale; largest: Capital reserve.High levy per UFB on-rollEstimated rate 0.367 per $100; tax levy per UFB on-roll $47,637; 1 slice(s).One-time support$869,000 in fund-balance, reserve, or carryover rows; 10% of operating scale. | Open report |
| Seaside Heights BoroOcean County | 9Cost position | High cost position$31,601; #39 NJ / #4 county; real movement +$5,598Real movementPublished comparative-cost line moved +$5,598 after inflation. | Proposed comparative cost increaseOperating +$349,656; cost line +$2,286; General current +$349,656. | Real movementPreschool moved +$1.4M since 2019-20Local share rose as state share fellLatest mix 87% local / 8% state; local shift +18 pts, state shift -16 pts. | High fall need and high costUFB vs fall gap +11; FRL 85%; multilingual learners 7%.High special-education on-rollSent placements 3%; special-education on-roll 24%; UFB on-roll movement -22%. | No high-signal row. | Many shared-service arrangementsUnusual rows $0; shared-service rows 15; reported savings $0.Large tax base, lower rateEstimated rate 0.343 per $100; tax levy per UFB on-roll $27,934; 1 slice(s). | Open report |
| Brigantine CityAtlantic County | 9Cost position | High cost position$41,613; #13 NJ / #2 county; real movement +$8,251Real movementPublished comparative-cost line moved +$8,251 after inflation. | Mixed proposal movementOperating -$293,483; cost line +$973; Capital outlay -$483,050. | Proposal moveCapital, facilities, and debt changes -$1.0M in the latest file | High homelessness shareUFB vs fall gap +48; FRL 32%; multilingual learners 2%.UFB on-roll declinedSent placements 7%; special-education on-roll 15%; UFB on-roll movement -33%. | No high-signal row. | High balance-to-budget cushion$8.3M estimated balances/reserves; 46% of operating scale; largest: Capital reserve.High levy per UFB on-rollEstimated rate 0.253 per $100; tax levy per UFB on-roll $40,843; 1 slice(s).One-time support$1.4M in fund-balance, reserve, or carryover rows; 8% of operating scale. | Open report |
| Roosevelt BoroMonmouth County | 9Current proposal change | High cost position$40,023; #14 NJ / #2 county; real movement +$17,804Real movementPublished comparative-cost line moved +$17,804 after inflation. | Mixed proposal movementOperating -$30,691; cost line +$7,059; Capital outlay -$237,932. | Proposal moveCapital, facilities, and debt changes -$600,264 in the latest file | Fall enrollment above UFB denominatorUFB vs fall gap -18; FRL 18%; multilingual learners 5%.Placement-heavy planning loadSent placements 75%; special-education on-roll 13%; UFB on-roll movement -37%. | No high-signal row. | High balance-to-budget cushion$1.1M estimated balances/reserves; 29% of operating scale; largest: Maintenance reserve.High estimated tax rateEstimated rate 1.496 per $100; tax levy per UFB on-roll $28,665; 1 slice(s).One-time support$350,455 in fund-balance, reserve, or carryover rows; 10% of operating scale. | Open report |
| Lakewood TwpOcean County | 9Cost position | High cost position$32,375; #35 NJ / #3 county; real movement +$9,818Real movementPublished comparative-cost line moved +$9,818 after inflation. | Proposed comparative cost decreaseOperating -$32.4M; cost line -$2,764; General current -$40.2M. | State share rose as local share fellLatest mix 51% local / 48% state; local shift -10 pts, state shift +10 pts.Current scaleState aid represents 85% of operating scale | UFB denominator above fall enrollmentUFB vs fall gap +788; FRL 90%; multilingual learners 45%.UFB on-roll declinedSent placements 11%; special-education on-roll 20%; UFB on-roll movement -20%. | Publishes school-resource statementslisted admin base $3.3M; $714 per UFB on-roll; highest row $245,140; components $406,000; school-resource rows $107.7M. | High unusual-item scaleUnusual rows $144.7M; shared-service rows 0; reported savings $0. | Open report |
| Bridgeton CityCumberland County | 8Operating funding family | Cost comparison$25,903; #108 NJ / #1 county; real movement +$5,061Real movementPublished comparative-cost line moved +$5,061 after inflation. | Capital proposal decreaseOperating -$5.4M; cost line +$1,444; Capital outlay -$14.7M. | Proposal moveFederal grants changes -$28.9M in the latest file | High fall need and high costUFB vs fall gap -387; FRL 80%; multilingual learners 37%. | Publishes school-resource statementslisted admin base $3.5M; $600 per UFB on-roll; highest row $211,150; components $606,900; school-resource rows $175.5M. | Large real balance growth$41.5M estimated balances/reserves; 25% of operating scale; largest: Capital reserve.One-time support$20.8M in fund-balance, reserve, or carryover rows; 13% of operating scale. | Open report |
| Neptune TwpMonmouth County | 8Operating funding family | No high-signal row. | Proposed comparative cost increaseOperating +$12.4M; cost line +$4,343; School-based budgeting +$6.6M. | Real movementState aid moved -$28.3M since 2019-20Local share rose as state share fellLatest mix 83% local / 11% state; local shift +27 pts, state shift -26 pts. | High fall need and high costUFB vs fall gap +224; FRL 67%; multilingual learners 12%.UFB on-roll declinedSent placements 3%; special-education on-roll 20%; UFB on-roll movement -12%. | Publishes school-resource statementslisted admin base $2.1M; $602 per UFB on-roll; highest row $203,799; components $310,700; school-resource rows $98.2M. | Tuition or placement explanationUnusual rows $6.3M; shared-service rows 7; reported savings $0.One-time support$5.2M in fund-balance, reserve, or carryover rows; 5% of operating scale. | Open report |
| Ridgefield Park TwpBergen County | 8Operating funding family | Real movementPublished comparative-cost line moved +$7,939 after inflation. | Proposed comparative cost increaseOperating +$3.6M; cost line +$1,777; General current +$2.8M. | Real movementState aid moved +$9.6M since 2019-20State share rose as local share fellLatest mix 62% local / 32% state; local shift -11 pts, state shift +10 pts. | Receives many outside studentsSent placements 8%; special-education on-roll 19%; UFB on-roll movement -21%. | No high-signal row. | Many shared-service arrangementsUnusual rows $0; shared-service rows 15; reported savings $0.Lower tax base with higher rateEstimated rate 1.420 per $100; tax levy per UFB on-roll $14,861; 1 slice(s).One-time support$3.4M in fund-balance, reserve, or carryover rows; 6% of operating scale. | Open report |
| Passaic Co Manchester RegPassaic County | 8Outside-operating family | Real movementPublished comparative-cost line moved +$2,554 after inflation. | No high-signal row. | Real movementCapital, facilities, and debt moved +$6.2M since 2019-20State share rose as local share fellLatest mix 37% local / 51% state; local shift -15 pts, state shift +9 pts. | Placement-heavy planning loadSent placements 62%; special-education on-roll 17%; UFB on-roll movement <1%. | Shared administrative roleslisted admin base $858,037; $1,044 per UFB on-roll; highest row $193,000; components $146,349; shared rows 4. | Multi-slice regional tax spreadEstimated rate 0.351 per $100; tax levy per UFB on-roll $14,503; 3 slice(s).High unusual-item scaleUnusual rows $7.7M; shared-service rows 16; reported savings $348,564.One-time support$3.9M in fund-balance, reserve, or carryover rows; 12% of operating scale. | Open report |
| Edgewater BoroBergen County | 8Student/service family | Real movementPublished comparative-cost line moved +$9,292 after inflation. | Proposed comparative cost decreaseOperating +$180,275; cost line -$1,960; Benefits +$615,260. | Real movementFund balance and reserves moved +$2.9M since 2019-20 | Placement-heavy planning loadSent placements 63%; special-education on-roll 9%; UFB on-roll movement -22%.High multilingual learner shareUFB vs fall gap +98; FRL 17%; multilingual learners 24%. | No high-signal row. | High balance-to-budget cushion$17.0M estimated balances/reserves; 48% of operating scale; largest: Capital reserve.High levy per UFB on-rollEstimated rate 0.659 per $100; tax levy per UFB on-roll $35,749; 1 slice(s).One-time support$1.9M in fund-balance, reserve, or carryover rows; 5% of operating scale. | Open report |
| Hanover Park RegionalMorris County | 8Cost position | High cost position$30,192; #47 NJ / #3 county; real movement +$3,323Real movementPublished comparative-cost line moved +$3,323 after inflation. | Proposed comparative cost increaseOperating +$2.3M; cost line +$1,923; General current +$2.3M. | Proposal moveFund balance and reserves changes +$2.4M in the latest fileOther or fund-balance reliance roseLatest mix 78% local / 5% state; local shift -9 pts, state shift +1 pt. | UFB on-roll declinedSent placements 3%; special-education on-roll 18%; UFB on-roll movement -16%. | No high-signal row. | High levy per UFB on-rollEstimated rate 0.271 per $100; tax levy per UFB on-roll $31,463; 3 slice(s).One-time support$7.7M in fund-balance, reserve, or carryover rows; 16% of operating scale. | Open report |
| Cape May CityCape May County | 8One-time support | High cost position$32,053; #38 NJ / #5 county; real movement +$3,013Real movementPublished comparative-cost line moved +$3,013 after inflation. | Proposed comparative cost decreaseOperating -$888,717; cost line -$3,845; Capital outlay -$1.0M. | Real movementPreschool moved +$2.1M since 2019-20Other or fund-balance reliance roseLatest mix 37% local / 22% state; local shift -7 pts, state shift +10 pts. | No high-signal row. | Shared administrative roleslisted admin base $585,392; $3,505 per UFB on-roll; highest row $154,778; components $152,157; shared rows 3. | One-time support$1.6M in fund-balance, reserve, or carryover rows; 30% of operating scale.High balance-to-budget cushion$1.5M estimated balances/reserves; 28% of operating scale; largest: Impact aid reserve. | Open report |
| Milford BoroHunterdon County | 8Cost position | High cost position$36,095; #18 NJ / #1 county; real movement +$9,983Real movementPublished comparative-cost line moved +$9,983 after inflation. | Capital proposal decreaseOperating -$185,355; cost line -$1,925; Capital outlay -$347,273. | Proposal moveOther named rows changes -$713,295 in the latest file | Placement-heavy planning loadSent placements 41%; special-education on-roll 6%; UFB on-roll movement -31%. | No high-signal row. | High balance-to-budget cushion$2.8M estimated balances/reserves; 106% of operating scale; largest: Capital reserve.High estimated tax rateEstimated rate 1.908 per $100; tax levy per UFB on-roll $33,147; 1 slice(s).One-time support$180,266 in fund-balance, reserve, or carryover rows; 7% of operating scale. | Open report |
| Saddle River BoroBergen County | 8Cost position | High cost position$42,505; #12 NJ / #2 county; real movement +$11,581Real movementPublished comparative-cost line moved +$11,581 after inflation. | Proposed comparative cost decreaseOperating -$441,392; cost line -$7,280; Capital outlay -$285,371. | Proposal moveCapital, facilities, and debt changes -$563,038 in the latest file | Placement-heavy planning loadSent placements 162%; special-education on-roll 8%; UFB on-roll movement -29%. | High listed admin salary per UFB on-rolllisted admin base $646,840; $4,976 per UFB on-roll; highest row $173,000; components $26,768. | High levy per UFB on-rollEstimated rate 0.380 per $100; tax levy per UFB on-roll $77,193; 1 slice(s).One-time support$975,000 in fund-balance, reserve, or carryover rows; 8% of operating scale. | Open report |
| Avon BoroMonmouth County | 8Cost position | High cost position$33,657; #24 NJ / #6 county; real movement +$7,717Real movementPublished comparative-cost line moved +$7,717 after inflation. | Proposed comparative cost decreaseOperating +$228,571; cost line -$3,947; Capital outlay +$210,000. | Proposal moveCapital, facilities, and debt changes +$417,769 in the latest file | Receives many outside studentsSent placements 27%; special-education on-roll 17%; UFB on-roll movement -22%. | No high-signal row. | Tuition or placement explanationUnusual rows $240,800; shared-service rows 25; reported savings $0.High levy per UFB on-rollEstimated rate 0.258 per $100; tax levy per UFB on-roll $36,097; 1 slice(s).One-time support$738,143 in fund-balance, reserve, or carryover rows; 13% of operating scale. | Open report |
| Warren Co Special ServiceWarren County | 8Cost position | High cost position$50,000; #9 NJ / #1 county; real movement -$5,004Real movementPublished comparative-cost line moved -$5,004 after inflation. | Mixed proposal movementOperating $0; cost line +$50,000; General current $0. | Current scaleSpecial education and student supports represents 100% of operating scale | High special-education on-rollSent placements 0%; special-education on-roll 100%; UFB on-roll movement n/a.No same-year fall enrollment matchUFB vs fall gap n/a; FRL n/a; multilingual learners n/a. | High listed admin salary per UFB on-rolllisted admin base $395,700; $65,950 per UFB on-roll; highest row $137,700; components $124,168. | High balance-to-budget cushion$144,032 estimated balances/reserves; 48% of operating scale; largest: Unrestricted general operating balance. | Open report |
| Atlantic Co Special ServAtlantic County | 8Cost position | High cost position$50,249; #8 NJ / #1 county; real movement -$24,004Real movementPublished comparative-cost line moved -$24,004 after inflation. | No high-signal row. | Current scaleTransfers and tuition represents 78% of operating scale | High homelessness shareUFB vs fall gap +21; FRL 41%; multilingual learners 1%.High special-education on-rollSent placements 0%; special-education on-roll 100%; UFB on-roll movement 14%. | No high-signal row. | Many shared-service arrangementsUnusual rows $0; shared-service rows 16; reported savings $440,000.High balance-to-budget cushion$5.5M estimated balances/reserves; 29% of operating scale; largest: Capital reserve.One-time support$1.4M in fund-balance, reserve, or carryover rows; 8% of operating scale. | Open report |
| Essex Co Ed Serv CommEssex County | 7One-time support | No high-signal row. | No high-signal row. | Real movementTransportation moved -$83.1M since 2019-20Other or fund-balance reliance roseLatest mix 72% local / 0% state; local shift -25 pts, state shift 0 pts. | Receives many outside studentsSent placements 0%; special-education on-roll 20%; UFB on-roll movement 7%.Fall enrollment above UFB denominatorUFB vs fall gap -19; FRL 72%; multilingual learners 5%. | High listed admin salary per UFB on-rolllisted admin base $2.9M; $36,210 per UFB on-roll; highest row $231,745; components $263. | High balance-to-budget cushion$8.0M estimated balances/reserves; 76% of operating scale; largest: Unrestricted general operating balance.One-time support$2.9M in fund-balance, reserve, or carryover rows; 28% of operating scale. | Open report |
| Passaic CityPassaic County | 7Fund balance/reserve family | No high-signal row. | Proposed comparative cost decreaseOperating -$34.5M; cost line -$2,916; General current -$21.6M. | Proposal moveFund balance and reserves changes -$35.1M in the latest file | UFB denominator above fall enrollmentUFB vs fall gap +1,767; FRL 92%; multilingual learners 37%.UFB on-roll declinedSent placements 5%; special-education on-roll 15%; UFB on-roll movement -15%. | Publishes school-resource statementslisted admin base $1.4M; $113 per UFB on-roll; highest row $221,793; components $487,639; school-resource rows $338.3M. | One-time support$30.4M in fund-balance, reserve, or carryover rows; 9% of operating scale.Large real balance growth$30.2M estimated balances/reserves; 9% of operating scale; largest: Capital reserve. | Open report |
| West New York TownHudson County | 7One-time support | Real movementPublished comparative-cost line moved +$2,769 after inflation. | Fund-balance proposal shiftOperating +$17.3M; cost line +$1,061; General current +$13.2M. | Real movementFund balance and reserves moved +$24.1M since 2019-20Other or fund-balance reliance roseLatest mix 11% local / 74% state; local shift -4 pts, state shift -7 pts. | High fall need and state-fundedUFB vs fall gap -28; FRL 82%; multilingual learners 21%. | Publishes school-resource statementslisted admin base $4.6M; $629 per UFB on-roll; highest row $280,370; components $981,066; school-resource rows $173.7M. | One-time support$30.3M in fund-balance, reserve, or carryover rows; 16% of operating scale. | Open report |
| Kearny TownHudson County | 7Outside-operating family | Real movementPublished comparative-cost line moved +$5,366 after inflation. | State revenue drives proposalOperating +$465,519; cost line +$1,370; Capital outlay -$9.6M. | Proposal moveCapital, facilities, and debt changes -$19.3M in the latest fileState share rose as local share fellLatest mix 40% local / 56% state; local shift -16 pts, state shift +12 pts. | High multilingual learner shareUFB vs fall gap +575; FRL 71%; multilingual learners 18%. | No high-signal row. | Large real balance growth$30.0M estimated balances/reserves; 19% of operating scale; largest: Capital reserve.One-time support$9.1M in fund-balance, reserve, or carryover rows; 6% of operating scale. | Open report |
| Long Branch CityMonmouth County | 7Outside-operating family | No high-signal row. | No high-signal row. | Proposal moveSpecial revenue funds changes -$17.4M in the latest fileLocal share rose as state share fellLatest mix 58% local / 35% state; local shift +9 pts, state shift -13 pts. | High multilingual learner shareUFB vs fall gap +316; FRL 82%; multilingual learners 23%. | Publishes school-resource statementslisted admin base $4.5M; $852 per UFB on-roll; highest row $290,833; components $919,973; school-resource rows $136.5M. | Many shared-service arrangementsUnusual rows $1.5M; shared-service rows 21; reported savings $0.Summary levy differs from esttax total levyEstimated rate 0.664 per $100; tax levy per UFB on-roll $12,818; 1 slice(s).One-time support$8.8M in fund-balance, reserve, or carryover rows; 7% of operating scale. | Open report |
| Monmouth-Ocean Ed Ser ComMonmouth County | 7Per-student cost anatomy | No high-signal row. | Mixed proposal movementOperating +$145,525; cost line n/a; Transportation -$1.4M. | Real movementSpecial revenue funds moved -$17.3M since 2019-20 | Receives many outside studentsSent placements 0%; special-education on-roll 65%; UFB on-roll movement 48%.UFB denominator above fall enrollmentUFB vs fall gap +12; FRL 55%; multilingual learners 5%. | Shared administrative roleslisted admin base $1.5M; $44,690 per UFB on-roll; highest row $282,000; components $320,327; shared rows 2. | Many shared-service arrangementsUnusual rows $5.9M; shared-service rows 15; reported savings $0.Mostly unrestricted balance$11.4M estimated balances/reserves; 15% of operating scale; largest: Unrestricted general operating balance. | Open report |
| Mercer Co Special Services School DistrictMercer County | 7Cost position | High cost position$95,262; #2 NJ / #1 county; real movement +$3,946Real movementPublished comparative-cost line moved +$3,946 after inflation. | Proposed comparative cost increaseOperating -$2.7M; cost line +$3,649; Capital outlay -$4.8M. | Proposal moveFund balance and reserves changes -$13.6M in the latest file | High homelessness shareUFB vs fall gap +28; FRL 40%; multilingual learners 2%.High special-education on-rollSent placements 0%; special-education on-roll 100%; UFB on-roll movement -15%. | Shared administrative roleslisted admin base $1.2M; $2,639 per UFB on-roll; highest row $165,639; components $209,794; shared rows 3. | No high-signal row. | Open report |
| Medford TwpBurlington County | 7Current proposal change | Low cost position$16,779; #553 NJ / #38 county; real movement -$5,671Real movementPublished comparative-cost line moved -$5,671 after inflation. | Proposed comparative cost decreaseOperating +$4.3M; cost line -$2,808; General current +$4.9M. | Real movementSpecial revenue funds moved +$13.3M since 2019-20 | UFB on-roll grewSent placements 1%; special-education on-roll 15%; UFB on-roll movement 37%.UFB denominator above fall enrollmentUFB vs fall gap +660; FRL 10%; multilingual learners 2%. | No high-signal row. | One-time support$3.3M in fund-balance, reserve, or carryover rows; 5% of operating scale. | Open report |
| Atlantic Co VocationalAtlantic County | 7Student/service family | Low cost position$17,988; #532 NJ / #24 county; real movement -$2,259 | No high-signal row. | Real movementTransfers and tuition moved -$12.1M since 2019-20Other or fund-balance reliance roseLatest mix 30% local / 55% state; local shift -33 pts, state shift +22 pts. | UFB on-roll grewSent placements 0%; special-education on-roll 4%; UFB on-roll movement 21%. | Shared administrative roleslisted admin base $717,611; $353 per UFB on-roll; highest row $220,245; components $197,646; shared rows 4. | Many shared-service arrangementsUnusual rows $0; shared-service rows 16; reported savings $385,000.One-time support$6.1M in fund-balance, reserve, or carryover rows; 15% of operating scale. | Open report |
| Evesham TwpBurlington County | 7Current proposal change | Low cost position$18,063; #528 NJ / #35 county; real movement -$2,558Real movementPublished comparative-cost line moved -$2,558 after inflation. | Tax levy drives proposalOperating +$11.9M; cost line +$402; Capital outlay +$6.1M. | Real movementSpecial revenue funds moved +$10.9M since 2019-20Local share rose as state share fellLatest mix 91% local / 9% state; local shift +10 pts, state shift -8 pts. | No high-signal row. | No high-signal row. | Summary levy differs from esttax total levyEstimated rate 1.000 per $100; tax levy per UFB on-roll $18,876; 1 slice(s).Many shared-service arrangementsUnusual rows $0; shared-service rows 20; reported savings $0. | Open report |
| Pascack Valley RegionalBergen County | 7Cost position | High cost position$32,606; #32 NJ / #5 county; real movement +$2,888Real movementPublished comparative-cost line moved +$2,888 after inflation. | No high-signal row. | Real movementCapital, facilities, and debt moved -$6.9M since 2019-20 | UFB on-roll declinedSent placements 4%; special-education on-roll 20%; UFB on-roll movement -16%. | Many listed administrative roleslisted admin base $3.0M; $1,744 per UFB on-roll; highest row $246,897; components $761,344. | High levy per UFB on-rollEstimated rate 0.543 per $100; tax levy per UFB on-roll $33,713; 4 slice(s).One-time support$4.7M in fund-balance, reserve, or carryover rows; 7% of operating scale. | Open report |
| North Plainfield BoroSomerset County | 7Funding model shift | Real movementPublished comparative-cost line moved +$3,304 after inflation. | Fund-balance proposal shiftOperating +$4.8M; cost line +$1,558; General current +$5.8M. | Proposal moveOther named rows changes -$6.6M in the latest fileState share rose as local share fellLatest mix 30% local / 63% state; local shift -20 pts, state shift +17 pts. | High multilingual learner shareUFB vs fall gap +147; FRL 73%; multilingual learners 32%. | No high-signal row. | Large real balance growth$17.5M estimated balances/reserves; 15% of operating scale; largest: Capital reserve.One-time support$8.0M in fund-balance, reserve, or carryover rows; 7% of operating scale. | Open report |
| Bedminster TwpSomerset County | 7Fund balance/reserve family | High cost position$32,329; #36 NJ / #2 county; real movement +$3,989Real movementPublished comparative-cost line moved +$3,989 after inflation. | Proposed comparative cost increaseOperating -$2.8M; cost line +$1,608; Capital outlay -$3.4M. | Proposal moveFund balance and reserves changes -$6.4M in the latest file | Placement-heavy planning loadSent placements 56%; special-education on-roll 13%; UFB on-roll movement -19%. | No high-signal row. | High levy per UFB on-rollEstimated rate 0.669 per $100; tax levy per UFB on-roll $44,056; 1 slice(s).One-time support$1.3M in fund-balance, reserve, or carryover rows; 6% of operating scale. | Open report |
| Ocean CityCape May County | 7Fund balance/reserve family | Real movementPublished comparative-cost line moved +$3,791 after inflation. | Mixed proposal movementOperating +$3.8M; cost line +$835; Capital outlay +$3.0M. | Real movementFund balance and reserves moved +$6.3M since 2019-20 | Receives many outside studentsSent placements <1%; special-education on-roll 8%; UFB on-roll movement -22%. | Shared administrative roleslisted admin base $1.2M; $730 per UFB on-roll; highest row $210,000; components $311,587; shared rows 2. | Many shared-service arrangementsUnusual rows $0; shared-service rows 16; reported savings $0.One-time support$5.5M in fund-balance, reserve, or carryover rows; 11% of operating scale. | Open report |
| Red Bank BoroMonmouth County | 7Outside-operating family | Real movementPublished comparative-cost line moved +$2,858 after inflation. | Tax levy drives proposalOperating -$2.3M; cost line -$1,247; Capital outlay -$2.6M. | Real movementSpecial revenue funds moved -$6.0M since 2019-20 | UFB denominator above fall enrollmentUFB vs fall gap +201; FRL 78%; multilingual learners 40%.UFB on-roll declinedSent placements <1%; special-education on-roll 18%; UFB on-roll movement -13%. | No high-signal row. | High balance-to-budget cushion$12.6M estimated balances/reserves; 40% of operating scale; largest: Capital reserve.One-time support$2.1M in fund-balance, reserve, or carryover rows; 7% of operating scale. | Open report |
| Paulsboro BoroGloucester County | 7Outside-operating family | Real movementPublished comparative-cost line moved +$6,611 after inflation. | State revenue drives proposalOperating +$4.6M; cost line +$987; Capital outlay +$2.7M. | Proposal moveCapital, facilities, and debt changes +$5.9M in the latest fileOther or fund-balance reliance roseLatest mix 24% local / 62% state; local shift -12 pts, state shift 0 pts. | High fall need and high costUFB vs fall gap +8; FRL 76%; multilingual learners 4%. | No high-signal row. | High estimated tax rateEstimated rate 1.529 per $100; tax levy per UFB on-roll $6,302; 1 slice(s).One-time support$5.2M in fund-balance, reserve, or carryover rows; 13% of operating scale. | Open report |
| Gloucester Co Spec ServGloucester County | 7Cost position | High cost position$64,243; #4 NJ / #1 county; real movement -$8 | Proposed comparative cost decreaseOperating -$762,268; cost line -$7,547; General current -$670,903. | Proposal moveSpecial revenue funds changes -$5.2M in the latest file | High homelessness shareUFB vs fall gap +42; FRL 21%; multilingual learners <1%.High special-education on-rollSent placements 0%; special-education on-roll 100%; UFB on-roll movement -12%. | Shared administrative roleslisted admin base $3.6M; $6,874 per UFB on-roll; highest row $179,375; components $458,239; shared rows 1. | One-time support$4.0M in fund-balance, reserve, or carryover rows; 12% of operating scale. | Open report |
| Spring Lake BoroMonmouth County | 7Cost position | High cost position$43,613; #11 NJ / #1 county; real movement +$6,371Real movementPublished comparative-cost line moved +$6,371 after inflation. | Proposed comparative cost decreaseOperating -$3.1M; cost line -$2,277; Capital outlay -$2.3M. | Proposal moveFund balance and reserves changes -$5.1M in the latest file | Receives many outside studentsSent placements 27%; special-education on-roll 7%; UFB on-roll movement -22%. | No high-signal row. | High levy per UFB on-rollEstimated rate 0.093 per $100; tax levy per UFB on-roll $47,719; 1 slice(s).One-time support$993,798 in fund-balance, reserve, or carryover rows; 13% of operating scale. | Open report |
| Fairview BoroBergen County | 7Balances and reserves | Real movementPublished comparative-cost line moved +$9,534 after inflation. | Proposed comparative cost decreaseOperating -$2.9M; cost line -$1,872; Capital outlay -$2.1M. | Proposal moveOther named rows changes -$4.7M in the latest fileState share rose as local share fellLatest mix 30% local / 67% state; local shift -21 pts, state shift +21 pts. | High multilingual learner shareUFB vs fall gap +49; FRL 77%; multilingual learners 25%.Placement-heavy planning loadSent placements 44%; special-education on-roll 13%; UFB on-roll movement -26%. | No high-signal row. | High balance-to-budget cushion$50.0M estimated balances/reserves; 94% of operating scale; largest: Capital reserve. | Open report |
| Point Pleasant Beach BoroOcean County | 7Current proposal change | Real movementPublished comparative-cost line moved +$3,218 after inflation. | Mixed proposal movementOperating +$3.2M; cost line +$1,214; Capital outlay +$2.0M. | Proposal moveCapital, facilities, and debt changes +$4.0M in the latest fileOther or fund-balance reliance roseLatest mix 82% local / 3% state; local shift -14 pts, state shift 0 pts. | Receives many outside studentsSent placements 2%; special-education on-roll 14%; UFB on-roll movement -15%. | No high-signal row. | Large tax base, lower rateEstimated rate 0.262 per $100; tax levy per UFB on-roll $24,621; 2 slice(s).One-time support$3.2M in fund-balance, reserve, or carryover rows; 15% of operating scale. | Open report |
| Guttenberg TownHudson County | 7Operating funding family | Real movementPublished comparative-cost line moved +$5,505 after inflation. | Proposed comparative cost increaseOperating -$57,055; cost line +$2,216; Capital outlay -$1.9M. | Proposal moveCapital, facilities, and debt changes -$3.8M in the latest fileOther or fund-balance reliance roseLatest mix 35% local / 52% state; local shift -20 pts, state shift +13 pts. | High multilingual learner shareUFB vs fall gap +96; FRL 74%; multilingual learners 26%.Placement-heavy planning loadSent placements 40%; special-education on-roll 10%; UFB on-roll movement 7%. | No high-signal row. | One-time support$4.2M in fund-balance, reserve, or carryover rows; 13% of operating scale. | Open report |
| Edgewater Park TwpBurlington County | 7Operating funding family | Real movementPublished comparative-cost line moved +$2,571 after inflation. | No high-signal row. | Proposal moveFund balance and reserves changes +$2.9M in the latest fileState share rose as local share fellLatest mix 35% local / 53% state; local shift -20 pts, state shift +15 pts. | High multilingual learner shareUFB vs fall gap +62; FRL 47%; multilingual learners 25%.UFB on-roll grewSent placements 22%; special-education on-roll 18%; UFB on-roll movement 16%. | No high-signal row. | Lower tax base with higher rateEstimated rate 1.307 per $100; tax levy per UFB on-roll $10,852; 1 slice(s).One-time support$4.3M in fund-balance, reserve, or carryover rows; 13% of operating scale. | Open report |
| Ventnor CityAtlantic County | 7Cost position | High cost position$32,146; #37 NJ / #4 county; real movement +$5,333Real movementPublished comparative-cost line moved +$5,333 after inflation. | Proposed comparative cost decreaseOperating -$371,491; cost line -$1,682; Benefits -$534,591. | Proposal moveFederal grants changes -$2.9M in the latest file | UFB on-roll declinedSent placements 26%; special-education on-roll 10%; UFB on-roll movement -25%. | No high-signal row. | High levy per UFB on-rollEstimated rate 0.430 per $100; tax levy per UFB on-roll $32,506; 1 slice(s).One-time support$2.5M in fund-balance, reserve, or carryover rows; 12% of operating scale. | Open report |
| East Newark BoroHudson County | 7Outside-operating family | Real movementPublished comparative-cost line moved +$8,784 after inflation. | Proposed comparative cost decreaseOperating +$212,012; cost line -$2,371; General current +$1.0M. | Proposal moveSpecial revenue funds changes -$2.8M in the latest fileOther or fund-balance reliance roseLatest mix 17% local / 72% state; local shift -11 pts, state shift +1 pt. | UFB denominator above fall enrollmentUFB vs fall gap +95; FRL 68%; multilingual learners 30%.Placement-heavy planning loadSent placements 61%; special-education on-roll 7%; UFB on-roll movement -17%. | No high-signal row. | One-time support$1.1M in fund-balance, reserve, or carryover rows; 11% of operating scale. | Open report |
| South Bound BrookSomerset County | 7Operating funding family | Real movementPublished comparative-cost line moved +$3,287 after inflation. | Mixed proposal movementOperating +$633,298; cost line -$1,041; General current +$616,382. | Real movementState aid moved +$2.3M since 2019-20State share rose as local share fellLatest mix 46% local / 42% state; local shift -9 pts, state shift +9 pts. | UFB on-roll declinedSent placements 33%; special-education on-roll 14%; UFB on-roll movement -16%. | No high-signal row. | Lower tax base with higher rateEstimated rate 1.445 per $100; tax levy per UFB on-roll $16,279; 1 slice(s).One-time support$1.8M in fund-balance, reserve, or carryover rows; 11% of operating scale. | Open report |
| Bound Brook BoroSomerset County | 7Operating funding family | Real movementPublished comparative-cost line moved +$4,723 after inflation. | No high-signal row. | Proposal moveSpecial revenue funds changes -$2.0M in the latest fileState share rose as local share fellLatest mix 31% local / 64% state; local shift -16 pts, state shift +14 pts. | UFB denominator above fall enrollmentUFB vs fall gap +396; FRL 66%; multilingual learners 34%.UFB on-roll grewSent placements 2%; special-education on-roll 16%; UFB on-roll movement 15%. | No high-signal row. | Many shared-service arrangementsUnusual rows $0; shared-service rows 20; reported savings $0.One-time support$3.3M in fund-balance, reserve, or carryover rows; 6% of operating scale. | Open report |
| Englewood Cliffs BoroBergen County | 7Cost position | High cost position$32,777; #29 NJ / #4 county; real movement +$4,162Real movementPublished comparative-cost line moved +$4,162 after inflation. | Mixed proposal movementOperating +$838,307; cost line +$1,158; General current +$676,541. | Proposal moveFederal grants changes -$1.6M in the latest file | UFB on-roll declinedSent placements 12%; special-education on-roll 14%; UFB on-roll movement -15%. | No high-signal row. | High levy per UFB on-rollEstimated rate 0.387 per $100; tax levy per UFB on-roll $39,048; 1 slice(s).One-time support$2.0M in fund-balance, reserve, or carryover rows; 10% of operating scale. | Open report |
| Merchantville BoroCamden County | 7One-time support | Real movementPublished comparative-cost line moved +$4,121 after inflation. | Proposed comparative cost increaseOperating -$311,825; cost line +$1,924; Capital outlay -$1.7M. | Real movementFund balance and reserves moved +$1.5M since 2019-20Other or fund-balance reliance roseLatest mix 44% local / 39% state; local shift -14 pts, state shift +5 pts. | Placement-heavy planning loadSent placements 38%; special-education on-roll 16%; UFB on-roll movement -9%. | No high-signal row. | High estimated tax rateEstimated rate 1.757 per $100; tax levy per UFB on-roll $16,276; 1 slice(s).One-time support$2.6M in fund-balance, reserve, or carryover rows; 17% of operating scale. | Open report |
| Wildwood Crest BoroCape May County | 7Cost position | High cost position$46,959; #10 NJ / #3 county; real movement +$12,903Real movementPublished comparative-cost line moved +$12,903 after inflation. | No high-signal row. | Real movementPreschool moved -$1.3M since 2019-20 | UFB on-roll declinedSent placements 23%; special-education on-roll 15%; UFB on-roll movement -33%. | High listed admin salary per UFB on-rolllisted admin base $628,773; $3,208 per UFB on-roll; highest row $150,724; components $201,350. | High levy per UFB on-rollEstimated rate 0.227 per $100; tax levy per UFB on-roll $46,194; 1 slice(s).One-time support$1.5M in fund-balance, reserve, or carryover rows; 13% of operating scale. | Open report |
| Lawnside BoroCamden County | 7One-time support | Real movementPublished comparative-cost line moved +$9,055 after inflation. | Proposed comparative cost increaseOperating +$367,697; cost line +$1,607; General current +$585,032. | Proposal moveFederal grants changes -$1.2M in the latest fileOther or fund-balance reliance roseLatest mix 35% local / 51% state; local shift -16 pts, state shift +5 pts. | Placement-heavy planning loadSent placements 44%; special-education on-roll 17%; UFB on-roll movement 5%. | No high-signal row. | One-time support$2.5M in fund-balance, reserve, or carryover rows; 17% of operating scale.High estimated tax rateEstimated rate 1.580 per $100; tax levy per UFB on-roll $14,070; 1 slice(s). | Open report |
| Cumberland Co VocationalCumberland County | 7Student/service family | No high-signal row. | Benefits drive proposed useOperating +$1.3M; cost line +$1,108; General current +$1.9M. | Proposal moveInstruction programs changes +$1.2M in the latest fileState share rose as local share fellLatest mix 13% local / 79% state; local shift -39 pts, state shift +43 pts. | UFB on-roll grewSent placements 0%; special-education on-roll 7%; UFB on-roll movement 47%. | Shared administrative roleslisted admin base $2.2M; $1,600 per UFB on-roll; highest row $206,067; components $435,718; shared rows 1. | Many shared-service arrangementsUnusual rows $817,225; shared-service rows 18; reported savings $0.One-time support$2.5M in fund-balance, reserve, or carryover rows; 8% of operating scale. | Open report |
| Hampton BoroHunterdon County | 7Outside-operating family | Real movementPublished comparative-cost line moved -$3,899 after inflation. | Proposed comparative cost decreaseOperating +$129,017; cost line -$2,057; General current +$90,974. | Real movementSpecial revenue funds moved +$1.1M since 2019-20 | UFB on-roll grewSent placements 33%; special-education on-roll 20%; UFB on-roll movement 23%. | No high-signal row. | High balance-to-budget cushion$1.3M estimated balances/reserves; 31% of operating scale; largest: Capital reserve.High estimated tax rateEstimated rate 1.904 per $100; tax levy per UFB on-roll $21,827; 1 slice(s).One-time support$298,023 in fund-balance, reserve, or carryover rows; 7% of operating scale. | Open report |
| Bradley Beach BoroMonmouth County | 7Cost position | High cost position$33,036; #27 NJ / #8 county; real movement +$8,468Real movementPublished comparative-cost line moved +$8,468 after inflation. | No high-signal row. | Proposal moveSpecial revenue funds changes -$1.0M in the latest file | High fall need and high costUFB vs fall gap -1; FRL 68%; multilingual learners 29%.Placement-heavy planning loadSent placements 45%; special-education on-roll 15%; UFB on-roll movement -32%. | High listed admin salary per UFB on-rolllisted admin base $621,428; $3,187 per UFB on-roll; highest row $167,864; components $75,654. | High levy per UFB on-rollEstimated rate 0.308 per $100; tax levy per UFB on-roll $36,880; 1 slice(s). | Open report |
| Carlstadt BoroBergen County | 7One-time support | Real movementPublished comparative-cost line moved +$5,565 after inflation. | Fund-balance proposal shiftOperating +$1.0M; cost line +$1,494; General current +$1.1M. | Proposal movePreschool changes +$956,141 in the latest fileOther or fund-balance reliance roseLatest mix 81% local / 6% state; local shift -12 pts, state shift +3 pts. | UFB on-roll declinedSent placements 13%; special-education on-roll 14%; UFB on-roll movement -13%. | No high-signal row. | Large tax base, lower rateEstimated rate 0.408 per $100; tax levy per UFB on-roll $25,620; 1 slice(s).One-time support$2.2M in fund-balance, reserve, or carryover rows; 14% of operating scale. | Open report |
| Hope TwpWarren County | 7Outside-operating family | Real movementPublished comparative-cost line moved -$2,514 after inflation. | Proposed comparative cost decreaseOperating -$178,608; cost line -$1,375; Charter transfers -$132,820. | Real movementCapital, facilities, and debt moved -$884,046 since 2019-20Local share rose as state share fellLatest mix 93% local / 7% state; local shift +19 pts, state shift -10 pts. | UFB denominator above fall enrollmentUFB vs fall gap +26; FRL 8%; multilingual learners 0%.Placement-heavy planning loadSent placements 51%; special-education on-roll 13%; UFB on-roll movement -22%. | No high-signal row. | High levy per UFB on-rollEstimated rate 1.366 per $100; tax levy per UFB on-roll $37,993; 1 slice(s). | Open report |
| Frenchtown BoroHunterdon County | 7Cost position | High cost position$32,779; #28 NJ / #2 county; real movement +$5,626Real movementPublished comparative-cost line moved +$5,626 after inflation. | Capital proposal decreaseOperating -$231,288; cost line +$1,199; Capital outlay -$305,034. | Proposal moveFund balance and reserves changes -$612,625 in the latest file | UFB on-roll declinedSent placements 2%; special-education on-roll 18%; UFB on-roll movement -18%. | No high-signal row. | High balance-to-budget cushion$1.1M estimated balances/reserves; 36% of operating scale; largest: Capital reserve.One-time support$281,026 in fund-balance, reserve, or carryover rows; 9% of operating scale. | Open report |
| Woodland TwpBurlington County | 7Cost position | High cost position$31,174; #41 NJ / #2 county; real movement +$8,317Real movementPublished comparative-cost line moved +$8,317 after inflation. | Mixed proposal movementOperating -$18,044; cost line +$1,156; Capital outlay -$40,129. | Proposal moveTransfers and tuition changes +$166,091 in the latest fileOther or fund-balance reliance roseLatest mix 79% local / 10% state; local shift +9 pts, state shift -20 pts. | No high-signal row. | No high-signal row. | High levy per UFB on-rollEstimated rate 1.247 per $100; tax levy per UFB on-roll $29,005; 1 slice(s).One-time support$362,601 in fund-balance, reserve, or carryover rows; 12% of operating scale. | Open report |
| Long Beach IslandOcean County | 7One-time support | High cost position$38,718; #15 NJ / #1 county; real movement +$2,092 | UFB denominator movesOperating +$5.3M; cost line -$982; Capital outlay +$4.7M. | Other or fund-balance reliance roseLatest mix 52% local / 6% state; local shift -21 pts, state shift -2 pts.Current scaleCapital, facilities, and debt represents 81% of operating scale | UFB denominator above fall enrollmentUFB vs fall gap +35; FRL 17%; multilingual learners 1%. | No high-signal row. | One-time support$6.3M in fund-balance, reserve, or carryover rows; 42% of operating scale.High levy per UFB on-rollEstimated rate 0.030 per $100; tax levy per UFB on-roll $35,468; 5 slice(s). | Open report |
| Bayshore Jointure CommMonmouth County | 7Current proposal change | No high-signal row. | UFB denominator movesOperating +$1.4M; cost line n/a; General current +$1.5M. | Current scaleTransfers and tuition represents 93% of operating scale | Receives many outside studentsSent placements 0%; special-education on-roll 100%; UFB on-roll movement 37%.UFB denominator above fall enrollmentUFB vs fall gap +12; FRL 22%; multilingual learners 0%. | No high-signal row. | High unusual-item scaleUnusual rows $7.8M; shared-service rows 5; reported savings $0.High balance-to-budget cushion$3.6M estimated balances/reserves; 43% of operating scale; largest: Unrestricted general operating balance.One-time support$500,000 in fund-balance, reserve, or carryover rows; 6% of operating scale. | Open report |
| Ocean County VocationalOcean County | 7Student and service load | Low cost position$13,497; #566 NJ / #28 county; real movement -$2,513Real movementPublished comparative-cost line moved -$2,513 after inflation. | Mixed proposal movementOperating +$2.4M; cost line +$871; General current +$2.1M. | Current scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 135% of operating scale | High special-education on-rollSent placements 0%; special-education on-roll 105%; UFB on-roll movement 1%.Fall enrollment above UFB denominatorUFB vs fall gap -838; FRL 35%; multilingual learners 3%. | High listed admin salary per UFB on-rolllisted admin base $1.4M; $2,352 per UFB on-roll; highest row $208,945; components $406,378. | No high-signal row. | Open report |
| Hunterdon Co VocationalHunterdon County | 7Current proposal change | Low cost position$14,577; #565 NJ / #26 county; real movement +$16 | Tax levy drives proposalOperating +$3.2M; cost line +$1,255; Capital outlay +$1.8M. | Current scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 54% of operating scale | High special-education on-rollSent placements 0%; special-education on-roll 37%; UFB on-roll movement 90%.Fall enrollment above UFB denominatorUFB vs fall gap -228; FRL 9%; multilingual learners 1%. | No high-signal row. | One-time support$1.8M in fund-balance, reserve, or carryover rows; 13% of operating scale.Falling close-year balance$1.7M estimated balances/reserves; 13% of operating scale; largest: Capital reserve. | Open report |
| Somerset Co VocationalSomerset County | 7Cost position | High cost position$32,638; #30 NJ / #1 county; real movement -$8,649Real movementPublished comparative-cost line moved -$8,649 after inflation. | Proposed comparative cost increaseOperating +$1.6M; cost line +$1,601; General current +$1.6M. | Current scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 160% of operating scale | Fall enrollment above UFB denominatorUFB vs fall gap -256; FRL 20%; multilingual learners <1%. | High listed admin salary per UFB on-rolllisted admin base $1.1M; $3,404 per UFB on-roll; highest row $212,226; components $150,667. | Tuition or placement explanationUnusual rows $1.5M; shared-service rows 7; reported savings $0. | Open report |
| Newark CityEssex County | 7Cost position | Cost comparison$26,841; #85 NJ / #1 county; real movement +$2,718Real movementPublished comparative-cost line moved +$2,718 after inflation. | No high-signal row. | Current scaleState aid represents 92% of operating scale | UFB denominator above fall enrollmentUFB vs fall gap +15,145; FRL 78%; multilingual learners 27%. | Publishes school-resource statementslisted admin base $11.8M; $202 per UFB on-roll; highest row $319,785; components $3.0M; school-resource rows $1.0B. | One-time support$109.8M in fund-balance, reserve, or carryover rows; 7% of operating scale.Large real balance growth$47.3M estimated balances/reserves; 3% of operating scale; largest: Unrestricted general operating balance. | Open report |
| Great Meadows RegionalWarren County | 7Current proposal change | Low cost position$18,051; #529 NJ / #24 county; real movement -$6,413Real movementPublished comparative-cost line moved -$6,413 after inflation. | Mixed proposal movementOperating +$3.3M; cost line +$184; Capital outlay +$3.2M. | Other or fund-balance reliance roseLatest mix 74% local / 8% state; local shift 0 pts, state shift -18 pts.Current scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 75% of operating scale | Placement-heavy planning loadSent placements 35%; special-education on-roll 15%; UFB on-roll movement 9%. | No high-signal row. | One-time support$3.9M in fund-balance, reserve, or carryover rows; 17% of operating scale. | Open report |
| Lindenwold BoroCamden County | 7One-time support | No high-signal row. | Proposed comparative cost increaseOperating +$14.1M; cost line +$2,358; General current +$9.4M. | Other or fund-balance reliance roseLatest mix 13% local / 69% state; local shift -18 pts, state shift +5 pts.Current scaleState aid represents 75% of operating scale | High multilingual learner shareUFB vs fall gap +93; FRL 76%; multilingual learners 31%. | No high-signal row. | High balance-to-budget cushion$30.5M estimated balances/reserves; 30% of operating scale; largest: Capital reserve.One-time support$19.5M in fund-balance, reserve, or carryover rows; 19% of operating scale.High estimated tax rateEstimated rate 1.482 per $100; tax levy per UFB on-roll $3,867; 1 slice(s). | Open report |
| Neptune CityMonmouth County | 7Student/service family | No high-signal row. | Proposed comparative cost increaseOperating +$979,685; cost line +$3,219; General current +$778,228. | Local share rose as state share fellLatest mix 87% local / 10% state; local shift +17 pts, state shift -11 pts.Current scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 91% of operating scale | UFB denominator above fall enrollmentUFB vs fall gap +72; FRL 49%; multilingual learners 9%.Placement-heavy planning loadSent placements 41%; special-education on-roll 16%; UFB on-roll movement 10%. | No high-signal row. | High levy per UFB on-rollEstimated rate 0.944 per $100; tax levy per UFB on-roll $31,927; 1 slice(s).One-time support$548,916 in fund-balance, reserve, or carryover rows; 5% of operating scale. | Open report |
| Riverdale BoroMorris County | 7One-time support | Real movementPublished comparative-cost line moved +$7,185 after inflation. | Proposed comparative cost increaseOperating +$1.5M; cost line +$2,108; Capital outlay +$1.2M. | Other or fund-balance reliance roseLatest mix 75% local / 6% state; local shift -13 pts, state shift +1 pt.Current scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 82% of operating scale | Placement-heavy planning loadSent placements 47%; special-education on-roll 15%; UFB on-roll movement -18%. | No high-signal row. | High levy per UFB on-rollEstimated rate 0.927 per $100; tax levy per UFB on-roll $33,802; 1 slice(s).One-time support$2.2M in fund-balance, reserve, or carryover rows; 18% of operating scale. | Open report |
| Riverside TwpBurlington County | 7Operating funding family | Real movementPublished comparative-cost line moved +$3,086 after inflation. | Proposed comparative cost increaseOperating +$2.8M; cost line +$2,029; General current +$1.8M. | Other or fund-balance reliance roseLatest mix 24% local / 65% state; local shift -19 pts, state shift +13 pts.Current scaleState aid represents 70% of operating scale | High multilingual learner shareUFB vs fall gap +67; FRL 62%; multilingual learners 26%.UFB on-roll grewSent placements 2%; special-education on-roll 17%; UFB on-roll movement 14%. | No high-signal row. | One-time support$4.7M in fund-balance, reserve, or carryover rows; 11% of operating scale. | Open report |
| Woodbridge TwpMiddlesex County | 6Operating funding family | Real movementPublished comparative-cost line moved +$2,919 after inflation. | No high-signal row. | Real movementState aid moved +$71.0M since 2019-20State share rose as local share fellLatest mix 58% local / 34% state; local shift -16 pts, state shift +18 pts. | No high-signal row. | High individual listed salarylisted admin base $3.0M; $210 per UFB on-roll; highest row $265,000; components $473,267. | Large real balance growth$70.1M estimated balances/reserves; 20% of operating scale; largest: Capital reserve.One-time support$27.8M in fund-balance, reserve, or carryover rows; 8% of operating scale. | Open report |
| Union County VocationalUnion County | 6Outside-operating family | Low cost position$17,337; #541 NJ / #20 county; real movement -$648 | Proposed comparative cost decreaseOperating -$39.7M; cost line -$3,476; Capital outlay -$32.0M. | Proposal moveCapital, facilities, and debt changes -$57.0M in the latest fileState share rose as local share fellLatest mix 47% local / 45% state; local shift -14 pts, state shift +9 pts. | No high-signal row. | No high-signal row. | High balance-to-budget cushion$47.0M estimated balances/reserves; 117% of operating scale; largest: Capital reserve.One-time support$3.4M in fund-balance, reserve, or carryover rows; 9% of operating scale. | Open report |
| Camden CityCamden County | 6Cost position | High cost position$29,260; #54 NJ / #2 county; real movement +$1,572 | Proposed comparative cost decreaseOperating -$21.5M; cost line -$3,408; School-based budgeting -$12.4M. | Real movementSpecial revenue funds moved -$51.6M since 2019-20 | UFB denominator above fall enrollmentUFB vs fall gap +9,189; FRL 76%; multilingual learners 14%. | Publishes school-resource statementslisted admin base $10.6M; $669 per UFB on-roll; highest row $230,378; components $2.4M; school-resource rows $152.2M. | One-time support$28.4M in fund-balance, reserve, or carryover rows; 7% of operating scale. | Open report |
| Linden CityUnion County | 6Operating funding family | No high-signal row. | No high-signal row. | Real movementState aid moved +$34.4M since 2019-20State share rose as local share fellLatest mix 52% local / 39% state; local shift -18 pts, state shift +15 pts. | High multilingual learner shareUFB vs fall gap +58; FRL 70%; multilingual learners 21%. | Many listed administrative roleslisted admin base $3.1M; $478 per UFB on-roll; highest row $220,068; components $425,004. | Large real balance growth$48.3M estimated balances/reserves; 27% of operating scale; largest: Capital reserve.One-time support$16.6M in fund-balance, reserve, or carryover rows; 9% of operating scale. | Open report |
| North Bergen TwpHudson County | 6Fund balance/reserve family | No high-signal row. | Capital proposal decreaseOperating -$19.3M; cost line +$1,086; Capital outlay -$24.7M. | Proposal moveFund balance and reserves changes -$34.1M in the latest file | High multilingual learner shareUFB vs fall gap +132; FRL 70%; multilingual learners 22%. | High individual listed salarylisted admin base $2.6M; $366 per UFB on-roll; highest row $291,110; components $565,970. | Large real balance growth$39.3M estimated balances/reserves; 27% of operating scale; largest: Capital reserve.One-time support$13.7M in fund-balance, reserve, or carryover rows; 9% of operating scale. | Open report |
| New Brunswick CityMiddlesex County | 6Outside-operating family | Real movementPublished comparative-cost line moved +$4,503 after inflation. | No high-signal row. | Proposal moveSpecial revenue funds changes -$33.4M in the latest file | High fall need and high costUFB vs fall gap +846; FRL 84%; multilingual learners 41%. | Publishes school-resource statementslisted admin base $5.0M; $545 per UFB on-roll; highest row $271,793; components $735,291; school-resource rows $304.9M. | Large real balance growth$37.8M estimated balances/reserves; 14% of operating scale; largest: Maintenance reserve.One-time support$30.0M in fund-balance, reserve, or carryover rows; 11% of operating scale. | Open report |
| Plainfield CityUnion County | 6Unusual and shared-service context | Real movementPublished comparative-cost line moved +$5,854 after inflation. | No high-signal row. | Proposal moveCapital, facilities, and debt changes -$27.7M in the latest file | UFB denominator above fall enrollmentUFB vs fall gap +1,927; FRL 76%; multilingual learners 44%.UFB on-roll grewSent placements 15%; special-education on-roll 11%; UFB on-roll movement 13%. | Publishes school-resource statementslisted admin base $3.1M; $274 per UFB on-roll; highest row $257,000; components $1.8M; school-resource rows $217.6M. | Many shared-service arrangementsUnusual rows $15.9M; shared-service rows 23; reported savings $0. | Open report |
| Washington TwpGloucester County | 6Outside-operating family | Real movementPublished comparative-cost line moved -$4,308 after inflation. | Fund-balance proposal shiftOperating -$5.0M; cost line -$858; General current -$5.9M. | Real movementSpecial revenue funds moved +$23.5M since 2019-20 | No high-signal row. | Many listed administrative roleslisted admin base $2.7M; $364 per UFB on-roll; highest row $220,375; components $95,090. | Many shared-service arrangementsUnusual rows $0; shared-service rows 24; reported savings $0.Lower tax base with higher rateEstimated rate 1.436 per $100; tax levy per UFB on-roll $14,074; 1 slice(s). | Open report |
| Howell TwpMonmouth County | 6Outside-operating family | Real movementPublished comparative-cost line moved -$2,882 after inflation. | No high-signal row. | Real movementSpecial revenue funds moved +$22.4M since 2019-20 | No high-signal row. | Shared administrative roleslisted admin base $3.2M; $520 per UFB on-roll; highest row $276,075; components $640,657; shared rows 2. | Many shared-service arrangementsUnusual rows $0; shared-service rows 20; reported savings $0.One-time support$18.0M in fund-balance, reserve, or carryover rows; 13% of operating scale.Large real balance growth$17.0M estimated balances/reserves; 12% of operating scale; largest: Capital reserve. | Open report |
| Pennsauken TwpCamden County | 6One-time support | No high-signal row. | Proposed comparative cost increaseOperating -$893,971; cost line +$1,791; Capital outlay -$10.5M. | Proposal moveCapital, facilities, and debt changes -$21.6M in the latest fileOther or fund-balance reliance roseLatest mix 27% local / 58% state; local shift -11 pts, state shift +8 pts. | UFB denominator above fall enrollmentUFB vs fall gap +878; FRL 76%; multilingual learners 12%. | No high-signal row. | One-time support$24.7M in fund-balance, reserve, or carryover rows; 15% of operating scale.Large real balance growth$23.2M estimated balances/reserves; 14% of operating scale; largest: Capital reserve. | Open report |
| Irvington TownshipEssex County | 6One-time support | No high-signal row. | State revenue drives proposalOperating +$7.3M; cost line +$1,168; Capital outlay -$16.0M. | Proposal moveOther named rows changes -$18.5M in the latest file | UFB denominator above fall enrollmentUFB vs fall gap +2,180; FRL 68%; multilingual learners 42%.UFB on-roll grewSent placements 6%; special-education on-roll 9%; UFB on-roll movement 24%. | Publishes school-resource statementslisted admin base $3.5M; $346 per UFB on-roll; highest row $240,765; components $45,070; school-resource rows $198.4M. | One-time support$33.7M in fund-balance, reserve, or carryover rows; 15% of operating scale. | Open report |
| Clifton CityPassaic County | 6Funding model shift | Real movementPublished comparative-cost line moved +$3,977 after inflation. | Benefits drive proposed useOperating +$5.7M; cost line +$1,435; General current +$13.6M. | Proposal moveCapital, facilities, and debt changes -$17.9M in the latest fileState share rose as local share fellLatest mix 57% local / 40% state; local shift -15 pts, state shift +18 pts. | No high-signal row. | High individual listed salarylisted admin base $4.2M; $357 per UFB on-roll; highest row $264,996; components $1.1M. | Summary levy differs from esttax total levyEstimated rate 1.066 per $100; tax levy per UFB on-roll $13,106; 1 slice(s). | Open report |
| Mercer County VocationalMercer County | 6Current proposal change | No high-signal row. | Proposed comparative cost increaseOperating -$7.0M; cost line +$3,753; Capital outlay -$8.0M. | Proposal moveCapital, facilities, and debt changes -$15.7M in the latest fileState share rose as local share fellLatest mix 65% local / 32% state; local shift -12 pts, state shift +15 pts. | High special-education on-rollSent placements 0%; special-education on-roll 62%; UFB on-roll movement 64%.Fall enrollment above UFB denominatorUFB vs fall gap -370; FRL 51%; multilingual learners 3%. | Shared administrative roleslisted admin base $1.2M; $2,590 per UFB on-roll; highest row $210,000; components $167,866; shared rows 4. | No high-signal row. | Open report |
| Egg Harbor TwpAtlantic County | 6Student/service family | No high-signal row. | Mixed proposal movementOperating -$3.3M; cost line +$1,172; Capital outlay -$7.0M. | Proposal moveCapital, facilities, and debt changes -$14.0M in the latest fileState share rose as local share fellLatest mix 47% local / 48% state; local shift -13 pts, state shift +12 pts. | No high-signal row. | Many listed administrative roleslisted admin base $3.1M; $433 per UFB on-roll; highest row $233,765; components $609,654. | Summary levy differs from esttax total levyEstimated rate 1.416 per $100; tax levy per UFB on-roll $11,469; 1 slice(s).One-time support$9.0M in fund-balance, reserve, or carryover rows; 5% of operating scale. | Open report |
| Pleasantville CityAtlantic County | 6One-time support | No high-signal row. | Proposed comparative cost increaseOperating +$8.7M; cost line +$1,791; General current +$5.5M. | Real movementFund balance and reserves moved +$13.6M since 2019-20Other or fund-balance reliance roseLatest mix 10% local / 77% state; local shift -3 pts, state shift -9 pts. | High fall need and high costUFB vs fall gap +441; FRL 76%; multilingual learners 25%. | Publishes school-resource statementslisted admin base $2.0M; $512 per UFB on-roll; highest row $200,000; components $256,958; school-resource rows $112.7M. | One-time support$15.6M in fund-balance, reserve, or carryover rows; 14% of operating scale. | Open report |
| Hackensack CityBergen County | 6Operating funding family | No high-signal row. | Mixed proposal movementOperating +$3.1M; cost line +$753; General current +$5.4M. | Proposal moveFederal grants changes -$12.7M in the latest fileState share rose as local share fellLatest mix 66% local / 28% state; local shift -10 pts, state shift +9 pts. | High multilingual learner shareUFB vs fall gap +506; FRL 60%; multilingual learners 23%. | High individual listed salarylisted admin base $3.6M; $623 per UFB on-roll; highest row $269,575; components $634,971. | One-time support$10.3M in fund-balance, reserve, or carryover rows; 7% of operating scale. | Open report |
| Bergen Co Special ServiceBergen County | 6Cost position | High cost position$103,100; #1 NJ / #1 county; real movement -$16,625Real movementPublished comparative-cost line moved -$16,625 after inflation. | Proposed comparative cost increaseOperating -$2.1M; cost line +$2,357; Capital outlay -$3.4M. | Real movementState aid moved +$12.3M since 2019-20 | High special-education on-rollSent placements 0%; special-education on-roll 101%; UFB on-roll movement 5%. | Shared administrative roleslisted admin base $1.9M; $3,305 per UFB on-roll; highest row $239,044; components $308,100; shared rows 7. | No high-signal row. | Open report |
| Passaic County VocationalPassaic County | 6Operating funding family | No high-signal row. | Proposed comparative cost increaseOperating +$7.0M; cost line +$2,257; General current +$8.7M. | Proposal moveOther named rows changes -$11.2M in the latest fileState share rose as local share fellLatest mix 39% local / 48% state; local shift -23 pts, state shift +15 pts. | UFB on-roll grewSent placements 0%; special-education on-roll 10%; UFB on-roll movement 17%. | High individual listed salarylisted admin base $5.2M; $1,094 per UFB on-roll; highest row $257,625; components $570,034. | One-time support$18.6M in fund-balance, reserve, or carryover rows; 13% of operating scale. | Open report |
| Camden County VocationalCamden County | 6Operating funding family | Real movementPublished comparative-cost line moved -$3,790 after inflation. | Proposed comparative cost decreaseOperating -$4.9M; cost line -$1,608; Plant operations -$4.8M. | Real movementLocal taxes and local sources moved +$8.6M since 2019-20Other or fund-balance reliance roseLatest mix 26% local / 63% state; local shift -13 pts, state shift +11 pts. | No high-signal row. | No high-signal row. | Many shared-service arrangementsUnusual rows $0; shared-service rows 16; reported savings $0.One-time support$5.8M in fund-balance, reserve, or carryover rows; 11% of operating scale. | Open report |
| Essex Co Voc-TechEssex County | 6One-time support | No high-signal row. | Mixed proposal movementOperating +$2.1M; cost line -$1,085; General current +$2.1M. | Proposal moveFederal grants changes -$8.3M in the latest fileOther or fund-balance reliance roseLatest mix 31% local / 47% state; local shift -10 pts, state shift 0 pts. | High special-education on-rollSent placements 0%; special-education on-roll 116%; UFB on-roll movement -8%.High fall need and high costUFB vs fall gap -164; FRL 74%; multilingual learners 9%. | No high-signal row. | One-time support$14.5M in fund-balance, reserve, or carryover rows; 22% of operating scale. | Open report |
| Lodi BoroughBergen County | 6Outside-operating family | Real movementPublished comparative-cost line moved +$2,955 after inflation. | Mixed proposal movementOperating -$3.7M; cost line +$1,006; Capital outlay -$5.4M. | Proposal moveCapital, facilities, and debt changes -$8.2M in the latest fileState share rose as local share fellLatest mix 45% local / 49% state; local shift -17 pts, state shift +15 pts. | No high-signal row. | No high-signal row. | Large real balance growth$16.4M estimated balances/reserves; 19% of operating scale; largest: Capital reserve.One-time support$5.2M in fund-balance, reserve, or carryover rows; 6% of operating scale. | Open report |
| Manville BoroSomerset County | 6Outside-operating family | Real movementPublished comparative-cost line moved +$7,582 after inflation. | Proposed comparative cost increaseOperating -$744,187; cost line +$1,740; Capital outlay -$4.2M. | Proposal moveCapital, facilities, and debt changes -$7.3M in the latest fileState share rose as local share fellLatest mix 35% local / 60% state; local shift -25 pts, state shift +21 pts. | No high-signal row. | Many listed administrative roleslisted admin base $2.6M; $1,607 per UFB on-roll; highest row $180,405; components $763,382. | One-time support$2.8M in fund-balance, reserve, or carryover rows; 6% of operating scale. | Open report |
| Lower Cape May RegionalCape May County | 6Outside-operating family | No high-signal row. | No high-signal row. | Proposal moveCapital, facilities, and debt changes -$6.7M in the latest fileLocal share rose as state share fellLatest mix 78% local / 13% state; local shift +13 pts, state shift -12 pts. | UFB on-roll declinedSent placements 6%; special-education on-roll 21%; UFB on-roll movement -17%. | No high-signal row. | Many shared-service arrangementsUnusual rows $0; shared-service rows 24; reported savings $0.Large tax base, lower rateEstimated rate 0.186 per $100; tax levy per UFB on-roll $22,938; 3 slice(s).One-time support$2.7M in fund-balance, reserve, or carryover rows; 8% of operating scale. | Open report |
| Woodbury CityGloucester County | 6One-time support | No high-signal row. | Proposed comparative cost increaseOperating +$4.8M; cost line +$1,559; Capital outlay +$3.8M. | Proposal moveFederal grants changes -$6.6M in the latest fileOther or fund-balance reliance roseLatest mix 25% local / 54% state; local shift -19 pts, state shift +7 pts. | No high-signal row. | No high-signal row. | One-time support$11.4M in fund-balance, reserve, or carryover rows; 22% of operating scale.Large real balance growth$9.5M estimated balances/reserves; 18% of operating scale; largest: Capital reserve.High estimated tax rateEstimated rate 1.486 per $100; tax levy per UFB on-roll $7,747; 1 slice(s). | Open report |
| Burlington CityBurlington County | 6Operating funding family | No high-signal row. | Proposed comparative cost increaseOperating +$3.5M; cost line +$1,701; General current +$3.1M. | Proposal moveSpecial revenue funds changes -$6.5M in the latest file | UFB on-roll grewSent placements 3%; special-education on-roll 20%; UFB on-roll movement 13%. | Publishes school-resource statementslisted admin base $1.2M; $650 per UFB on-roll; highest row $248,000; components $313,751; school-resource rows $55.2M. | High estimated tax rateEstimated rate 1.595 per $100; tax levy per UFB on-roll $7,950; 1 slice(s).One-time support$7.5M in fund-balance, reserve, or carryover rows; 14% of operating scale. | Open report |
| Ramsey BoroBergen County | 6Cost position | High cost position$29,853; #49 NJ / #9 county; real movement +$2,810Real movementPublished comparative-cost line moved +$2,810 after inflation. | No high-signal row. | Proposal moveFund balance and reserves changes -$6.4M in the latest file | UFB on-roll declinedSent placements 1%; special-education on-roll 14%; UFB on-roll movement -16%. | No high-signal row. | High levy per UFB on-rollEstimated rate 1.394 per $100; tax levy per UFB on-roll $29,504; 1 slice(s).Facilities reserve heavy$15.0M estimated balances/reserves; 20% of operating scale; largest: Capital reserve. | Open report |
| Rumson-Fair Haven RegMonmouth County | 6Fund balance/reserve family | Real movementPublished comparative-cost line moved +$4,660 after inflation. | No high-signal row. | Real movementFund balance and reserves moved +$5.6M since 2019-20 | UFB on-roll declinedSent placements 1%; special-education on-roll 19%; UFB on-roll movement -22%. | Shared administrative roleslisted admin base $1.3M; $1,609 per UFB on-roll; highest row $195,000; components $123,599; shared rows 1. | Large tax base, lower rateEstimated rate 0.268 per $100; tax levy per UFB on-roll $27,892; 2 slice(s).One-time support$3.9M in fund-balance, reserve, or carryover rows; 14% of operating scale. | Open report |
| Lumberton TwpBurlington County | 6Outside-operating family | Real movementPublished comparative-cost line moved -$3,261 after inflation. | No high-signal row. | Real movementSpecial revenue funds moved +$5.6M since 2019-20Local share rose as state share fellLatest mix 76% local / 16% state; local shift +16 pts, state shift -15 pts. | UFB on-roll grewSent placements 2%; special-education on-roll 20%; UFB on-roll movement 14%. | No high-signal row. | Many shared-service arrangementsUnusual rows $0; shared-service rows 18; reported savings $0.One-time support$3.0M in fund-balance, reserve, or carryover rows; 11% of operating scale. | Open report |
| Haledon BoroPassaic County | 6One-time support | Real movementPublished comparative-cost line moved +$3,466 after inflation. | Benefits drive proposed useOperating +$1.4M; cost line +$1,112; General current +$1.0M. | Real movementCapital, facilities, and debt moved +$5.5M since 2019-20Other or fund-balance reliance roseLatest mix 28% local / 55% state; local shift -16 pts, state shift 0 pts. | No high-signal row. | No high-signal row. | High unusual-item scaleUnusual rows $31.7M; shared-service rows 15; reported savings $345,548.One-time support$4.6M in fund-balance, reserve, or carryover rows; 18% of operating scale. | Open report |
| Milltown BoroMiddlesex County | 6Operating funding family | Real movementPublished comparative-cost line moved +$7,583 after inflation. | No high-signal row. | Real movementState aid moved +$5.2M since 2019-20State share rose as local share fellLatest mix 65% local / 25% state; local shift -19 pts, state shift +16 pts. | Placement-heavy planning loadSent placements 40%; special-education on-roll 13%; UFB on-roll movement -31%. | No high-signal row. | High estimated tax rateEstimated rate 1.542 per $100; tax levy per UFB on-roll $22,514; 1 slice(s).One-time support$2.9M in fund-balance, reserve, or carryover rows; 10% of operating scale. | Open report |
| Wildwood CityCape May County | 6Operating funding family | No high-signal row. | Mixed proposal movementOperating -$834,278; cost line +$1,268; Capital outlay -$983,958. | Real movementState aid moved -$4.8M since 2019-20Other or fund-balance reliance roseLatest mix 83% local / 6% state; local shift +14 pts, state shift -19 pts. | High fall need and high costUFB vs fall gap -12; FRL 83%; multilingual learners 26%.UFB on-roll declinedSent placements 7%; special-education on-roll 19%; UFB on-roll movement -17%. | No high-signal row. | One-time support$2.4M in fund-balance, reserve, or carryover rows; 11% of operating scale. | Open report |
| Bloomingdale BoroPassaic County | 6Outside-operating family | Real movementPublished comparative-cost line moved -$4,507 after inflation. | Benefits drive proposed useOperating +$1.1M; cost line +$1,218; Benefits +$1.0M. | Real movementSpecial revenue funds moved +$4.6M since 2019-20 | UFB on-roll grewSent placements 31%; special-education on-roll 15%; UFB on-roll movement 31%. | No high-signal row. | High estimated tax rateEstimated rate 1.549 per $100; tax levy per UFB on-roll $26,793; 1 slice(s).One-time support$2.5M in fund-balance, reserve, or carryover rows; 10% of operating scale. | Open report |
| Mine Hill TwpMorris County | 6Current proposal change | No high-signal row. | UFB denominator movesOperating +$2.7M; cost line -$1,140; Capital outlay +$2.2M. | Proposal moveFund balance and reserves changes +$4.4M in the latest file | Placement-heavy planning loadSent placements 38%; special-education on-roll 10%; UFB on-roll movement 6%. | No high-signal row. | High balance-to-budget cushion$4.8M estimated balances/reserves; 32% of operating scale; largest: Capital reserve.One-time support$2.8M in fund-balance, reserve, or carryover rows; 18% of operating scale.High estimated tax rateEstimated rate 1.651 per $100; tax levy per UFB on-roll $17,844; 1 slice(s). | Open report |
| Northern Burlington RegBurlington County | 6Student/service family | No high-signal row. | No high-signal row. | Proposal moveCapital, facilities, and debt changes -$4.3M in the latest fileState share rose as local share fellLatest mix 46% local / 48% state; local shift -10 pts, state shift +12 pts. | No high-signal row. | Shared administrative roleslisted admin base $1.6M; $776 per UFB on-roll; highest row $215,378; components $471,140; shared rows 5. | Many shared-service arrangementsUnusual rows $0; shared-service rows 15; reported savings $0.High balance-to-budget cushion$25.2M estimated balances/reserves; 48% of operating scale; largest: Capital reserve.Summary levy differs from esttax total levyEstimated rate 0.658 per $100; tax levy per UFB on-roll $11,265; 4 slice(s). | Open report |
| Wharton BoroMorris County | 6Outside-operating family | Real movementPublished comparative-cost line moved +$2,999 after inflation. | No high-signal row. | Real movementCapital, facilities, and debt moved +$4.1M since 2019-20State share rose as local share fellLatest mix 45% local / 41% state; local shift -18 pts, state shift +9 pts. | High multilingual learner shareUFB vs fall gap -78; FRL 49%; multilingual learners 27%. | No high-signal row. | High balance-to-budget cushion$8.8M estimated balances/reserves; 38% of operating scale; largest: Capital reserve.One-time support$3.1M in fund-balance, reserve, or carryover rows; 13% of operating scale. | Open report |
| Washington BoroWarren County | 6Current proposal change | No high-signal row. | Proposed comparative cost decreaseOperating -$2.5M; cost line -$3,642; Capital outlay -$2.0M. | Proposal moveCapital, facilities, and debt changes -$4.0M in the latest fileState share rose as local share fellLatest mix 45% local / 48% state; local shift -14 pts, state shift +13 pts. | UFB denominator above fall enrollmentUFB vs fall gap +102; FRL 47%; multilingual learners 8%.UFB on-roll grewSent placements 1%; special-education on-roll 14%; UFB on-roll movement 24%. | No high-signal row. | One-time support$902,585 in fund-balance, reserve, or carryover rows; 7% of operating scale. | Open report |
| Ocean TwpOcean County | 6Outside-operating family | Real movementPublished comparative-cost line moved -$3,659 after inflation. | No high-signal row. | Real movementSpecial revenue funds moved +$3.8M since 2019-20Local share rose as state share fellLatest mix 78% local / 10% state; local shift +16 pts, state shift -21 pts. | Placement-heavy planning loadSent placements 73%; special-education on-roll 21%; UFB on-roll movement 5%. | No high-signal row. | High levy per UFB on-rollEstimated rate 0.710 per $100; tax levy per UFB on-roll $28,614; 1 slice(s).One-time support$2.7M in fund-balance, reserve, or carryover rows; 13% of operating scale. | Open report |
| Andover RegSussex County | 6Outside-operating family | High cost position$28,925; #57 NJ / #3 county; real movement +$314 | Proposed comparative cost increaseOperating +$1.2M; cost line +$3,428; General current +$2.6M. | Real movementCapital, facilities, and debt moved -$3.8M since 2019-20 | Placement-heavy planning loadSent placements 42%; special-education on-roll 19%; UFB on-roll movement 8%. | No high-signal row. | High estimated tax rateEstimated rate 1.526 per $100; tax levy per UFB on-roll $33,932; 2 slice(s).One-time support$2.6M in fund-balance, reserve, or carryover rows; 12% of operating scale. | Open report |
| North Hanover TwpBurlington County | 6Balances and reserves | Real movementPublished comparative-cost line moved -$2,901 after inflation. | No high-signal row. | Proposal moveCapital, facilities, and debt changes -$3.7M in the latest fileFederal operating share fellLatest mix 12% local / 62% state; local shift -3 pts, state shift +9 pts. | UFB on-roll grewSent placements 2%; special-education on-roll 15%; UFB on-roll movement 28%. | No high-signal row. | High balance-to-budget cushion$50.1M estimated balances/reserves; 144% of operating scale; largest: Impact aid reserve.Many shared-service arrangementsUnusual rows $541,295; shared-service rows 23; reported savings $0. | Open report |
| Green Brook TwpSomerset County | 6Student/service family | Real movementPublished comparative-cost line moved +$2,918 after inflation. | Mixed proposal movementOperating +$1.2M; cost line +$1,345; General current +$1.2M. | Real movementFund balance and reserves moved +$3.4M since 2019-20 | Placement-heavy planning loadSent placements 52%; special-education on-roll 13%; UFB on-roll movement -8%. | No high-signal row. | High levy per UFB on-rollEstimated rate 1.470 per $100; tax levy per UFB on-roll $36,380; 1 slice(s).One-time support$2.2M in fund-balance, reserve, or carryover rows; 7% of operating scale. | Open report |
| Cape May Co Special ServCape May County | 6Cost position | High cost position$62,303; #6 NJ / #1 county; real movement -$8,387Real movementPublished comparative-cost line moved -$8,387 after inflation. | Proposed comparative cost increaseOperating +$870,888; cost line +$3,221; General current +$877,605. | Real movementLocal taxes and local sources moved +$3.3M since 2019-20 | High homelessness shareUFB vs fall gap +4; FRL 28%; multilingual learners 0%.High special-education on-rollSent placements 0%; special-education on-roll 101%; UFB on-roll movement 4%. | No high-signal row. | No high-signal row. | Open report |
| Salem Co Special ServiceSalem County | 6Cost position | High cost position$63,018; #5 NJ / #1 county; real movement +$1,857 | Proposed comparative cost decreaseOperating +$347,341; cost line -$18,817; General current +$429,841. | Real movementOther named rows moved +$3.0M since 2019-20 | UFB denominator above fall enrollmentUFB vs fall gap +30; FRL 28%; multilingual learners 1%.High special-education on-rollSent placements 0%; special-education on-roll 100%; UFB on-roll movement -14%. | No high-signal row. | High balance-to-budget cushion$4.0M estimated balances/reserves; 39% of operating scale; largest: Unrestricted general operating balance. | Open report |
| Lopatcong TwpWarren County | 6Student and service load | Real movementPublished comparative-cost line moved +$3,875 after inflation. | Proposed comparative cost increaseOperating +$1.4M; cost line +$1,807; General current +$1.2M. | Real movementSpecial revenue funds moved +$3.0M since 2019-20Other or fund-balance reliance roseLatest mix 67% local / 19% state; local shift -9 pts, state shift -1 pt. | Placement-heavy planning loadSent placements 59%; special-education on-roll 12%; UFB on-roll movement -6%. | No high-signal row. | One-time support$2.6M in fund-balance, reserve, or carryover rows; 11% of operating scale. | Open report |
| Mansfield TwpBurlington County | 6Current proposal change | Real movementPublished comparative-cost line moved -$6,072 after inflation. | Proposed comparative cost decreaseOperating +$416,760; cost line -$4,150; General current +$414,368. | Real movementCapital, facilities, and debt moved -$2.6M since 2019-20 | UFB denominator above fall enrollmentUFB vs fall gap +136; FRL 10%; multilingual learners 2%.UFB on-roll grewSent placements 1%; special-education on-roll 14%; UFB on-roll movement 22%. | No high-signal row. | One-time support$1.4M in fund-balance, reserve, or carryover rows; 9% of operating scale. | Open report |
| Upper Pittsgrove TwpSalem County | 6Student/service family | Low cost position$17,588; #536 NJ / #12 county; real movement -$4,172Real movementPublished comparative-cost line moved -$4,172 after inflation. | Proposed comparative cost decreaseOperating +$20,134; cost line -$1,760; Benefits +$260,287. | Real movementPreschool moved +$2.6M since 2019-20 | UFB on-roll grewSent placements 24%; special-education on-roll 12%; UFB on-roll movement 31%. | No high-signal row. | One-time support$650,618 in fund-balance, reserve, or carryover rows; 8% of operating scale. | Open report |
| Egg Harbor CityAtlantic County | 6Outside-operating family | Real movementPublished comparative-cost line moved +$5,005 after inflation. | Proposed comparative cost increaseOperating +$1.8M; cost line +$1,992; General current +$1.2M. | Proposal moveSpecial revenue funds changes -$2.4M in the latest fileOther or fund-balance reliance roseLatest mix 19% local / 66% state; local shift -11 pts, state shift +3 pts. | High homelessness shareUFB vs fall gap +42; FRL 77%; multilingual learners 4%. | No high-signal row. | One-time support$2.3M in fund-balance, reserve, or carryover rows; 15% of operating scale. | Open report |
| New Hanover TwpBurlington County | 6Current proposal change | Real movementPublished comparative-cost line moved -$9,008 after inflation. | Proposed comparative cost decreaseOperating +$276,135; cost line -$3,056; General current +$443,685. | Real movementPreschool moved +$2.0M since 2019-20 | UFB on-roll grewSent placements 13%; special-education on-roll 8%; UFB on-roll movement 50%. | No high-signal row. | Falling close-year balance$1.7M estimated balances/reserves; 27% of operating scale; largest: Impact aid reserve.One-time support$607,794 in fund-balance, reserve, or carryover rows; 10% of operating scale. | Open report |
The matrix shows the highest-signal district rows, not every district. It is a triage layer for deciding which proof section to open first; signal count is not a rating and does not imply causality.
County lead map
County peers remain the first fair comparison for many district questions. This map shows each county's strongest generated district lead and the most common first-read families inside the county.
| County | Rows | Strongest lead | Common first reads | Mean cost / range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atlantic | 26 | Atlantic CityOne-time support | Student/service family (8); One-time support (4); Cost position (4) | $25,066range $32,261 |
| Bergen | 77 | Old Tappan BoroOne-time support | Outside-operating family (21); Student/service family (20); Cost position (9) | $24,524range $85,974 |
| Burlington | 41 | Burlington Co Spec ServCost position | Operating funding family (13); Outside-operating family (10); Current proposal change (6) | $22,351range $63,746 |
| Camden | 39 | Woodlynne BoroOne-time support | Outside-operating family (11); One-time support (9); Student/service family (6) | $21,495range $13,814 |
| Cape May | 19 | Cape May CityOne-time support | Cost position (5); Outside-operating family (5); Operating funding family (4) | $30,573range $45,003 |
| Cumberland | 14 | Greenwich-Stow Creek RegionalOne-time support | Student/service family (6); One-time support (3); Outside-operating family (2) | $20,844range $7,875 |
| Essex | 23 | Essex Co Voc-TechOne-time support | Outside-operating family (6); Operating funding family (6); One-time support (3) | $21,916range $9,667 |
| Gloucester | 29 | Woodbury CityOne-time support | Outside-operating family (9); Student/service family (9); One-time support (4) | $21,539range $48,485 |
| Hudson | 13 | Jersey CityOne-time support | Operating funding family (5); One-time support (2); Spending/category family (2) | $22,163range $9,608 |
| Hunterdon | 27 | Bloomsbury BoroCurrent proposal change | Outside-operating family (13); Cost position (4); Student/service family (4) | $25,764range $21,518 |
| Mercer | 11 | Mercer Co Special Services School DistrictCost position | Operating funding family (5); Outside-operating family (3); Cost position (1) | $28,786range $77,010 |
| Middlesex | 25 | Perth Amboy CityFund balance/reserve family | Operating funding family (11); Outside-operating family (4); One-time support (3) | $21,088range $16,388 |
| Monmouth | 55 | Loch Arbour School DistrictOne-time support | Student/service family (17); Outside-operating family (10); One-time support (6) | $25,606range $25,064 |
| Morris | 40 | Chester TwpCurrent proposal change | Student/service family (23); Outside-operating family (5); Operating funding family (3) | $23,638range $16,377 |
| Ocean | 29 | Long Beach IslandOne-time support | Outside-operating family (7); Student/service family (6); Operating funding family (4) | $22,807range $25,221 |
| Passaic | 21 | Totowa BoroOne-time support | Outside-operating family (7); Operating funding family (4); Unusual and shared-service context (3) | $22,541range $8,228 |
| Salem | 14 | Elsinboro TwpOne-time support | One-time support (4); Student/service family (4); Operating funding family (2) | $23,377range $46,616 |
| Somerset | 19 | Hillsborough TwpOutside-operating family | Operating funding family (4); Outside-operating family (3); Cost position (2) | $24,879range $13,441 |
| Sussex | 26 | Sandyston-Walpack TwpCurrent proposal change | Outside-operating family (12); Operating funding family (5); Current proposal change (4) | $23,908range $13,368 |
| Union | 23 | Linden CityOperating funding family | Outside-operating family (9); Operating funding family (3); Current proposal change (3) | $20,724range $12,855 |
| Warren | 24 | Warren Co Special ServiceCost position | Student/service family (9); Operating funding family (6); Outside-operating family (4) | $22,706range $31,949 |
All district first reads
Use browser find for a district name. The first-read column is the generated starting question; the cost and model columns keep comparison context visible, explanation signals show category scale, county gap, real movement, and proposal movement, the proposal column keeps the current-file read separate from the longer trend, and the reporting move turns the read into records, checks, and blocked shortcuts.
| District | Story route | First read | Cost position | Model signals | Explanation signals | Current proposal | Reporting move | Open |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Absecon CityAtlantic County | Test one-time supportIs the budget leaning on fund balance, reserve withdrawals, or carryover that must be checked for recurrence? | One-time supportIs the budget using fund balance, reserve, or carryover support that needs a recurrence check? | $22,157#275 NJ / #13 county; real +$3,634 | Placement load; One-time support; Outside-operating scale51% local / 29% state; 5% transfers; 11% placement load | Current scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 52% of operating scalePeer gapFund balance and reserves sits +19 pts vs county average | Mixed proposal movementOperating +$3.5M; cost line +$554; Capital outlay +$3.0M | Pull Fund-balance appropriation notes, reserve withdrawal rows, board minutes, and audit or ACFR schedules.Ask whether the source recurs, replaces aid or levy, bridges a one-year plan, or draws restricted reserves.Block Do not call planned source rows audited cash stress or recurring operating revenue. | Open report |
| Atlantic CityAtlantic County | Test one-time supportIs the budget leaning on fund balance, reserve withdrawals, or carryover that must be checked for recurrence? | One-time supportIs the budget using fund balance, reserve, or carryover support that needs a recurrence check? | $29,276#53 NJ / #5 county; real +$4,464 | High comparative cost; Rising real cost; One-time support26% local / 47% state; 4% transfers; 4% placement load | Proposal moveFederal grants changes -$42.6M in the latest fileCurrent scaleCapital, facilities, and debt represents 61% of operating scale | Mixed proposal movementOperating +$15.6M; cost line +$986; Capital outlay +$11.6M | Pull Fund-balance appropriation notes, reserve withdrawal rows, board minutes, and audit or ACFR schedules.Ask whether the source recurs, replaces aid or levy, bridges a one-year plan, or draws restricted reserves.Block Do not call planned source rows audited cash stress or recurring operating revenue. | Open report |
| Atlantic Co Special ServAtlantic County | Compare cost positionIs the district expensive, or just in a high-cost peer group? | Cost positionWhy does this district sit high on the published comparative-cost line? | $50,249#8 NJ / #1 county; real -$24,004 | High comparative cost; Locally funded; One-time support92% local / n/a state; 0% transfers; 0% placement load | Current scaleTransfers and tuition represents 78% of operating scale | Mixed proposal movementOperating +$1.4M; cost line +$679; General current +$1.2M | Pull Budget presentation, adopted budget book, staffing/program notes, and local peer reports.Ask whether county, scale, grade span, placements, transfers, or side files explain the rank.Block Do not turn comparative cost into waste, quality, or adequacy by itself. | Open report |
| Atlantic Co VocationalAtlantic County | Check students and service loadIs a per-student comparison really about denominator, placements, or student need? | Student/service familyDo charter/Renaissance transfers, tuition, or purchased placements change the budget story? | $17,988#532 NJ / #24 county; real -$2,259 | One-time support; Side-file context30% local / 55% state; 0% transfers; 0% placement load | Real movementTransfers and tuition moved -$12.1M since 2019-20Current scaleState aid represents 55% of operating scalePeer gapLocal taxes and local sources sits -31 pts vs county average | UFB denominator movesOperating +$3.1M; cost line -$68; General current +$3.0M | Pull Tuition and placement schedules, preschool aid records, service-load rows, contracts, and source-row proof sections.Ask whether transfers, tuition, preschool, or special-education/support rows explain the comparison frame.Block Do not treat source-family rows as audited service counts, quality, adequacy, or a complete program ledger. | Open report |
| Brigantine CityAtlantic County | Compare cost positionIs the district expensive, or just in a high-cost peer group? | Cost positionWhy does this district sit high on the published comparative-cost line? | $41,613#13 NJ / #2 county; real +$8,251 | High comparative cost; Rising real cost; Locally funded88% local / 4% state; 3% transfers; 7% placement load | Proposal moveCapital, facilities, and debt changes -$1.0M in the latest fileCurrent scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 88% of operating scale | Mixed proposal movementOperating -$293,483; cost line +$973; Capital outlay -$483,050 | Pull Budget presentation, adopted budget book, staffing/program notes, and local peer reports.Ask whether county, scale, grade span, placements, transfers, or side files explain the rank.Block Do not turn comparative cost into waste, quality, or adequacy by itself. | Open report |
| Buena RegionalAtlantic County | Follow operating fundingDid the budget move toward local levy, state aid, federal revenue, or fund balance? | Operating funding familyWhich federal rows are large, concentrated, or fading after pandemic-era aid? | $21,061#356 NJ / #16 county; real -$1,670 | Placement load; Side-file context46% local / 50% state; <1% transfers; 5% placement load | Proposal moveFederal grants changes -$14.7M in the latest fileReal movementPreschool moved +$5.1M since 2019-20Current scaleState aid represents 60% of operating scale | Proposed comparative cost decreaseOperating -$581,825; cost line -$1,632; Capital outlay -$388,865 | Pull State-aid notices, levy worksheet, fund-balance notes, source-row proof sections, and tax-impact materials.Ask whether the source-family signal is a current revenue scale issue, a peer gap, a real movement, or a proposal-column move.Block Do not read General Fund operating source rows as all-funds revenue, taxpayer burden, or proof of cause without local records. | Open report |
| Corbin CityAtlantic County | Follow operating fundingDid the budget move toward local levy, state aid, federal revenue, or fund balance? | Operating funding familyWhich aid lines explain dependence on state funding or first-to-latest movement? | n/an/a NJ / n/a county; real n/a | Side-file context51% local / 38% state; 0% transfers; n/a placement load | Real movementState aid moved -$355,144 since 2019-20Current scaleTransfers and tuition represents 85% of operating scale | Mixed proposal movementOperating +$5,298; cost line n/a; Transportation -$23,073 | Pull State-aid notices, levy worksheet, fund-balance notes, source-row proof sections, and tax-impact materials.Ask whether the source-family signal is a current revenue scale issue, a peer gap, a real movement, or a proposal-column move.Block Do not read General Fund operating source rows as all-funds revenue, taxpayer burden, or proof of cause without local records. | Open report |
| Egg Harbor CityAtlantic County | Separate outside-operating moneyIs the story about grants, special revenue, capital, facilities, or debt rather than recurring operating spending? | Outside-operating familyHow large are grant-funded or otherwise outside-operating programs relative to operating budgets? | $24,471#159 NJ / #8 county; real +$5,005 | Rising real cost; One-time support; Outside-operating scale19% local / 66% state; 3% transfers; 2% placement load | Proposal moveSpecial revenue funds changes -$2.4M in the latest fileCurrent scaleState aid represents 74% of operating scale | Proposed comparative cost increaseOperating +$1.8M; cost line +$1,992; General current +$1.2M | Pull Grant schedules, capital/debt schedules, line-item budget, source-row proof sections, and project or bond records.Ask whether the signal belongs to grants, capital, facilities, or debt before reading it as recurring operating spending.Block Do not add outside-operating source-family rows into one operating total or treat them as ordinary classroom spending. | Open report |
| Egg Harbor TwpAtlantic County | Check students and service loadIs a per-student comparison really about denominator, placements, or student need? | Student/service familyDo charter/Renaissance transfers, tuition, or purchased placements change the budget story? | $22,714#246 NJ / #11 county; real +$2,325 | One-time support; Side-file context47% local / 48% state; 1% transfers; 2% placement load | Proposal moveCapital, facilities, and debt changes -$14.0M in the latest fileCurrent scaleState aid represents 55% of operating scalePeer gapTransfers and tuition sits -17 pts vs county average | Mixed proposal movementOperating -$3.3M; cost line +$1,172; Capital outlay -$7.0M | Pull Tuition and placement schedules, preschool aid records, service-load rows, contracts, and source-row proof sections.Ask whether transfers, tuition, preschool, or special-education/support rows explain the comparison frame.Block Do not treat source-family rows as audited service counts, quality, adequacy, or a complete program ledger. | Open report |
| Estell Manor CityAtlantic County | Separate outside-operating moneyIs the story about grants, special revenue, capital, facilities, or debt rather than recurring operating spending? | Outside-operating familyHow large are grant-funded or otherwise outside-operating programs relative to operating budgets? | $19,669#446 NJ / #20 county; real -$3,016 | Placement load; One-time support; Side-file context57% local / 33% state; <1% transfers; 21% placement load | Real movementSpecial revenue funds moved +$1.0M since 2019-20Proposal moveFederal grants changes -$142,329 in the latest fileCurrent scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 58% of operating scalePeer gapCapital, facilities, and debt sits -8 pts vs county average | Mixed proposal movementOperating -$14,686; cost line -$624; Benefits +$77,296 | Pull Grant schedules, capital/debt schedules, line-item budget, source-row proof sections, and project or bond records.Ask whether the signal belongs to grants, capital, facilities, or debt before reading it as recurring operating spending.Block Do not add outside-operating source-family rows into one operating total or treat them as ordinary classroom spending. | Open report |
| Folsom BoroAtlantic County | Check students and service loadIs a per-student comparison really about denominator, placements, or student need? | Student/service familyIs preschool aid, carryover, instruction, or support service scale material? | $19,034#484 NJ / #22 county; real +$562 | Placement load; One-time support; Side-file context23% local / 70% state; <1% transfers; 15% placement load | Real movementPreschool moved +$974,661 since 2019-20Current scaleState aid represents 75% of operating scale | State revenue drives proposalOperating +$402,387; cost line -$484; General current +$377,087 | Pull Tuition and placement schedules, preschool aid records, service-load rows, contracts, and source-row proof sections.Ask whether transfers, tuition, preschool, or special-education/support rows explain the comparison frame.Block Do not treat source-family rows as audited service counts, quality, adequacy, or a complete program ledger. | Open report |
| Galloway TwpAtlantic County | Check students and service loadIs a per-student comparison really about denominator, placements, or student need? | Student/service familyDo charter/Renaissance transfers, tuition, or purchased placements change the budget story? | $21,755#306 NJ / #14 county; real +$307 | One-time support; Side-file context53% local / 41% state; 1% transfers; 2% placement load | Real movementPreschool moved +$6.5M since 2019-20Proposal moveFederal grants changes -$2.8M in the latest fileCurrent scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 53% of operating scalePeer gapTransfers and tuition sits -15 pts vs county average | Transfer proposal increaseOperating +$2.8M; cost line +$963; General current +$2.9M | Pull Tuition and placement schedules, preschool aid records, service-load rows, contracts, and source-row proof sections.Ask whether transfers, tuition, preschool, or special-education/support rows explain the comparison frame.Block Do not treat source-family rows as audited service counts, quality, adequacy, or a complete program ledger. | Open report |
| Greater Egg Harbor RegAtlantic County | Check students and service loadIs a per-student comparison really about denominator, placements, or student need? | Student/service familyIs preschool aid, carryover, instruction, or support service scale material? | $22,660#248 NJ / #12 county; real +$12 | Side-file context47% local / 51% state; 1% transfers; 3% placement load | Real movementLocal taxes and local sources moved -$6.6M since 2019-20Current scaleState aid represents 51% of operating scalePeer gapPreschool sits -22 pts vs county average | State revenue drives proposalOperating +$3.2M; cost line +$782; General current +$3.5M | Pull Tuition and placement schedules, preschool aid records, service-load rows, contracts, and source-row proof sections.Ask whether transfers, tuition, preschool, or special-education/support rows explain the comparison frame.Block Do not treat source-family rows as audited service counts, quality, adequacy, or a complete program ledger. | Open report |
| Hamilton TwpAtlantic County | Test one-time supportIs the budget leaning on fund balance, reserve withdrawals, or carryover that must be checked for recurrence? | Fund balance/reserve familyIs the district leaning on fund balance, capital reserve, maintenance reserve, or similar one-time sources? | $20,285#407 NJ / #18 county; real +$1,785 | One-time support; Outside-operating scale; Side-file context35% local / 50% state; 1% transfers; 3% placement load | Real movementFund balance and reserves moved +$7.7M since 2019-20Current scaleState aid represents 60% of operating scale | State revenue drives proposalOperating +$7.6M; cost line +$1,204; Capital outlay +$4.6M | Pull Fund-balance appropriation notes, reserve withdrawal rows, recap schedules, board minutes, and audit or ACFR schedules.Ask whether the fund-balance or reserve row is recurring support, a one-year bridge, restricted, or paired with close-year balances.Block Do not call planned source-family rows audited cash stress, recurring revenue, or a structural deficit by themselves. | Open report |
| Hammonton TownAtlantic County | Follow operating fundingDid the budget move toward local levy, state aid, federal revenue, or fund balance? | Operating funding familyHow much of the budget story is local levy, tuition, fees, or miscellaneous local revenue? | $18,560#506 NJ / #23 county; real +$2,596 | One-time support; Side-file context48% local / 47% state; <1% transfers; 2% placement load | Proposal movePreschool changes +$3.7M in the latest fileCurrent scaleState aid represents 52% of operating scalePeer gapLocal taxes and local sources sits -20 pts vs county average | Mixed proposal movementOperating -$549,365; cost line +$868; Capital outlay -$2.4M | Pull State-aid notices, levy worksheet, fund-balance notes, source-row proof sections, and tax-impact materials.Ask whether the source-family signal is a current revenue scale issue, a peer gap, a real movement, or a proposal-column move.Block Do not read General Fund operating source rows as all-funds revenue, taxpayer burden, or proof of cause without local records. | Open report |
| Linwood CityAtlantic County | Separate outside-operating moneyIs the story about grants, special revenue, capital, facilities, or debt rather than recurring operating spending? | Outside-operating familyHow large are grant-funded or otherwise outside-operating programs relative to operating budgets? | $20,926#362 NJ / #17 county; real -$959 | Locally funded; Placement load; One-time support85% local / 6% state; <1% transfers; 6% placement load | Real movementSpecial revenue funds moved +$3.5M since 2019-20Proposal movePreschool changes +$672,826 in the latest fileCurrent scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 86% of operating scale | Mixed proposal movementOperating +$128,882; cost line +$386; General current +$259,183 | Pull Grant schedules, capital/debt schedules, line-item budget, source-row proof sections, and project or bond records.Ask whether the signal belongs to grants, capital, facilities, or debt before reading it as recurring operating spending.Block Do not add outside-operating source-family rows into one operating total or treat them as ordinary classroom spending. | Open report |
| LongportAtlantic County | Test one-time supportIs the budget leaning on fund balance, reserve withdrawals, or carryover that must be checked for recurrence? | One-time supportIs the budget using fund balance, reserve, or carryover support that needs a recurrence check? | n/an/a NJ / n/a county; real n/a | One-time support; Side-file context52% local / 5% state; 0% transfers; n/a placement load | Real movementLocal taxes and local sources moved -$1.1M since 2019-20Current scaleTransfers and tuition represents 77% of operating scale | Fund-balance proposal shiftOperating -$409,789; cost line n/a; General current -$409,789 | Pull Fund-balance appropriation notes, reserve withdrawal rows, board minutes, and audit or ACFR schedules.Ask whether the source recurs, replaces aid or levy, bridges a one-year plan, or draws restricted reserves.Block Do not call planned source rows audited cash stress or recurring operating revenue. | Open report |
| Mainland RegionalAtlantic County | Explain categoriesWhich spending or revenue family makes the budget look different? | Spending/category familyWhich classroom or instructional program rows define the core spending structure? | $24,381#161 NJ / #9 county; real -$2,653 | One-time support; Outside-operating scale; Side-file context70% local / 22% state; 2% transfers; 2% placement load | Real movementInstruction programs moved -$3.9M since 2019-20Proposal moveFederal grants changes -$1.8M in the latest fileCurrent scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 77% of operating scale | Mixed proposal movementOperating +$437,419; cost line +$701; General current +$880,840 | Pull Line-item budget, source-row proof sections, category atlas, proposal support, and local peer reports.Ask whether the named family is current scale, a peer gap, real movement, a current proposal move, or outside-operating context.Block Do not add nested source-family rows into one total or treat a family signal as cause, waste, adequacy, or recurring spending without local records. | Open report |
| Margate CityAtlantic County | Compare cost positionIs the district expensive, or just in a high-cost peer group? | Cost positionWhy does this district sit high on the published comparative-cost line? | $38,160#17 NJ / #3 county; real -$30 | High comparative cost; Locally funded; High tax effort83% local / 4% state; 0% transfers; 12% placement load | Current scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 78% of operating scalePeer gapState aid sits -39 pts vs county average | Proposed comparative cost increaseOperating +$858,604; cost line +$2,176; General current +$1.0M | Pull Budget presentation, adopted budget book, staffing/program notes, and local peer reports.Ask whether county, scale, grade span, placements, transfers, or side files explain the rank.Block Do not turn comparative cost into waste, quality, or adequacy by itself. | Open report |
| Mullica TwpAtlantic County | Explain categoriesWhich spending or revenue family makes the budget look different? | Spending/category familyWhich remaining named rows deserve a closer district-level look? | $21,184#346 NJ / #15 county; real +$1,323 | One-time support; Outside-operating scale; Side-file context55% local / 38% state; 0% transfers; 1% placement load | Proposal moveOther named rows changes -$2.6M in the latest fileCurrent scaleState aid represents 66% of operating scalePeer gapSpecial revenue funds sits +37 pts vs county average | Tax levy drives proposalOperating +$342,374; cost line +$1,275; General current +$395,446 | Pull Line-item budget, source-row proof sections, category atlas, proposal support, and local peer reports.Ask whether the named family is current scale, a peer gap, real movement, a current proposal move, or outside-operating context.Block Do not add nested source-family rows into one total or treat a family signal as cause, waste, adequacy, or recurring spending without local records. | Open report |
| Northfield CityAtlantic County | Check students and service loadIs a per-student comparison really about denominator, placements, or student need? | Student/service familyIs preschool aid, carryover, instruction, or support service scale material? | $20,241#411 NJ / #19 county; real +$1,013 | One-time support; Outside-operating scale; Side-file context66% local / 28% state; <1% transfers; 1% placement load | Real movementPreschool moved +$3.0M since 2019-20Proposal moveFederal grants changes -$2.2M in the latest fileCurrent scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 69% of operating scalePeer gapTransfers and tuition sits -18 pts vs county average | Mixed proposal movementOperating +$176,697; cost line +$388; Benefits +$470,699 | Pull Tuition and placement schedules, preschool aid records, service-load rows, contracts, and source-row proof sections.Ask whether transfers, tuition, preschool, or special-education/support rows explain the comparison frame.Block Do not treat source-family rows as audited service counts, quality, adequacy, or a complete program ledger. | Open report |
| Pleasantville CityAtlantic County | Test one-time supportIs the budget leaning on fund balance, reserve withdrawals, or carryover that must be checked for recurrence? | One-time supportIs the budget using fund balance, reserve, or carryover support that needs a recurrence check? | $26,098#103 NJ / #6 county; real +$1,974 | State-funded; School-based budgeting; Placement load10% local / 77% state; 6% transfers; 5% placement load | Real movementFund balance and reserves moved +$13.6M since 2019-20Proposal moveFederal grants changes -$9.9M in the latest fileCurrent scaleState aid represents 84% of operating scalePeer gapLocal taxes and local sources sits -43 pts vs county average | Proposed comparative cost increaseOperating +$8.7M; cost line +$1,791; General current +$5.5M | Pull Fund-balance appropriation notes, reserve withdrawal rows, board minutes, and audit or ACFR schedules.Ask whether the source recurs, replaces aid or levy, bridges a one-year plan, or draws restricted reserves.Block Do not call planned source rows audited cash stress or recurring operating revenue. | Open report |
| Port Republic CityAtlantic County | Check students and service loadIs a per-student comparison really about denominator, placements, or student need? | Student/service familyIs preschool aid, carryover, instruction, or support service scale material? | $22,822#242 NJ / #10 county; real -$1,026 | Placement load; Side-file context72% local / 27% state; 0% transfers; 48% placement load | Current scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 66% of operating scalePeer gapPreschool sits -22 pts vs county average | Proposed comparative cost increaseOperating +$323,335; cost line +$2,455; General current +$263,335 | Pull Tuition and placement schedules, preschool aid records, service-load rows, contracts, and source-row proof sections.Ask whether transfers, tuition, preschool, or special-education/support rows explain the comparison frame.Block Do not treat source-family rows as audited service counts, quality, adequacy, or a complete program ledger. | Open report |
| Somers Point CityAtlantic County | Follow operating fundingDid the budget move toward local levy, state aid, federal revenue, or fund balance? | Operating funding familyWhich aid lines explain dependence on state funding or first-to-latest movement? | $24,732#145 NJ / #7 county; real +$2,091 | Locally funded; One-time support; Outside-operating scale75% local / 14% state; <1% transfers; 2% placement load | Real movementState aid moved -$3.7M since 2019-20Proposal moveCapital, facilities, and debt changes -$1.3M in the latest fileCurrent scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 80% of operating scale | Benefits drive proposed useOperating +$142,313; cost line +$1,297; Benefits +$822,921 | Pull State-aid notices, levy worksheet, fund-balance notes, source-row proof sections, and tax-impact materials.Ask whether the source-family signal is a current revenue scale issue, a peer gap, a real movement, or a proposal-column move.Block Do not read General Fund operating source rows as all-funds revenue, taxpayer burden, or proof of cause without local records. | Open report |
| Ventnor CityAtlantic County | Compare cost positionIs the district expensive, or just in a high-cost peer group? | Cost positionWhy does this district sit high on the published comparative-cost line? | $32,146#37 NJ / #4 county; real +$5,333 | High comparative cost; Rising real cost; Locally funded81% local / 5% state; 2% transfers; 26% placement load | Proposal moveFederal grants changes -$2.9M in the latest fileCurrent scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 80% of operating scalePeer gapState aid sits -30 pts vs county average | Proposed comparative cost decreaseOperating -$371,491; cost line -$1,682; Benefits -$534,591 | Pull Budget presentation, adopted budget book, staffing/program notes, and local peer reports.Ask whether county, scale, grade span, placements, transfers, or side files explain the rank.Block Do not turn comparative cost into waste, quality, or adequacy by itself. | Open report |
| Weymouth TwpAtlantic County | Check students and service loadIs a per-student comparison really about denominator, placements, or student need? | Student/service familyIs preschool aid, carryover, instruction, or support service scale material? | $19,396#463 NJ / #21 county; real -$1,561 | Placement load; One-time support; Outside-operating scale67% local / 25% state; 1% transfers; 27% placement load | Current scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 68% of operating scalePeer gapPreschool sits +17 pts vs county average | Tax levy drives proposalOperating +$8,463; cost line +$110; Plant operations -$102,135 | Pull Tuition and placement schedules, preschool aid records, service-load rows, contracts, and source-row proof sections.Ask whether transfers, tuition, preschool, or special-education/support rows explain the comparison frame.Block Do not treat source-family rows as audited service counts, quality, adequacy, or a complete program ledger. | Open report |
| Allendale BoroBergen County | Read the current proposalWhat changes now in the proposed column before the long-run trend is interpreted? | Current proposal changeWhat does the latest proposed budget column change right now? | $23,023#230 NJ / #36 county; real -$228 | Locally funded; One-time support; Side-file context85% local / 6% state; 0% transfers; 1% placement load | Real movementFund balance and reserves moved -$1.7M since 2019-20Current scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 85% of operating scalePeer gapPreschool sits -13 pts vs county average | Capital proposal decreaseOperating -$6.0M; cost line +$325; Capital outlay -$6.4M | Pull Proposed budget, revised/current column support, adoption minutes, budget hearing deck, and district FAQ.Ask what is recurring, one-time, grant-funded, enrollment-driven, negotiated, or reclassified.Block Do not treat nominal proposal movement as an audited result or inflation-adjusted trend. | Open report |
| Alpine BoroBergen County | Compare cost positionIs the district expensive, or just in a high-cost peer group? | Cost positionWhy does this district sit high on the published comparative-cost line? | $35,241#19 NJ / #3 county; real -$9,471 | High comparative cost; Locally funded; High tax effort87% local / 4% state; 0% transfers; 34% placement load | Real movementFund balance and reserves moved +$1.7M since 2019-20Current scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 85% of operating scalePeer gapPreschool sits -13 pts vs county average | Proposed comparative cost decreaseOperating +$1.0M; cost line -$2,998; Capital outlay +$825,478 | Pull Budget presentation, adopted budget book, staffing/program notes, and local peer reports.Ask whether county, scale, grade span, placements, transfers, or side files explain the rank.Block Do not turn comparative cost into waste, quality, or adequacy by itself. | Open report |
| Bergen Co Special ServiceBergen County | Compare cost positionIs the district expensive, or just in a high-cost peer group? | Cost positionWhy does this district sit high on the published comparative-cost line? | $103,100#1 NJ / #1 county; real -$16,625 | High comparative cost; Locally funded; Outside-operating scale98% local / n/a state; 0% transfers; 0% placement load | Real movementState aid moved +$12.3M since 2019-20Proposal moveOther named rows changes -$9.0M in the latest fileCurrent scaleTransfers and tuition represents 74% of operating scale | Proposed comparative cost increaseOperating -$2.1M; cost line +$2,357; Capital outlay -$3.4M | Pull Budget presentation, adopted budget book, staffing/program notes, and local peer reports.Ask whether county, scale, grade span, placements, transfers, or side files explain the rank.Block Do not turn comparative cost into waste, quality, or adequacy by itself. | Open report |
| Bergen County VocationalBergen County | Check students and service loadIs a per-student comparison really about denominator, placements, or student need? | Student/service familyDo charter/Renaissance transfers, tuition, or purchased placements change the budget story? | $28,583#60 NJ / #11 county; real -$7,111 | Locally funded; Side-file context92% local / 6% state; 0% transfers; 0% placement load | Proposal moveOther named rows changes -$6.1M in the latest fileCurrent scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 87% of operating scalePeer gapTransfers and tuition sits +32 pts vs county average | Mixed proposal movementOperating +$2.6M; cost line +$1,249; General current +$4.2M | Pull Tuition and placement schedules, preschool aid records, service-load rows, contracts, and source-row proof sections.Ask whether transfers, tuition, preschool, or special-education/support rows explain the comparison frame.Block Do not treat source-family rows as audited service counts, quality, adequacy, or a complete program ledger. | Open report |
| Bergenfield BoroBergen County | Follow operating fundingDid the budget move toward local levy, state aid, federal revenue, or fund balance? | Operating funding familyWhich aid lines explain dependence on state funding or first-to-latest movement? | $21,756#305 NJ / #47 county; real +$277 | One-time support; Side-file context69% local / 25% state; <1% transfers; 3% placement load | Real movementState aid moved +$6.8M since 2019-20Proposal moveFederal grants changes -$2.5M in the latest fileCurrent scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 64% of operating scale | Mixed proposal movementOperating +$1.1M; cost line +$678; Benefits +$1.5M | Pull State-aid notices, levy worksheet, fund-balance notes, source-row proof sections, and tax-impact materials.Ask whether the source-family signal is a current revenue scale issue, a peer gap, a real movement, or a proposal-column move.Block Do not read General Fund operating source rows as all-funds revenue, taxpayer burden, or proof of cause without local records. | Open report |
| Bogota BoroBergen County | Follow operating fundingDid the budget move toward local levy, state aid, federal revenue, or fund balance? | Funding model shiftDid the district move toward local levy, state aid, federal revenue, or fund balance? | $23,758#187 NJ / #29 county; real +$1,638 | Placement load; Side-file context45% local / 51% state; <1% transfers; 10% placement load | Proposal moveFund balance and reserves changes +$2.0M in the latest fileCurrent scaleState aid represents 60% of operating scale | Mixed proposal movementOperating +$2.4M; cost line +$1,415; General current +$2.7M | Pull State-aid notices, levy worksheet, fund-balance notes, tax-impact slides, and budget presentation.Ask whether formula aid, levy-cap behavior, tax base, or fund balance changed who pays.Block Do not read General Fund operating mix as all-funds revenue or a household tax bill. | Open report |
| Carlstadt BoroBergen County | Test one-time supportIs the budget leaning on fund balance, reserve withdrawals, or carryover that must be checked for recurrence? | One-time supportIs the budget using fund balance, reserve, or carryover support that needs a recurrence check? | $28,675#59 NJ / #10 county; real +$5,565 | Rising real cost; Locally funded; Placement load81% local / 6% state; <1% transfers; 13% placement load | Proposal movePreschool changes +$956,141 in the latest fileCurrent scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 91% of operating scalePeer gapSpecial revenue funds sits +12 pts vs county average | Fund-balance proposal shiftOperating +$1.0M; cost line +$1,494; General current +$1.1M | Pull Fund-balance appropriation notes, reserve withdrawal rows, board minutes, and audit or ACFR schedules.Ask whether the source recurs, replaces aid or levy, bridges a one-year plan, or draws restricted reserves.Block Do not call planned source rows audited cash stress or recurring operating revenue. | Open report |
| Carlstadt-East RutherfordBergen County | Read the current proposalWhat changes now in the proposed column before the long-run trend is interpreted? | Current proposal changeWhat does the latest proposed budget column change right now? | $17,962#533 NJ / #74 county; real -$7,113 | Locally funded; Side-file context91% local / 5% state; <1% transfers; 3% placement load | Proposal moveEmployee benefits changes +$861,701 in the latest fileCurrent scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 71% of operating scalePeer gapTransfers and tuition sits +16 pts vs county average | Proposed comparative cost decreaseOperating +$643,341; cost line -$2,520; General current +$970,717 | Pull Proposed budget, revised/current column support, adoption minutes, budget hearing deck, and district FAQ.Ask what is recurring, one-time, grant-funded, enrollment-driven, negotiated, or reclassified.Block Do not treat nominal proposal movement as an audited result or inflation-adjusted trend. | Open report |
| Cliffside Park BoroBergen County | Check students and service loadIs a per-student comparison really about denominator, placements, or student need? | Fall enrollment and needDoes the same-year fall enrollment table change the denominator or student-need read? | $18,777#492 NJ / #67 county; real +$1,757 | Locally funded; One-time support; Side-file context76% local / 16% state; <1% transfers; 1% placement load | Proposal moveOther named rows changes -$4.7M in the latest fileReal movementState aid moved +$3.8M since 2019-20Current scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 60% of operating scale | Benefits drive proposed useOperating -$731,685; cost line +$356; Benefits +$2.9M | Pull Fall enrollment files, enrollment projections, FRL/ML/homelessness context, and district planning documents.Ask whether the UFB denominator and fall enrollment point to different student-load stories.Block Do not silently replace NJDOE's comparative-cost denominator with fall enrollment. | Open report |
| Closter BoroBergen County | Check students and service loadIs a per-student comparison really about denominator, placements, or student need? | Student/service familyIs preschool aid, carryover, instruction, or support service scale material? | $20,209#417 NJ / #59 county; real +$93 | Locally funded; One-time support; Side-file context87% local / 6% state; 0% transfers; 2% placement load | Proposal moveOther named rows changes -$1.9M in the latest fileReal movementSpecial education and student supports moved +$1.8M since 2019-20Current scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 88% of operating scalePeer gapPreschool sits -13 pts vs county average | Mixed proposal movementOperating -$854,976; cost line +$58; Capital outlay -$981,291 | Pull Tuition and placement schedules, preschool aid records, service-load rows, contracts, and source-row proof sections.Ask whether transfers, tuition, preschool, or special-education/support rows explain the comparison frame.Block Do not treat source-family rows as audited service counts, quality, adequacy, or a complete program ledger. | Open report |
| Cresskill BoroBergen County | Check students and service loadIs a per-student comparison really about denominator, placements, or student need? | Student/service familyIs preschool aid, carryover, instruction, or support service scale material? | $20,276#409 NJ / #57 county; real +$371 | Locally funded; Side-file context89% local / 7% state; 0% transfers; 1% placement load | Proposal moveFund balance and reserves changes -$2.1M in the latest fileCurrent scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 90% of operating scalePeer gapPreschool sits -13 pts vs county average | Mixed proposal movementOperating +$366,880; cost line +$890; General current +$1.4M | Pull Tuition and placement schedules, preschool aid records, service-load rows, contracts, and source-row proof sections.Ask whether transfers, tuition, preschool, or special-education/support rows explain the comparison frame.Block Do not treat source-family rows as audited service counts, quality, adequacy, or a complete program ledger. | Open report |
| Demarest BoroBergen County | Test one-time supportIs the budget leaning on fund balance, reserve withdrawals, or carryover that must be checked for recurrence? | Fund balance/reserve familyIs the district leaning on fund balance, capital reserve, maintenance reserve, or similar one-time sources? | $23,829#183 NJ / #28 county; real -$3,917 | Locally funded; One-time support; Outside-operating scale86% local / 4% state; 0% transfers; 1% placement load | Proposal moveFund balance and reserves changes -$2.5M in the latest fileReal movementCapital, facilities, and debt moved +$1.1M since 2019-20Current scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 86% of operating scalePeer gapPreschool sits -13 pts vs county average | Mixed proposal movementOperating -$664,669; cost line +$715; Capital outlay -$1.0M | Pull Fund-balance appropriation notes, reserve withdrawal rows, recap schedules, board minutes, and audit or ACFR schedules.Ask whether the fund-balance or reserve row is recurring support, a one-year bridge, restricted, or paired with close-year balances.Block Do not call planned source-family rows audited cash stress, recurring revenue, or a structural deficit by themselves. | Open report |
| Dumont BoroBergen County | Separate outside-operating moneyIs the story about grants, special revenue, capital, facilities, or debt rather than recurring operating spending? | Outside-operating familyAre capital projects, facilities acquisition, reserve withdrawals, or debt-service rows distorting all-funds comparisons? | $18,699#498 NJ / #69 county; real -$1,524 | Side-file context71% local / 27% state; 0% transfers; 2% placement load | Real movementCapital, facilities, and debt moved -$8.4M since 2019-20Current scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 71% of operating scalePeer gapPreschool sits -13 pts vs county average | Mixed proposal movementOperating -$241,618; cost line +$446; Capital outlay -$1.9M | Pull Grant schedules, capital/debt schedules, line-item budget, source-row proof sections, and project or bond records.Ask whether the signal belongs to grants, capital, facilities, or debt before reading it as recurring operating spending.Block Do not add outside-operating source-family rows into one operating total or treat them as ordinary classroom spending. | Open report |
| East Rutherford BoroBergen County | Separate outside-operating moneyIs the story about grants, special revenue, capital, facilities, or debt rather than recurring operating spending? | Outside-operating familyAre capital projects, facilities acquisition, reserve withdrawals, or debt-service rows distorting all-funds comparisons? | $23,344#207 NJ / #32 county; real +$1,635 | Locally funded; One-time support; Outside-operating scale86% local / 6% state; <1% transfers; 1% placement load | Proposal moveFund balance and reserves changes -$1.2M in the latest fileCurrent scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 92% of operating scalePeer gapCapital, facilities, and debt sits +20 pts vs county average | Proposed comparative cost decreaseOperating +$68,819; cost line -$2,355; General current +$441,322 | Pull Grant schedules, capital/debt schedules, line-item budget, source-row proof sections, and project or bond records.Ask whether the signal belongs to grants, capital, facilities, or debt before reading it as recurring operating spending.Block Do not add outside-operating source-family rows into one operating total or treat them as ordinary classroom spending. | Open report |
| Edgewater BoroBergen County | Check students and service loadIs a per-student comparison really about denominator, placements, or student need? | Student/service familyDo charter/Renaissance transfers, tuition, or purchased placements change the budget story? | $23,402#206 NJ / #31 county; real +$9,292 | Rising real cost; Locally funded; High tax effort85% local / 7% state; <1% transfers; 63% placement load | Real movementFund balance and reserves moved +$2.9M since 2019-20Current scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 90% of operating scalePeer gapTransfers and tuition sits +19 pts vs county average | Proposed comparative cost decreaseOperating +$180,275; cost line -$1,960; Benefits +$615,260 | Pull Tuition and placement schedules, preschool aid records, service-load rows, contracts, and source-row proof sections.Ask whether transfers, tuition, preschool, or special-education/support rows explain the comparison frame.Block Do not treat source-family rows as audited service counts, quality, adequacy, or a complete program ledger. | Open report |
| Elmwood ParkBergen County | Separate outside-operating moneyIs the story about grants, special revenue, capital, facilities, or debt rather than recurring operating spending? | Outside-operating familyAre capital projects, facilities acquisition, reserve withdrawals, or debt-service rows distorting all-funds comparisons? | $18,768#495 NJ / #68 county; real +$1,795 | Side-file context55% local / 41% state; 2% transfers; 3% placement load | Proposal moveCapital, facilities, and debt changes -$11.3M in the latest fileCurrent scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 58% of operating scalePeer gapState aid sits +27 pts vs county average | Capital proposal decreaseOperating -$5.6M; cost line -$633; Capital outlay -$6.7M | Pull Grant schedules, capital/debt schedules, line-item budget, source-row proof sections, and project or bond records.Ask whether the signal belongs to grants, capital, facilities, or debt before reading it as recurring operating spending.Block Do not add outside-operating source-family rows into one operating total or treat them as ordinary classroom spending. | Open report |
| Emerson BoroBergen County | Separate outside-operating moneyIs the story about grants, special revenue, capital, facilities, or debt rather than recurring operating spending? | Outside-operating familyAre capital projects, facilities acquisition, reserve withdrawals, or debt-service rows distorting all-funds comparisons? | $23,326#209 NJ / #34 county; real +$102 | Locally funded; Side-file context91% local / 6% state; 0% transfers; 3% placement load | Real movementCapital, facilities, and debt moved -$2.8M since 2019-20Current scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 90% of operating scalePeer gapPreschool sits -13 pts vs county average | Mixed proposal movementOperating -$506,262; cost line +$1,527; Capital outlay -$1.6M | Pull Grant schedules, capital/debt schedules, line-item budget, source-row proof sections, and project or bond records.Ask whether the signal belongs to grants, capital, facilities, or debt before reading it as recurring operating spending.Block Do not add outside-operating source-family rows into one operating total or treat them as ordinary classroom spending. | Open report |
| Englewood CityBergen County | Separate outside-operating moneyIs the story about grants, special revenue, capital, facilities, or debt rather than recurring operating spending? | Outside-operating familyAre capital projects, facilities acquisition, reserve withdrawals, or debt-service rows distorting all-funds comparisons? | $21,075#353 NJ / #51 county; real -$1,819 | Locally funded; Side-file context81% local / 16% state; 6% transfers; 3% placement load | Real movementCapital, facilities, and debt moved -$8.7M since 2019-20Current scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 80% of operating scalePeer gapSpecial revenue funds sits +11 pts vs county average | Mixed proposal movementOperating -$1.9M; cost line -$307; Capital outlay -$3.3M | Pull Grant schedules, capital/debt schedules, line-item budget, source-row proof sections, and project or bond records.Ask whether the signal belongs to grants, capital, facilities, or debt before reading it as recurring operating spending.Block Do not add outside-operating source-family rows into one operating total or treat them as ordinary classroom spending. | Open report |
| Englewood Cliffs BoroBergen County | Compare cost positionIs the district expensive, or just in a high-cost peer group? | Cost positionWhy does this district sit high on the published comparative-cost line? | $32,777#29 NJ / #4 county; real +$4,162 | High comparative cost; Rising real cost; Locally funded85% local / 5% state; 0% transfers; 12% placement load | Proposal moveFederal grants changes -$1.6M in the latest fileCurrent scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 83% of operating scalePeer gapPreschool sits -13 pts vs county average | Mixed proposal movementOperating +$838,307; cost line +$1,158; General current +$676,541 | Pull Budget presentation, adopted budget book, staffing/program notes, and local peer reports.Ask whether county, scale, grade span, placements, transfers, or side files explain the rank.Block Do not turn comparative cost into waste, quality, or adequacy by itself. | Open report |
| Fair Lawn BoroBergen County | Read side-file contextWhich balances, reserves, unusual items, shared services, or listed roles change the story? | Balances and reservesDoes the close-year cushion change the budget interpretation? | $21,390#335 NJ / #49 county; real -$892 | Locally funded; One-time support; Side-file context75% local / 17% state; <1% transfers; 1% placement load | Real movementState aid moved +$14.4M since 2019-20Current scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 77% of operating scalePeer gapPreschool sits -13 pts vs county average | Mixed proposal movementOperating +$1.5M; cost line +$113; Benefits +$1.6M | Pull Recap balance rows, audit or ACFR reserve schedules, board reserve actions, and budget notes.Ask what is restricted, recurring, planned drawdown, cushion, or close-year projection.Block Do not read recap balances as current operating appropriations or spendable cash. | Open report |
| Fairview BoroBergen County | Read side-file contextWhich balances, reserves, unusual items, shared services, or listed roles change the story? | Balances and reservesDoes the close-year cushion change the budget interpretation? | $20,598#381 NJ / #53 county; real +$9,534 | Rising real cost; Placement load; Outside-operating scale30% local / 67% state; <1% transfers; 44% placement load | Proposal moveOther named rows changes -$4.7M in the latest fileCurrent scaleState aid represents 74% of operating scale | Proposed comparative cost decreaseOperating -$2.9M; cost line -$1,872; Capital outlay -$2.1M | Pull Recap balance rows, audit or ACFR reserve schedules, board reserve actions, and budget notes.Ask what is restricted, recurring, planned drawdown, cushion, or close-year projection.Block Do not read recap balances as current operating appropriations or spendable cash. | Open report |
| Fort Lee BoroBergen County | Check students and service loadIs a per-student comparison really about denominator, placements, or student need? | Student/service familyIs preschool aid, carryover, instruction, or support service scale material? | $20,579#382 NJ / #54 county; real +$1,407 | Locally funded; Side-file context87% local / 8% state; 0% transfers; 2% placement load | Real movementCapital, facilities, and debt moved -$4.8M since 2019-20Current scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 90% of operating scalePeer gapPreschool sits -13 pts vs county average | Mixed proposal movementOperating +$2.8M; cost line +$944; General current +$5.2M | Pull Tuition and placement schedules, preschool aid records, service-load rows, contracts, and source-row proof sections.Ask whether transfers, tuition, preschool, or special-education/support rows explain the comparison frame.Block Do not treat source-family rows as audited service counts, quality, adequacy, or a complete program ledger. | Open report |
| Franklin Lakes BoroBergen County | Compare cost positionIs the district expensive, or just in a high-cost peer group? | Cost positionWhy does this district sit high on the published comparative-cost line? | $30,907#42 NJ / #6 county; real -$2,522 | High comparative cost; Locally funded; High tax effort86% local / 6% state; 0% transfers; 3% placement load | Real movementFund balance and reserves moved +$4.6M since 2019-20Current scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 83% of operating scalePeer gapPreschool sits -13 pts vs county average | Mixed proposal movementOperating +$1.3M; cost line -$346; Benefits -$1.4M | Pull Budget presentation, adopted budget book, staffing/program notes, and local peer reports.Ask whether county, scale, grade span, placements, transfers, or side files explain the rank.Block Do not turn comparative cost into waste, quality, or adequacy by itself. | Open report |
| Garfield CityBergen County | Check students and service loadIs a per-student comparison really about denominator, placements, or student need? | Student/service familyIs preschool aid, carryover, instruction, or support service scale material? | $24,282#163 NJ / #26 county; real +$1,147 | School-based budgeting; Side-file context31% local / 66% state; 10% transfers; 2% placement load | Real movementPreschool moved -$6.5M since 2019-20Current scaleState aid represents 75% of operating scale | Proposed comparative cost increaseOperating +$7.2M; cost line +$2,793; School-based budgeting +$3.7M | Pull Tuition and placement schedules, preschool aid records, service-load rows, contracts, and source-row proof sections.Ask whether transfers, tuition, preschool, or special-education/support rows explain the comparison frame.Block Do not treat source-family rows as audited service counts, quality, adequacy, or a complete program ledger. | Open report |
| Glen Rock BoroBergen County | Follow operating fundingDid the budget move toward local levy, state aid, federal revenue, or fund balance? | Operating funding familyWhich federal rows are large, concentrated, or fading after pandemic-era aid? | $22,050#281 NJ / #42 county; real -$748 | Locally funded; Side-file context91% local / 6% state; 0% transfers; 2% placement load | Proposal moveFederal grants changes -$6.4M in the latest fileCurrent scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 95% of operating scale | Mixed proposal movementOperating -$1.1M; cost line +$433; Capital outlay -$3.4M | Pull State-aid notices, levy worksheet, fund-balance notes, source-row proof sections, and tax-impact materials.Ask whether the source-family signal is a current revenue scale issue, a peer gap, a real movement, or a proposal-column move.Block Do not read General Fund operating source rows as all-funds revenue, taxpayer burden, or proof of cause without local records. | Open report |
| Hackensack CityBergen County | Follow operating fundingDid the budget move toward local levy, state aid, federal revenue, or fund balance? | Operating funding familyWhich aid lines explain dependence on state funding or first-to-latest movement? | $23,985#180 NJ / #27 county; real +$346 | One-time support; Side-file context66% local / 28% state; 5% transfers; 3% placement load | Proposal moveFederal grants changes -$12.7M in the latest fileCurrent scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 64% of operating scalePeer gapState aid sits +18 pts vs county average | Mixed proposal movementOperating +$3.1M; cost line +$753; General current +$5.4M | Pull State-aid notices, levy worksheet, fund-balance notes, source-row proof sections, and tax-impact materials.Ask whether the source-family signal is a current revenue scale issue, a peer gap, a real movement, or a proposal-column move.Block Do not read General Fund operating source rows as all-funds revenue, taxpayer burden, or proof of cause without local records. | Open report |
| Harrington Park BoroBergen County | Check students and service loadIs a per-student comparison really about denominator, placements, or student need? | Student/service familyIs preschool aid, carryover, instruction, or support service scale material? | $22,914#235 NJ / #37 county; real -$2,617 | Locally funded; One-time support; Side-file context90% local / 5% state; 0% transfers; 3% placement load | Current scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 87% of operating scalePeer gapPreschool sits -13 pts vs county average | Mixed proposal movementOperating +$1.2M; cost line +$1,084; General current +$1.2M | Pull Tuition and placement schedules, preschool aid records, service-load rows, contracts, and source-row proof sections.Ask whether transfers, tuition, preschool, or special-education/support rows explain the comparison frame.Block Do not treat source-family rows as audited service counts, quality, adequacy, or a complete program ledger. | Open report |
| Hasbrouck Heights BoroBergen County | Separate outside-operating moneyIs the story about grants, special revenue, capital, facilities, or debt rather than recurring operating spending? | Outside-operating familyAre capital projects, facilities acquisition, reserve withdrawals, or debt-service rows distorting all-funds comparisons? | $20,628#378 NJ / #52 county; real -$511 | Locally funded; Side-file context92% local / 8% state; <1% transfers; 2% placement load | Real movementCapital, facilities, and debt moved -$5.0M since 2019-20Current scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 93% of operating scale | Mixed proposal movementOperating -$2.1M; cost line -$520; Capital outlay -$1.2M | Pull Grant schedules, capital/debt schedules, line-item budget, source-row proof sections, and project or bond records.Ask whether the signal belongs to grants, capital, facilities, or debt before reading it as recurring operating spending.Block Do not add outside-operating source-family rows into one operating total or treat them as ordinary classroom spending. | Open report |
| Haworth BoroBergen County | Separate outside-operating moneyIs the story about grants, special revenue, capital, facilities, or debt rather than recurring operating spending? | Outside-operating familyAre capital projects, facilities acquisition, reserve withdrawals, or debt-service rows distorting all-funds comparisons? | $22,451#256 NJ / #40 county; real -$4,863 | Locally funded; One-time support; Side-file context89% local / 5% state; 0% transfers; 2% placement load | Real movementCapital, facilities, and debt moved +$1.4M since 2019-20Current scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 89% of operating scalePeer gapPreschool sits -13 pts vs county average | Mixed proposal movementOperating +$1.5M; cost line +$685; General current +$774,129 | Pull Grant schedules, capital/debt schedules, line-item budget, source-row proof sections, and project or bond records.Ask whether the signal belongs to grants, capital, facilities, or debt before reading it as recurring operating spending.Block Do not add outside-operating source-family rows into one operating total or treat them as ordinary classroom spending. | Open report |
| Hillsdale BoroBergen County | Check students and service loadIs a per-student comparison really about denominator, placements, or student need? | Student/service familyIs preschool aid, carryover, instruction, or support service scale material? | $23,611#194 NJ / #30 county; real -$1,010 | Locally funded; One-time support; Side-file context86% local / 7% state; 0% transfers; 2% placement load | Proposal moveCapital, facilities, and debt changes +$1.3M in the latest fileCurrent scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 87% of operating scalePeer gapPreschool sits -13 pts vs county average | Mixed proposal movementOperating -$2,679; cost line +$140; Benefits +$489,208 | Pull Tuition and placement schedules, preschool aid records, service-load rows, contracts, and source-row proof sections.Ask whether transfers, tuition, preschool, or special-education/support rows explain the comparison frame.Block Do not treat source-family rows as audited service counts, quality, adequacy, or a complete program ledger. | Open report |
| Ho Ho Kus BoroBergen County | Check students and service loadIs a per-student comparison really about denominator, placements, or student need? | Student/service familyDo charter/Renaissance transfers, tuition, or purchased placements change the budget story? | $20,531#387 NJ / #55 county; real -$597 | Locally funded; Placement load; Side-file context88% local / 9% state; 0% transfers; 44% placement load | Proposal moveFund balance and reserves changes -$859,178 in the latest fileCurrent scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 90% of operating scalePeer gapTransfers and tuition sits +16 pts vs county average | Mixed proposal movementOperating -$199,312; cost line +$160; Capital outlay -$505,390 | Pull Tuition and placement schedules, preschool aid records, service-load rows, contracts, and source-row proof sections.Ask whether transfers, tuition, preschool, or special-education/support rows explain the comparison frame.Block Do not treat source-family rows as audited service counts, quality, adequacy, or a complete program ledger. | Open report |
| Leonia BoroBergen County | Separate outside-operating moneyIs the story about grants, special revenue, capital, facilities, or debt rather than recurring operating spending? | Outside-operating familyAre capital projects, facilities acquisition, reserve withdrawals, or debt-service rows distorting all-funds comparisons? | $20,307#405 NJ / #56 county; real +$4 | Locally funded; Side-file context83% local / 13% state; <1% transfers; 1% placement load | Real movementCapital, facilities, and debt moved -$7.0M since 2019-20Proposal moveOther named rows changes -$2.6M in the latest fileCurrent scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 61% of operating scale | Mixed proposal movementOperating -$1.2M; cost line +$262; Capital outlay -$1.4M | Pull Grant schedules, capital/debt schedules, line-item budget, source-row proof sections, and project or bond records.Ask whether the signal belongs to grants, capital, facilities, or debt before reading it as recurring operating spending.Block Do not add outside-operating source-family rows into one operating total or treat them as ordinary classroom spending. | Open report |
| Little Ferry BoroBergen County | Read the current proposalWhat changes now in the proposed column before the long-run trend is interpreted? | Current proposal changeWhat does the latest proposed budget column change right now? | $21,950#288 NJ / #43 county; real +$2,155 | Placement load; One-time support; Outside-operating scale58% local / 33% state; <1% transfers; 45% placement load | Current scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 59% of operating scalePeer gapCapital, facilities, and debt sits +35 pts vs county average | Proposed comparative cost decreaseOperating +$8.6M; cost line -$1,792; Capital outlay +$8.7M | Pull Proposed budget, revised/current column support, adoption minutes, budget hearing deck, and district FAQ.Ask what is recurring, one-time, grant-funded, enrollment-driven, negotiated, or reclassified.Block Do not treat nominal proposal movement as an audited result or inflation-adjusted trend. | Open report |
| Lodi BoroughBergen County | Separate outside-operating moneyIs the story about grants, special revenue, capital, facilities, or debt rather than recurring operating spending? | Outside-operating familyAre capital projects, facilities acquisition, reserve withdrawals, or debt-service rows distorting all-funds comparisons? | $20,215#415 NJ / #58 county; real +$2,955 | Placement load; One-time support; Side-file context45% local / 49% state; 4% transfers; 7% placement load | Proposal moveCapital, facilities, and debt changes -$8.2M in the latest fileCurrent scaleState aid represents 54% of operating scale | Mixed proposal movementOperating -$3.7M; cost line +$1,006; Capital outlay -$5.4M | Pull Grant schedules, capital/debt schedules, line-item budget, source-row proof sections, and project or bond records.Ask whether the signal belongs to grants, capital, facilities, or debt before reading it as recurring operating spending.Block Do not add outside-operating source-family rows into one operating total or treat them as ordinary classroom spending. | Open report |
| Lyndhurst TwpBergen County | Separate outside-operating moneyIs the story about grants, special revenue, capital, facilities, or debt rather than recurring operating spending? | Outside-operating familyAre capital projects, facilities acquisition, reserve withdrawals, or debt-service rows distorting all-funds comparisons? | $19,142#476 NJ / #64 county; real +$1,079 | Locally funded; Side-file context89% local / 11% state; 1% transfers; 2% placement load | Real movementCapital, facilities, and debt moved +$6.2M since 2019-20Current scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 89% of operating scalePeer gapPreschool sits -13 pts vs county average | Proposed comparative cost increaseOperating +$7.3M; cost line +$1,634; General current +$4.6M | Pull Grant schedules, capital/debt schedules, line-item budget, source-row proof sections, and project or bond records.Ask whether the signal belongs to grants, capital, facilities, or debt before reading it as recurring operating spending.Block Do not add outside-operating source-family rows into one operating total or treat them as ordinary classroom spending. | Open report |
| Mahwah TwpBergen County | Check students and service loadIs a per-student comparison really about denominator, placements, or student need? | Student/service familyIs preschool aid, carryover, instruction, or support service scale material? | $25,818#111 NJ / #18 county; real +$38 | Locally funded; One-time support; Side-file context89% local / 6% state; <1% transfers; 3% placement load | Current scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 88% of operating scalePeer gapPreschool sits -13 pts vs county average | Mixed proposal movementOperating +$1.2M; cost line -$237; Benefits +$1.1M | Pull Tuition and placement schedules, preschool aid records, service-load rows, contracts, and source-row proof sections.Ask whether transfers, tuition, preschool, or special-education/support rows explain the comparison frame.Block Do not treat source-family rows as audited service counts, quality, adequacy, or a complete program ledger. | Open report |
| Maywood BoroBergen County | Separate outside-operating moneyIs the story about grants, special revenue, capital, facilities, or debt rather than recurring operating spending? | Outside-operating familyAre capital projects, facilities acquisition, reserve withdrawals, or debt-service rows distorting all-funds comparisons? | $19,238#469 NJ / #63 county; real +$1,402 | Locally funded; Placement load; Outside-operating scale80% local / 14% state; <1% transfers; 43% placement load | Real movementCapital, facilities, and debt moved +$3.4M since 2019-20Current scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 85% of operating scalePeer gapPreschool sits -13 pts vs county average | Mixed proposal movementOperating +$1.5M; cost line +$931; General current +$1.6M | Pull Grant schedules, capital/debt schedules, line-item budget, source-row proof sections, and project or bond records.Ask whether the signal belongs to grants, capital, facilities, or debt before reading it as recurring operating spending.Block Do not add outside-operating source-family rows into one operating total or treat them as ordinary classroom spending. | Open report |
| Midland Park BoroBergen County | Separate outside-operating moneyIs the story about grants, special revenue, capital, facilities, or debt rather than recurring operating spending? | Outside-operating familyAre capital projects, facilities acquisition, reserve withdrawals, or debt-service rows distorting all-funds comparisons? | $26,212#100 NJ / #16 county; real -$459 | Locally funded; One-time support; Outside-operating scale84% local / 5% state; 0% transfers; 5% placement load | Real movementCapital, facilities, and debt moved +$4.1M since 2019-20Current scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 86% of operating scalePeer gapPreschool sits -13 pts vs county average | Benefits drive proposed useOperating +$3.1M; cost line -$303; Capital outlay +$2.5M | Pull Grant schedules, capital/debt schedules, line-item budget, source-row proof sections, and project or bond records.Ask whether the signal belongs to grants, capital, facilities, or debt before reading it as recurring operating spending.Block Do not add outside-operating source-family rows into one operating total or treat them as ordinary classroom spending. | Open report |
| Montvale BoroBergen County | Separate outside-operating moneyIs the story about grants, special revenue, capital, facilities, or debt rather than recurring operating spending? | Outside-operating familyAre capital projects, facilities acquisition, reserve withdrawals, or debt-service rows distorting all-funds comparisons? | $19,913#432 NJ / #61 county; real -$1,845 | Locally funded; Outside-operating scale; Side-file context88% local / 7% state; 0% transfers; 2% placement load | Real movementCapital, facilities, and debt moved +$2.7M since 2019-20Current scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 93% of operating scale | Benefits drive proposed useOperating +$1.3M; cost line +$648; General current +$1.3M | Pull Grant schedules, capital/debt schedules, line-item budget, source-row proof sections, and project or bond records.Ask whether the signal belongs to grants, capital, facilities, or debt before reading it as recurring operating spending.Block Do not add outside-operating source-family rows into one operating total or treat them as ordinary classroom spending. | Open report |
| Moonachie BoroBergen County | Test one-time supportIs the budget leaning on fund balance, reserve withdrawals, or carryover that must be checked for recurrence? | One-time supportIs the budget using fund balance, reserve, or carryover support that needs a recurrence check? | $21,895#293 NJ / #44 county; real -$2,801 | Locally funded; Placement load; One-time support77% local / 7% state; 0% transfers; 34% placement load | Real movementCapital, facilities, and debt moved +$1.8M since 2019-20Current scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 76% of operating scalePeer gapTransfers and tuition sits +12 pts vs county average | Mixed proposal movementOperating +$15,516; cost line +$45; General current +$385,231 | Pull Fund-balance appropriation notes, reserve withdrawal rows, board minutes, and audit or ACFR schedules.Ask whether the source recurs, replaces aid or levy, bridges a one-year plan, or draws restricted reserves.Block Do not call planned source rows audited cash stress or recurring operating revenue. | Open report |
| New Milford BoroBergen County | Check students and service loadIs a per-student comparison really about denominator, placements, or student need? | Student/service familyIs preschool aid, carryover, instruction, or support service scale material? | $21,811#298 NJ / #45 county; real +$56 | Locally funded; One-time support83% local / 10% state; <1% transfers; 1% placement load | Real movementFund balance and reserves moved +$4.2M since 2019-20Current scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 81% of operating scalePeer gapPreschool sits -13 pts vs county average | Mixed proposal movementOperating -$1.4M; cost line -$143; Capital outlay -$1.5M | Pull Tuition and placement schedules, preschool aid records, service-load rows, contracts, and source-row proof sections.Ask whether transfers, tuition, preschool, or special-education/support rows explain the comparison frame.Block Do not treat source-family rows as audited service counts, quality, adequacy, or a complete program ledger. | Open report |
| North Arlington BoroBergen County | Follow operating fundingDid the budget move toward local levy, state aid, federal revenue, or fund balance? | Operating funding familyWhich aid lines explain dependence on state funding or first-to-latest movement? | $19,810#438 NJ / #62 county; real +$1,639 | One-time support; Side-file context64% local / 23% state; 1% transfers; 4% placement load | Real movementState aid moved +$8.6M since 2019-20Proposal moveFund balance and reserves changes -$4.2M in the latest fileCurrent scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 64% of operating scale | Transfer proposal increaseOperating -$529,161; cost line -$958; Capital outlay -$2.1M | Pull State-aid notices, levy worksheet, fund-balance notes, source-row proof sections, and tax-impact materials.Ask whether the source-family signal is a current revenue scale issue, a peer gap, a real movement, or a proposal-column move.Block Do not read General Fund operating source rows as all-funds revenue, taxpayer burden, or proof of cause without local records. | Open report |
| Northern Highlands RegBergen County | Check students and service loadIs a per-student comparison really about denominator, placements, or student need? | Student/service familyIs preschool aid, carryover, instruction, or support service scale material? | $24,493#157 NJ / #25 county; real -$443 | Locally funded; Placement load; One-time support87% local / 4% state; 0% transfers; 6% placement load | Proposal moveCapital, facilities, and debt changes -$1.4M in the latest fileCurrent scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 71% of operating scalePeer gapPreschool sits -13 pts vs county average | Mixed proposal movementOperating +$739,766; cost line +$876; General current +$1.1M | Pull Tuition and placement schedules, preschool aid records, service-load rows, contracts, and source-row proof sections.Ask whether transfers, tuition, preschool, or special-education/support rows explain the comparison frame.Block Do not treat source-family rows as audited service counts, quality, adequacy, or a complete program ledger. | Open report |
| Northern Valley RegionalBergen County | Check students and service loadIs a per-student comparison really about denominator, placements, or student need? | Student/service familyIs preschool aid, carryover, instruction, or support service scale material? | $25,257#130 NJ / #20 county; real -$2,621 | Locally funded; Side-file context90% local / 5% state; 0% transfers; 2% placement load | Proposal moveCapital, facilities, and debt changes -$4.5M in the latest fileCurrent scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 85% of operating scalePeer gapPreschool sits -13 pts vs county average | Mixed proposal movementOperating +$506,084; cost line +$665; General current +$3.0M | Pull Tuition and placement schedules, preschool aid records, service-load rows, contracts, and source-row proof sections.Ask whether transfers, tuition, preschool, or special-education/support rows explain the comparison frame.Block Do not treat source-family rows as audited service counts, quality, adequacy, or a complete program ledger. | Open report |
| Northvale BoroBergen County | Read side-file contextWhich balances, reserves, unusual items, shared services, or listed roles change the story? | Unusual and shared-service contextDo one-off explanations or shared-service rows change the first read? | $22,172#274 NJ / #41 county; real -$122 | Locally funded; Side-file context88% local / 9% state; 0% transfers; 3% placement load | Real movementState aid moved +$760,056 since 2019-20Current scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 91% of operating scalePeer gapPreschool sits -13 pts vs county average | Mixed proposal movementOperating +$312,638; cost line +$1,209; General current +$321,994 | Pull Unusual-item explanations, shared-service agreements, board minutes, contracts, and local savings support.Ask whether the row duplicates another source line, is one-time, district-entered, or locally verified.Block Do not add unusual rows or reported savings to operating totals. | Open report |
| Norwood BoroBergen County | Separate outside-operating moneyIs the story about grants, special revenue, capital, facilities, or debt rather than recurring operating spending? | Outside-operating familyAre capital projects, facilities acquisition, reserve withdrawals, or debt-service rows distorting all-funds comparisons? | $19,112#479 NJ / #65 county; real +$342 | Locally funded; Side-file context87% local / 9% state; 0% transfers; 3% placement load | Real movementCapital, facilities, and debt moved -$2.7M since 2019-20Proposal moveFederal grants changes -$457,740 in the latest fileCurrent scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 88% of operating scalePeer gapPreschool sits -13 pts vs county average | Mixed proposal movementOperating +$172,424; cost line +$386; General current +$309,766 | Pull Grant schedules, capital/debt schedules, line-item budget, source-row proof sections, and project or bond records.Ask whether the signal belongs to grants, capital, facilities, or debt before reading it as recurring operating spending.Block Do not add outside-operating source-family rows into one operating total or treat them as ordinary classroom spending. | Open report |
| Oakland BoroBergen County | Separate outside-operating moneyIs the story about grants, special revenue, capital, facilities, or debt rather than recurring operating spending? | Outside-operating familyAre capital projects, facilities acquisition, reserve withdrawals, or debt-service rows distorting all-funds comparisons? | $26,666#90 NJ / #14 county; real +$449 | Locally funded; Side-file context92% local / 6% state; 0% transfers; 2% placement load | Real movementCapital, facilities, and debt moved -$3.4M since 2019-20Current scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 91% of operating scalePeer gapPreschool sits -13 pts vs county average | Mixed proposal movementOperating +$849,288; cost line +$575; General current +$1.3M | Pull Grant schedules, capital/debt schedules, line-item budget, source-row proof sections, and project or bond records.Ask whether the signal belongs to grants, capital, facilities, or debt before reading it as recurring operating spending.Block Do not add outside-operating source-family rows into one operating total or treat them as ordinary classroom spending. | Open report |
| Old Tappan BoroBergen County | Test one-time supportIs the budget leaning on fund balance, reserve withdrawals, or carryover that must be checked for recurrence? | One-time supportIs the budget using fund balance, reserve, or carryover support that needs a recurrence check? | $24,531#154 NJ / #24 county; real -$1,413 | One-time support; Outside-operating scale; Side-file context72% local / 4% state; 0% transfers; 4% placement load | Current scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 72% of operating scalePeer gapCapital, facilities, and debt sits +27 pts vs county average | Tax levy drives proposalOperating +$4.8M; cost line +$1,047; Capital outlay +$3.0M | Pull Fund-balance appropriation notes, reserve withdrawal rows, board minutes, and audit or ACFR schedules.Ask whether the source recurs, replaces aid or levy, bridges a one-year plan, or draws restricted reserves.Block Do not call planned source rows audited cash stress or recurring operating revenue. | Open report |
| Oradell BoroBergen County | Separate outside-operating moneyIs the story about grants, special revenue, capital, facilities, or debt rather than recurring operating spending? | Outside-operating familyAre capital projects, facilities acquisition, reserve withdrawals, or debt-service rows distorting all-funds comparisons? | $18,010#531 NJ / #73 county; real -$1,913 | Locally funded; One-time support; Side-file context88% local / 7% state; 0% transfers; 2% placement load | Real movementCapital, facilities, and debt moved -$1.8M since 2019-20Current scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 88% of operating scalePeer gapPreschool sits -13 pts vs county average | Capital proposal decreaseOperating -$518,000; cost line +$983; Capital outlay -$1.2M | Pull Grant schedules, capital/debt schedules, line-item budget, source-row proof sections, and project or bond records.Ask whether the signal belongs to grants, capital, facilities, or debt before reading it as recurring operating spending.Block Do not add outside-operating source-family rows into one operating total or treat them as ordinary classroom spending. | Open report |
| Palisades ParkBergen County | Separate outside-operating moneyIs the story about grants, special revenue, capital, facilities, or debt rather than recurring operating spending? | Outside-operating familyHow large are grant-funded or otherwise outside-operating programs relative to operating budgets? | $17,126#545 NJ / #75 county; real +$619 | Locally funded; One-time support; Outside-operating scale85% local / 9% state; <1% transfers; 4% placement load | Proposal moveCapital, facilities, and debt changes -$2.2M in the latest fileCurrent scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 85% of operating scalePeer gapSpecial revenue funds sits +29 pts vs county average | Mixed proposal movementOperating -$513,820; cost line +$486; Capital outlay -$849,759 | Pull Grant schedules, capital/debt schedules, line-item budget, source-row proof sections, and project or bond records.Ask whether the signal belongs to grants, capital, facilities, or debt before reading it as recurring operating spending.Block Do not add outside-operating source-family rows into one operating total or treat them as ordinary classroom spending. | Open report |
| Paramus BoroBergen County | Separate outside-operating moneyIs the story about grants, special revenue, capital, facilities, or debt rather than recurring operating spending? | Outside-operating familyAre capital projects, facilities acquisition, reserve withdrawals, or debt-service rows distorting all-funds comparisons? | $24,991#137 NJ / #21 county; real -$611 | Locally funded; Side-file context93% local / 6% state; <1% transfers; 1% placement load | Proposal moveCapital, facilities, and debt changes -$40.1M in the latest fileCurrent scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 93% of operating scale | Benefits drive proposed useOperating -$24.0M; cost line +$454; Capital outlay -$26.6M | Pull Grant schedules, capital/debt schedules, line-item budget, source-row proof sections, and project or bond records.Ask whether the signal belongs to grants, capital, facilities, or debt before reading it as recurring operating spending.Block Do not add outside-operating source-family rows into one operating total or treat them as ordinary classroom spending. | Open report |
| Park Ridge BoroBergen County | Compare cost positionIs the district expensive, or just in a high-cost peer group? | Cost positionWhy does this district sit high on the published comparative-cost line? | $30,263#46 NJ / #8 county; real +$1,190 | High comparative cost; Locally funded; High tax effort89% local / 4% state; 0% transfers; 3% placement load | Proposal moveCapital, facilities, and debt changes -$3.6M in the latest fileCurrent scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 90% of operating scalePeer gapPreschool sits -13 pts vs county average | Mixed proposal movementOperating -$922,167; cost line +$1,302; Capital outlay -$1.8M | Pull Budget presentation, adopted budget book, staffing/program notes, and local peer reports.Ask whether county, scale, grade span, placements, transfers, or side files explain the rank.Block Do not turn comparative cost into waste, quality, or adequacy by itself. | Open report |
| Pascack Valley RegionalBergen County | Compare cost positionIs the district expensive, or just in a high-cost peer group? | Cost positionWhy does this district sit high on the published comparative-cost line? | $32,606#32 NJ / #5 county; real +$2,888 | High comparative cost; Locally funded; High tax effort88% local / 5% state; <1% transfers; 4% placement load | Real movementCapital, facilities, and debt moved -$6.9M since 2019-20Current scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 90% of operating scalePeer gapPreschool sits -13 pts vs county average | Mixed proposal movementOperating +$1.3M; cost line +$576; General current +$1.3M | Pull Budget presentation, adopted budget book, staffing/program notes, and local peer reports.Ask whether county, scale, grade span, placements, transfers, or side files explain the rank.Block Do not turn comparative cost into waste, quality, or adequacy by itself. | Open report |
| Ramapo-Indian Hill RegBergen County | Compare cost positionIs the district expensive, or just in a high-cost peer group? | Cost positionWhy does this district sit high on the published comparative-cost line? | $30,602#45 NJ / #7 county; real +$4,569 | High comparative cost; Rising real cost; Locally funded86% local / 6% state; 0% transfers; 2% placement load | Real movementCapital, facilities, and debt moved -$6.9M since 2019-20Current scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 88% of operating scalePeer gapPreschool sits -13 pts vs county average | Mixed proposal movementOperating +$538,375; cost line +$787; General current +$1.4M | Pull Budget presentation, adopted budget book, staffing/program notes, and local peer reports.Ask whether county, scale, grade span, placements, transfers, or side files explain the rank.Block Do not turn comparative cost into waste, quality, or adequacy by itself. | Open report |
| Ramsey BoroBergen County | Compare cost positionIs the district expensive, or just in a high-cost peer group? | Cost positionWhy does this district sit high on the published comparative-cost line? | $29,853#49 NJ / #9 county; real +$2,810 | High comparative cost; Locally funded; High tax effort92% local / 5% state; 0% transfers; 1% placement load | Proposal moveFund balance and reserves changes -$6.4M in the latest fileCurrent scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 94% of operating scale | Mixed proposal movementOperating -$4.5M; cost line +$172; Capital outlay -$4.0M | Pull Budget presentation, adopted budget book, staffing/program notes, and local peer reports.Ask whether county, scale, grade span, placements, transfers, or side files explain the rank.Block Do not turn comparative cost into waste, quality, or adequacy by itself. | Open report |
| Ridgefield BoroBergen County | Check students and service loadIs a per-student comparison really about denominator, placements, or student need? | Student/service familyDo charter/Renaissance transfers, tuition, or purchased placements change the budget story? | $27,461#76 NJ / #13 county; real -$1,520 | Locally funded; One-time support; Side-file context79% local / 9% state; 0% transfers; 4% placement load | Real movementTransfers and tuition moved -$4.9M since 2019-20Proposal moveCapital, facilities, and debt changes -$4.0M in the latest fileCurrent scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 62% of operating scale | Mixed proposal movementOperating -$628,837; cost line -$40; Capital outlay -$1.8M | Pull Tuition and placement schedules, preschool aid records, service-load rows, contracts, and source-row proof sections.Ask whether transfers, tuition, preschool, or special-education/support rows explain the comparison frame.Block Do not treat source-family rows as audited service counts, quality, adequacy, or a complete program ledger. | Open report |
| Ridgefield Park TwpBergen County | Follow operating fundingDid the budget move toward local levy, state aid, federal revenue, or fund balance? | Operating funding familyWhich aid lines explain dependence on state funding or first-to-latest movement? | $26,050#104 NJ / #17 county; real +$7,939 | Rising real cost; Placement load; One-time support62% local / 32% state; <1% transfers; 8% placement load | Real movementState aid moved +$9.6M since 2019-20Proposal moveCapital, facilities, and debt changes +$3.3M in the latest fileCurrent scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 52% of operating scale | Proposed comparative cost increaseOperating +$3.6M; cost line +$1,777; General current +$2.8M | Pull State-aid notices, levy worksheet, fund-balance notes, source-row proof sections, and tax-impact materials.Ask whether the source-family signal is a current revenue scale issue, a peer gap, a real movement, or a proposal-column move.Block Do not read General Fund operating source rows as all-funds revenue, taxpayer burden, or proof of cause without local records. | Open report |
| Ridgewood VillageBergen County | Check students and service loadIs a per-student comparison really about denominator, placements, or student need? | Student/service familyIs preschool aid, carryover, instruction, or support service scale material? | $21,299#340 NJ / #50 county; real +$442 | Locally funded; One-time support; Side-file context87% local / 8% state; 0% transfers; 3% placement load | Proposal moveFund balance and reserves changes -$10.3M in the latest fileCurrent scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 87% of operating scalePeer gapPreschool sits -13 pts vs county average | Mixed proposal movementOperating -$3.4M; cost line +$850; Capital outlay -$5.6M | Pull Tuition and placement schedules, preschool aid records, service-load rows, contracts, and source-row proof sections.Ask whether transfers, tuition, preschool, or special-education/support rows explain the comparison frame.Block Do not treat source-family rows as audited service counts, quality, adequacy, or a complete program ledger. | Open report |
| River Dell RegionalBergen County | Separate outside-operating moneyIs the story about grants, special revenue, capital, facilities, or debt rather than recurring operating spending? | Outside-operating familyAre capital projects, facilities acquisition, reserve withdrawals, or debt-service rows distorting all-funds comparisons? | $21,682#310 NJ / #48 county; real -$1,986 | Locally funded; Placement load; Side-file context91% local / 7% state; 0% transfers; 6% placement load | Proposal moveCapital, facilities, and debt changes +$3.7M in the latest fileCurrent scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 93% of operating scale | Mixed proposal movementOperating +$774,662; cost line +$90; Benefits +$625,496 | Pull Grant schedules, capital/debt schedules, line-item budget, source-row proof sections, and project or bond records.Ask whether the signal belongs to grants, capital, facilities, or debt before reading it as recurring operating spending.Block Do not add outside-operating source-family rows into one operating total or treat them as ordinary classroom spending. | Open report |
| River Edge BoroBergen County | Check students and service loadIs a per-student comparison really about denominator, placements, or student need? | Student/service familyIs preschool aid, carryover, instruction, or support service scale material? | $18,287#520 NJ / #71 county; real +$201 | Locally funded; Side-file context84% local / 14% state; 0% transfers; <1% placement load | Current scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 86% of operating scalePeer gapPreschool sits -13 pts vs county average | Mixed proposal movementOperating +$634,317; cost line -$488; General current +$663,590 | Pull Tuition and placement schedules, preschool aid records, service-load rows, contracts, and source-row proof sections.Ask whether transfers, tuition, preschool, or special-education/support rows explain the comparison frame.Block Do not treat source-family rows as audited service counts, quality, adequacy, or a complete program ledger. | Open report |
| River Vale TwpBergen County | Follow operating fundingDid the budget move toward local levy, state aid, federal revenue, or fund balance? | Operating funding familyHow much of the budget story is local levy, tuition, fees, or miscellaneous local revenue? | $24,601#149 NJ / #23 county; real +$354 | Locally funded; Side-file context92% local / 5% state; 0% transfers; 2% placement load | Current scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 96% of operating scale | Mixed proposal movementOperating +$468,354; cost line +$377; General current +$1.1M | Pull State-aid notices, levy worksheet, fund-balance notes, source-row proof sections, and tax-impact materials.Ask whether the source-family signal is a current revenue scale issue, a peer gap, a real movement, or a proposal-column move.Block Do not read General Fund operating source rows as all-funds revenue, taxpayer burden, or proof of cause without local records. | Open report |
| Rochelle Park TwpBergen County | Check students and service loadIs a per-student comparison really about denominator, placements, or student need? | Student/service familyDo charter/Renaissance transfers, tuition, or purchased placements change the budget story? | $23,184#221 NJ / #35 county; real +$1,346 | Locally funded; High tax effort; Placement load87% local / 9% state; 1% transfers; 38% placement load | Real movementState aid moved +$747,518 since 2019-20Current scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 87% of operating scalePeer gapTransfers and tuition sits +14 pts vs county average | Transfer proposal increaseOperating +$360,695; cost line -$388; Benefits +$359,801 | Pull Tuition and placement schedules, preschool aid records, service-load rows, contracts, and source-row proof sections.Ask whether transfers, tuition, preschool, or special-education/support rows explain the comparison frame.Block Do not treat source-family rows as audited service counts, quality, adequacy, or a complete program ledger. | Open report |
| RockleighBergen County | Test one-time supportIs the budget leaning on fund balance, reserve withdrawals, or carryover that must be checked for recurrence? | One-time supportIs the budget using fund balance, reserve, or carryover support that needs a recurrence check? | n/an/a NJ / n/a county; real n/a | Locally funded; One-time support80% local / 5% state; 0% transfers; n/a placement load | Current scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 80% of operating scalePeer gapTransfers and tuition sits +56 pts vs county average | Tax levy drives proposalOperating +$104,974; cost line n/a; General current +$104,974 | Pull Fund-balance appropriation notes, reserve withdrawal rows, board minutes, and audit or ACFR schedules.Ask whether the source recurs, replaces aid or levy, bridges a one-year plan, or draws restricted reserves.Block Do not call planned source rows audited cash stress or recurring operating revenue. | Open report |
| Rutherford BoroBergen County | Separate outside-operating moneyIs the story about grants, special revenue, capital, facilities, or debt rather than recurring operating spending? | Outside-operating familyAre capital projects, facilities acquisition, reserve withdrawals, or debt-service rows distorting all-funds comparisons? | $19,021#485 NJ / #66 county; real -$352 | Locally funded; Placement load; Side-file context90% local / 7% state; <1% transfers; 6% placement load | Real movementCapital, facilities, and debt moved +$5.1M since 2019-20Current scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 94% of operating scale | Mixed proposal movementOperating +$1.3M; cost line +$734; General current +$2.4M | Pull Grant schedules, capital/debt schedules, line-item budget, source-row proof sections, and project or bond records.Ask whether the signal belongs to grants, capital, facilities, or debt before reading it as recurring operating spending.Block Do not add outside-operating source-family rows into one operating total or treat them as ordinary classroom spending. | Open report |
| Saddle Brook TwpBergen County | Check students and service loadIs a per-student comparison really about denominator, placements, or student need? | Student/service familyIs preschool aid, carryover, instruction, or support service scale material? | $20,083#425 NJ / #60 county; real -$383 | Locally funded; Side-file context90% local / 8% state; 1% transfers; 2% placement load | Proposal moveOther named rows changes -$3.0M in the latest fileCurrent scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 90% of operating scalePeer gapPreschool sits -13 pts vs county average | Mixed proposal movementOperating +$1.7M; cost line +$544; General current +$1.9M | Pull Tuition and placement schedules, preschool aid records, service-load rows, contracts, and source-row proof sections.Ask whether transfers, tuition, preschool, or special-education/support rows explain the comparison frame.Block Do not treat source-family rows as audited service counts, quality, adequacy, or a complete program ledger. | Open report |
| Saddle River BoroBergen County | Compare cost positionIs the district expensive, or just in a high-cost peer group? | Cost positionWhy does this district sit high on the published comparative-cost line? | $42,505#12 NJ / #2 county; real +$11,581 | High comparative cost; Rising real cost; Locally funded86% local / 5% state; 0% transfers; 162% placement load | Proposal moveCapital, facilities, and debt changes -$563,038 in the latest fileCurrent scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 88% of operating scalePeer gapTransfers and tuition sits +26 pts vs county average | Proposed comparative cost decreaseOperating -$441,392; cost line -$7,280; Capital outlay -$285,371 | Pull Budget presentation, adopted budget book, staffing/program notes, and local peer reports.Ask whether county, scale, grade span, placements, transfers, or side files explain the rank.Block Do not turn comparative cost into waste, quality, or adequacy by itself. | Open report |
| South Bergen Jointure ComBergen County | Read side-file contextWhich balances, reserves, unusual items, shared services, or listed roles change the story? | Balances and reservesDoes the close-year cushion change the budget interpretation? | n/an/a NJ / n/a county; real n/a | Locally funded; Side-file context100% local / n/a state; 0% transfers; 0% placement load | Current scaleTransportation represents 108% of operating scale | Mixed proposal movementOperating +$736,726; cost line n/a; Transportation +$925,026 | Pull Recap balance rows, audit or ACFR reserve schedules, board reserve actions, and budget notes.Ask what is restricted, recurring, planned drawdown, cushion, or close-year projection.Block Do not read recap balances as current operating appropriations or spendable cash. | Open report |
| South Hackensack TwpBergen County | Read the current proposalWhat changes now in the proposed column before the long-run trend is interpreted? | Current proposal changeWhat does the latest proposed budget column change right now? | $24,985#138 NJ / #22 county; real +$1,338 | Locally funded; High tax effort; Placement load89% local / 7% state; 0% transfers; 44% placement load | Proposal moveFederal grants changes -$447,615 in the latest fileCurrent scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 90% of operating scalePeer gapTransfers and tuition sits +16 pts vs county average | Proposed comparative cost decreaseOperating +$381,159; cost line -$4,401; General current +$381,159 | Pull Proposed budget, revised/current column support, adoption minutes, budget hearing deck, and district FAQ.Ask what is recurring, one-time, grant-funded, enrollment-driven, negotiated, or reclassified.Block Do not treat nominal proposal movement as an audited result or inflation-adjusted trend. | Open report |
| Teaneck TwpBergen County | Read side-file contextWhich balances, reserves, unusual items, shared services, or listed roles change the story? | Unusual and shared-service contextDo one-off explanations or shared-service rows change the first read? | $28,294#64 NJ / #12 county; real -$309 | Locally funded; Side-file context88% local / 8% state; 7% transfers; 4% placement load | Proposal moveCapital, facilities, and debt changes -$4.4M in the latest fileCurrent scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 89% of operating scalePeer gapSpecial revenue funds sits +9 pts vs county average | Proposed comparative cost increaseOperating -$119,760; cost line +$3,580; Capital outlay -$2.1M | Pull Unusual-item explanations, shared-service agreements, board minutes, contracts, and local savings support.Ask whether the row duplicates another source line, is one-time, district-entered, or locally verified.Block Do not add unusual rows or reported savings to operating totals. | Open report |
| Tenafly BoroBergen County | Check students and service loadIs a per-student comparison really about denominator, placements, or student need? | Student/service familyIs preschool aid, carryover, instruction, or support service scale material? | $22,889#239 NJ / #39 county; real +$883 | Locally funded; One-time support; Side-file context88% local / 7% state; 0% transfers; 3% placement load | Real movementCapital, facilities, and debt moved +$5.9M since 2019-20Current scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 92% of operating scalePeer gapPreschool sits -13 pts vs county average | Benefits drive proposed useOperating +$4.6M; cost line +$117; Capital outlay +$2.8M | Pull Tuition and placement schedules, preschool aid records, service-load rows, contracts, and source-row proof sections.Ask whether transfers, tuition, preschool, or special-education/support rows explain the comparison frame.Block Do not treat source-family rows as audited service counts, quality, adequacy, or a complete program ledger. | Open report |
| Upper Saddle River BoroBergen County | Test one-time supportIs the budget leaning on fund balance, reserve withdrawals, or carryover that must be checked for recurrence? | One-time supportIs the budget using fund balance, reserve, or carryover support that needs a recurrence check? | $26,213#99 NJ / #15 county; real +$766 | Locally funded; One-time support; Side-file context85% local / 5% state; 0% transfers; 1% placement load | Current scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 84% of operating scalePeer gapPreschool sits -13 pts vs county average | Mixed proposal movementOperating +$1.3M; cost line +$863; General current +$1.3M | Pull Fund-balance appropriation notes, reserve withdrawal rows, board minutes, and audit or ACFR schedules.Ask whether the source recurs, replaces aid or levy, bridges a one-year plan, or draws restricted reserves.Block Do not call planned source rows audited cash stress or recurring operating revenue. | Open report |
| Waldwick BoroBergen County | Test one-time supportIs the budget leaning on fund balance, reserve withdrawals, or carryover that must be checked for recurrence? | Fund balance/reserve familyIs the district leaning on fund balance, capital reserve, maintenance reserve, or similar one-time sources? | $22,890#238 NJ / #38 county; real +$1,077 | Locally funded; One-time support; Side-file context88% local / 6% state; 0% transfers; 2% placement load | Proposal moveFund balance and reserves changes -$11.9M in the latest fileCurrent scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 91% of operating scalePeer gapPreschool sits -13 pts vs county average | Capital proposal decreaseOperating -$5.0M; cost line +$1,271; Capital outlay -$6.1M | Pull Fund-balance appropriation notes, reserve withdrawal rows, recap schedules, board minutes, and audit or ACFR schedules.Ask whether the fund-balance or reserve row is recurring support, a one-year bridge, restricted, or paired with close-year balances.Block Do not call planned source-family rows audited cash stress, recurring revenue, or a structural deficit by themselves. | Open report |
| Wallington BoroBergen County | Test one-time supportIs the budget leaning on fund balance, reserve withdrawals, or carryover that must be checked for recurrence? | One-time supportIs the budget using fund balance, reserve, or carryover support that needs a recurrence check? | $18,180#524 NJ / #72 county; real -$612 | Placement load; One-time support; Side-file context57% local / 29% state; 2% transfers; 11% placement load | Real movementFund balance and reserves moved +$2.8M since 2019-20Proposal moveCapital, facilities, and debt changes -$1.5M in the latest fileCurrent scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 58% of operating scale | Mixed proposal movementOperating +$791,598; cost line +$119; General current +$2.0M | Pull Fund-balance appropriation notes, reserve withdrawal rows, board minutes, and audit or ACFR schedules.Ask whether the source recurs, replaces aid or levy, bridges a one-year plan, or draws restricted reserves.Block Do not call planned source rows audited cash stress or recurring operating revenue. | Open report |
| Westwood RegionalBergen County | Read side-file contextWhich balances, reserves, unusual items, shared services, or listed roles change the story? | Unusual and shared-service contextDo one-off explanations or shared-service rows change the first read? | $23,333#208 NJ / #33 county; real -$338 | Locally funded; One-time support; Side-file context88% local / 6% state; 0% transfers; 2% placement load | Proposal moveCapital, facilities, and debt changes -$7.0M in the latest fileCurrent scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 89% of operating scalePeer gapPreschool sits -13 pts vs county average | Mixed proposal movementOperating -$2.0M; cost line +$664; Capital outlay -$3.8M | Pull Unusual-item explanations, shared-service agreements, board minutes, contracts, and local savings support.Ask whether the row duplicates another source line, is one-time, district-entered, or locally verified.Block Do not add unusual rows or reported savings to operating totals. | Open report |
| Wood-Ridge BoroBergen County | Check students and service loadIs a per-student comparison really about denominator, placements, or student need? | Student/service familyIs preschool aid, carryover, instruction, or support service scale material? | $18,597#504 NJ / #70 county; real +$340 | Locally funded; Side-file context89% local / 8% state; <1% transfers; 4% placement load | Real movementSpecial education and student supports moved +$1.8M since 2019-20Current scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 83% of operating scalePeer gapPreschool sits -13 pts vs county average | Proposed comparative cost increaseOperating +$3.8M; cost line +$1,671; General current +$3.8M | Pull Tuition and placement schedules, preschool aid records, service-load rows, contracts, and source-row proof sections.Ask whether transfers, tuition, preschool, or special-education/support rows explain the comparison frame.Block Do not treat source-family rows as audited service counts, quality, adequacy, or a complete program ledger. | Open report |
| Woodcliff Lake BoroBergen County | Test one-time supportIs the budget leaning on fund balance, reserve withdrawals, or carryover that must be checked for recurrence? | Fund balance/reserve familyIs the district leaning on fund balance, capital reserve, maintenance reserve, or similar one-time sources? | $25,430#123 NJ / #19 county; real -$126 | Locally funded; Side-file context90% local / 5% state; 0% transfers; 2% placement load | Proposal moveFund balance and reserves changes -$3.6M in the latest fileReal movementCapital, facilities, and debt moved -$1.7M since 2019-20Current scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 93% of operating scale | Mixed proposal movementOperating -$1.1M; cost line -$256; Capital outlay -$1.4M | Pull Fund-balance appropriation notes, reserve withdrawal rows, recap schedules, board minutes, and audit or ACFR schedules.Ask whether the fund-balance or reserve row is recurring support, a one-year bridge, restricted, or paired with close-year balances.Block Do not call planned source-family rows audited cash stress, recurring revenue, or a structural deficit by themselves. | Open report |
| Wyckoff TwpBergen County | Separate outside-operating moneyIs the story about grants, special revenue, capital, facilities, or debt rather than recurring operating spending? | Outside-operating familyAre capital projects, facilities acquisition, reserve withdrawals, or debt-service rows distorting all-funds comparisons? | $21,805#299 NJ / #46 county; real -$3,384 | Locally funded; Side-file context92% local / 6% state; 0% transfers; 1% placement load | Real movementCapital, facilities, and debt moved -$4.0M since 2019-20Current scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 95% of operating scale | Mixed proposal movementOperating +$1.7M; cost line +$417; General current +$2.1M | Pull Grant schedules, capital/debt schedules, line-item budget, source-row proof sections, and project or bond records.Ask whether the signal belongs to grants, capital, facilities, or debt before reading it as recurring operating spending.Block Do not add outside-operating source-family rows into one operating total or treat them as ordinary classroom spending. | Open report |
| Bass River TwpBurlington County | Read the current proposalWhat changes now in the proposed column before the long-run trend is interpreted? | Current proposal changeWhat does the latest proposed budget column change right now? | n/an/a NJ / n/a county; real n/a | One-time support64% local / 15% state; 0% transfers; n/a placement load | Current scaleTransfers and tuition represents 81% of operating scale | Fund-balance proposal shiftOperating -$529,262; cost line n/a; General current -$529,262 | Pull Proposed budget, revised/current column support, adoption minutes, budget hearing deck, and district FAQ.Ask what is recurring, one-time, grant-funded, enrollment-driven, negotiated, or reclassified.Block Do not treat nominal proposal movement as an audited result or inflation-adjusted trend. | Open report |
| Beverly CityBurlington County | Check tax burdenIs the local burden about levy per student, estimated rate, tax base, or regional tax slices? | Tax effort and tax baseIs the local burden story about rate, levy per student, tax base, or regional slices? | $23,729#191 NJ / #6 county; real +$1,229 | Placement load; Side-file context28% local / 68% state; <1% transfers; 28% placement load | Current scaleState aid represents 77% of operating scale | Proposed comparative cost increaseOperating +$614,456; cost line +$1,785; General current +$586,149 | Pull Tax-rate side file, levy worksheet, municipal/regional slices, valuation notes, and budget tax-impact materials.Ask Separate levy per student, estimated rate, equalized value, and regional allocation before writing burden.Block Do not present estimated UFB tax-rate rows as tax-bill advice or audited property-tax data. | Open report |
| Bordentown RegionalBurlington County | Separate outside-operating moneyIs the story about grants, special revenue, capital, facilities, or debt rather than recurring operating spending? | Outside-operating familyAre capital projects, facilities acquisition, reserve withdrawals, or debt-service rows distorting all-funds comparisons? | $20,289#406 NJ / #23 county; real +$1,130 | Locally funded; Side-file context77% local / 18% state; <1% transfers; 3% placement load | Proposal moveCapital, facilities, and debt changes -$5.6M in the latest fileReal movementInstruction programs moved -$4.1M since 2019-20Current scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 80% of operating scale | Mixed proposal movementOperating -$3.7M; cost line -$255; Capital outlay -$1.9M | Pull Grant schedules, capital/debt schedules, line-item budget, source-row proof sections, and project or bond records.Ask whether the signal belongs to grants, capital, facilities, or debt before reading it as recurring operating spending.Block Do not add outside-operating source-family rows into one operating total or treat them as ordinary classroom spending. | Open report |
| Burlington CityBurlington County | Follow operating fundingDid the budget move toward local levy, state aid, federal revenue, or fund balance? | Operating funding familyHow much of the budget story is local levy, tuition, fees, or miscellaneous local revenue? | $25,465#121 NJ / #3 county; real +$195 | School-based budgeting; One-time support; Side-file context34% local / 52% state; <1% transfers; 3% placement load | Proposal moveSpecial revenue funds changes -$6.5M in the latest fileCurrent scaleState aid represents 60% of operating scalePeer gapLocal taxes and local sources sits -36 pts vs county average | Proposed comparative cost increaseOperating +$3.5M; cost line +$1,701; General current +$3.1M | Pull State-aid notices, levy worksheet, fund-balance notes, source-row proof sections, and tax-impact materials.Ask whether the source-family signal is a current revenue scale issue, a peer gap, a real movement, or a proposal-column move.Block Do not read General Fund operating source rows as all-funds revenue, taxpayer burden, or proof of cause without local records. | Open report |
| Burlington Co Spec ServBurlington County | Compare cost positionIs the district expensive, or just in a high-cost peer group? | Cost positionWhy does this district sit high on the published comparative-cost line? | $79,585#3 NJ / #1 county; real -$13,833 | High comparative cost; Locally funded; Side-file context100% local / n/a state; 0% transfers; 0% placement load | Current scaleTransfers and tuition represents 87% of operating scale | Mixed proposal movementOperating +$1.1M; cost line +$276; Benefits +$822,234 | Pull Budget presentation, adopted budget book, staffing/program notes, and local peer reports.Ask whether county, scale, grade span, placements, transfers, or side files explain the rank.Block Do not turn comparative cost into waste, quality, or adequacy by itself. | Open report |
| Burlington Co VocationalBurlington County | Check students and service loadIs a per-student comparison really about denominator, placements, or student need? | Student/service familyIs preschool aid, carryover, instruction, or support service scale material? | $18,363#517 NJ / #33 county; real -$2,938 | Side-file context58% local / 42% state; 0% transfers; 0% placement load | Proposal moveSpecial revenue funds changes -$4.4M in the latest fileCurrent scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 75% of operating scalePeer gapPreschool sits -20 pts vs county average | Mixed proposal movementOperating +$590,901; cost line +$1,093; General current +$1.4M | Pull Tuition and placement schedules, preschool aid records, service-load rows, contracts, and source-row proof sections.Ask whether transfers, tuition, preschool, or special-education/support rows explain the comparison frame.Block Do not treat source-family rows as audited service counts, quality, adequacy, or a complete program ledger. | Open report |
| Burlington TwpBurlington County | Separate outside-operating moneyIs the story about grants, special revenue, capital, facilities, or debt rather than recurring operating spending? | Outside-operating familyHow large are grant-funded or otherwise outside-operating programs relative to operating budgets? | $20,375#399 NJ / #22 county; real +$169 | Placement load; Side-file context61% local / 38% state; <1% transfers; 6% placement load | Real movementSpecial revenue funds moved +$8.9M since 2019-20Proposal moveCapital, facilities, and debt changes -$6.9M in the latest fileCurrent scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 64% of operating scalePeer gapTransfers and tuition sits -7 pts vs county average | Mixed proposal movementOperating -$1.7M; cost line +$1,021; Capital outlay -$4.7M | Pull Grant schedules, capital/debt schedules, line-item budget, source-row proof sections, and project or bond records.Ask whether the signal belongs to grants, capital, facilities, or debt before reading it as recurring operating spending.Block Do not add outside-operating source-family rows into one operating total or treat them as ordinary classroom spending. | Open report |
| Chesterfield TwpBurlington County | Check students and service loadIs a per-student comparison really about denominator, placements, or student need? | Student/service familyIs preschool aid, carryover, instruction, or support service scale material? | $20,731#373 NJ / #18 county; real +$1,386 | Outside-operating scale; Side-file context73% local / 23% state; <1% transfers; <1% placement load | Proposal movePreschool changes +$3.4M in the latest fileReal movementSpecial revenue funds moved +$2.8M since 2019-20Current scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 86% of operating scalePeer gapCapital, facilities, and debt sits +24 pts vs county average | Mixed proposal movementOperating -$346,653; cost line +$550; Capital outlay -$239,269 | Pull Tuition and placement schedules, preschool aid records, service-load rows, contracts, and source-row proof sections.Ask whether transfers, tuition, preschool, or special-education/support rows explain the comparison frame.Block Do not treat source-family rows as audited service counts, quality, adequacy, or a complete program ledger. | Open report |
| Cinnaminson TwpBurlington County | Follow operating fundingDid the budget move toward local levy, state aid, federal revenue, or fund balance? | Operating funding familyWhich aid lines explain dependence on state funding or first-to-latest movement? | $19,462#458 NJ / #28 county; real -$1,248 | One-time support; Side-file context59% local / 32% state; <1% transfers; 2% placement load | Real movementState aid moved +$11.9M since 2019-20Proposal movePreschool changes +$5.3M in the latest fileCurrent scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 60% of operating scalePeer gapTransfers and tuition sits -10 pts vs county average | Mixed proposal movementOperating +$276,872; cost line -$526; General current +$2.0M | Pull State-aid notices, levy worksheet, fund-balance notes, source-row proof sections, and tax-impact materials.Ask whether the source-family signal is a current revenue scale issue, a peer gap, a real movement, or a proposal-column move.Block Do not read General Fund operating source rows as all-funds revenue, taxpayer burden, or proof of cause without local records. | Open report |
| Delanco TwpBurlington County | Check students and service loadIs a per-student comparison really about denominator, placements, or student need? | Student/service familyIs preschool aid, carryover, instruction, or support service scale material? | $18,686#500 NJ / #30 county; real +$1,169 | Placement load; One-time support; Side-file context69% local / 20% state; <1% transfers; 31% placement load | Real movementState aid moved -$992,204 since 2019-20Proposal moveFederal grants changes -$412,422 in the latest fileCurrent scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 75% of operating scalePeer gapPreschool sits -20 pts vs county average | Mixed proposal movementOperating -$236,217; cost line -$268; General current -$383,874 | Pull Tuition and placement schedules, preschool aid records, service-load rows, contracts, and source-row proof sections.Ask whether transfers, tuition, preschool, or special-education/support rows explain the comparison frame.Block Do not treat source-family rows as audited service counts, quality, adequacy, or a complete program ledger. | Open report |
| Delran TwpBurlington County | Follow operating fundingDid the budget move toward local levy, state aid, federal revenue, or fund balance? | Operating funding familyWhich aid lines explain dependence on state funding or first-to-latest movement? | $20,411#395 NJ / #21 county; real +$1,945 | Side-file context53% local / 46% state; <1% transfers; 2% placement load | Real movementState aid moved +$10.1M since 2019-20Proposal moveCapital, facilities, and debt changes -$5.1M in the latest fileCurrent scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 56% of operating scalePeer gapPreschool sits -20 pts vs county average | Mixed proposal movementOperating -$1.7M; cost line +$516; Capital outlay -$2.5M | Pull State-aid notices, levy worksheet, fund-balance notes, source-row proof sections, and tax-impact materials.Ask whether the source-family signal is a current revenue scale issue, a peer gap, a real movement, or a proposal-column move.Block Do not read General Fund operating source rows as all-funds revenue, taxpayer burden, or proof of cause without local records. | Open report |
| Eastampton TwpBurlington County | Separate outside-operating moneyIs the story about grants, special revenue, capital, facilities, or debt rather than recurring operating spending? | Outside-operating familyHow large are grant-funded or otherwise outside-operating programs relative to operating budgets? | $16,859#550 NJ / #37 county; real -$880 | Side-file context55% local / 40% state; <1% transfers; 0% placement load | Real movementSpecial revenue funds moved +$2.5M since 2019-20Current scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 62% of operating scalePeer gapState aid sits +16 pts vs county average | Transfer proposal increaseOperating +$696,988; cost line -$30; General current +$515,687 | Pull Grant schedules, capital/debt schedules, line-item budget, source-row proof sections, and project or bond records.Ask whether the signal belongs to grants, capital, facilities, or debt before reading it as recurring operating spending.Block Do not add outside-operating source-family rows into one operating total or treat them as ordinary classroom spending. | Open report |
| Edgewater Park TwpBurlington County | Follow operating fundingDid the budget move toward local levy, state aid, federal revenue, or fund balance? | Operating funding familyHow much of the budget story is local levy, tuition, fees, or miscellaneous local revenue? | $22,600#251 NJ / #9 county; real +$2,571 | Placement load; One-time support; Side-file context35% local / 53% state; <1% transfers; 22% placement load | Proposal moveFund balance and reserves changes +$2.9M in the latest fileCurrent scaleState aid represents 58% of operating scalePeer gapLocal taxes and local sources sits -27 pts vs county average | State revenue drives proposalOperating +$2.3M; cost line -$199; General current +$1.8M | Pull State-aid notices, levy worksheet, fund-balance notes, source-row proof sections, and tax-impact materials.Ask whether the source-family signal is a current revenue scale issue, a peer gap, a real movement, or a proposal-column move.Block Do not read General Fund operating source rows as all-funds revenue, taxpayer burden, or proof of cause without local records. | Open report |
| Evesham TwpBurlington County | Read the current proposalWhat changes now in the proposed column before the long-run trend is interpreted? | Current proposal changeWhat does the latest proposed budget column change right now? | $18,063#528 NJ / #35 county; real -$2,558 | Locally funded; Side-file context91% local / 9% state; 0% transfers; 1% placement load | Real movementSpecial revenue funds moved +$10.9M since 2019-20Current scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 91% of operating scale | Tax levy drives proposalOperating +$11.9M; cost line +$402; Capital outlay +$6.1M | Pull Proposed budget, revised/current column support, adoption minutes, budget hearing deck, and district FAQ.Ask what is recurring, one-time, grant-funded, enrollment-driven, negotiated, or reclassified.Block Do not treat nominal proposal movement as an audited result or inflation-adjusted trend. | Open report |
| Florence TwpBurlington County | Separate outside-operating moneyIs the story about grants, special revenue, capital, facilities, or debt rather than recurring operating spending? | Outside-operating familyHow large are grant-funded or otherwise outside-operating programs relative to operating budgets? | $19,982#429 NJ / #27 county; real +$3,013 | Side-file context61% local / 36% state; 5% transfers; 3% placement load | Real movementSpecial revenue funds moved +$4.2M since 2019-20Proposal moveFederal grants changes -$4.0M in the latest fileCurrent scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 66% of operating scalePeer gapPreschool sits -7 pts vs county average | Tax levy drives proposalOperating +$2.5M; cost line +$1,097; General current +$3.4M | Pull Grant schedules, capital/debt schedules, line-item budget, source-row proof sections, and project or bond records.Ask whether the signal belongs to grants, capital, facilities, or debt before reading it as recurring operating spending.Block Do not add outside-operating source-family rows into one operating total or treat them as ordinary classroom spending. | Open report |
| Hainesport TwpBurlington County | Separate outside-operating moneyIs the story about grants, special revenue, capital, facilities, or debt rather than recurring operating spending? | Outside-operating familyHow large are grant-funded or otherwise outside-operating programs relative to operating budgets? | $21,736#308 NJ / #14 county; real +$1,095 | Locally funded; One-time support; Side-file context87% local / 7% state; <1% transfers; 2% placement load | Real movementSpecial revenue funds moved +$2.4M since 2019-20Proposal movePreschool changes +$750,088 in the latest fileCurrent scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 90% of operating scale | Mixed proposal movementOperating +$370,233; cost line +$593; General current +$621,754 | Pull Grant schedules, capital/debt schedules, line-item budget, source-row proof sections, and project or bond records.Ask whether the signal belongs to grants, capital, facilities, or debt before reading it as recurring operating spending.Block Do not add outside-operating source-family rows into one operating total or treat them as ordinary classroom spending. | Open report |
| Lenape RegionalBurlington County | Follow operating fundingDid the budget move toward local levy, state aid, federal revenue, or fund balance? | Operating funding familyWhich aid lines explain dependence on state funding or first-to-latest movement? | $22,630#249 NJ / #8 county; real -$1,558 | Locally funded; One-time support; Side-file context80% local / 12% state; <1% transfers; 2% placement load | Real movementInstruction programs moved -$16.5M since 2019-20Proposal moveOther named rows changes -$9.4M in the latest fileCurrent scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 84% of operating scalePeer gapState aid sits -26 pts vs county average | Mixed proposal movementOperating -$5.3M; cost line -$678; General current -$7.2M | Pull State-aid notices, levy worksheet, fund-balance notes, source-row proof sections, and tax-impact materials.Ask whether the source-family signal is a current revenue scale issue, a peer gap, a real movement, or a proposal-column move.Block Do not read General Fund operating source rows as all-funds revenue, taxpayer burden, or proof of cause without local records. | Open report |
| Lumberton TwpBurlington County | Separate outside-operating moneyIs the story about grants, special revenue, capital, facilities, or debt rather than recurring operating spending? | Outside-operating familyHow large are grant-funded or otherwise outside-operating programs relative to operating budgets? | $20,174#419 NJ / #26 county; real -$3,261 | Locally funded; One-time support; Side-file context76% local / 16% state; 0% transfers; 2% placement load | Real movementSpecial revenue funds moved +$5.6M since 2019-20Current scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 76% of operating scale | UFB denominator movesOperating +$1.7M; cost line +$181; General current +$2.0M | Pull Grant schedules, capital/debt schedules, line-item budget, source-row proof sections, and project or bond records.Ask whether the signal belongs to grants, capital, facilities, or debt before reading it as recurring operating spending.Block Do not add outside-operating source-family rows into one operating total or treat them as ordinary classroom spending. | Open report |
| Mansfield TwpBurlington County | Read the current proposalWhat changes now in the proposed column before the long-run trend is interpreted? | Current proposal changeWhat does the latest proposed budget column change right now? | $19,401#462 NJ / #29 county; real -$6,072 | Locally funded; One-time support; Side-file context83% local / 8% state; 1% transfers; 1% placement load | Real movementCapital, facilities, and debt moved -$2.6M since 2019-20Proposal moveOther named rows changes -$462,778 in the latest fileCurrent scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 82% of operating scalePeer gapState aid sits -29 pts vs county average | Proposed comparative cost decreaseOperating +$416,760; cost line -$4,150; General current +$414,368 | Pull Proposed budget, revised/current column support, adoption minutes, budget hearing deck, and district FAQ.Ask what is recurring, one-time, grant-funded, enrollment-driven, negotiated, or reclassified.Block Do not treat nominal proposal movement as an audited result or inflation-adjusted trend. | Open report |
| Maple Shade TwpBurlington County | Separate outside-operating moneyIs the story about grants, special revenue, capital, facilities, or debt rather than recurring operating spending? | Outside-operating familyAre capital projects, facilities acquisition, reserve withdrawals, or debt-service rows distorting all-funds comparisons? | $24,533#153 NJ / #5 county; real +$4,988 | Rising real cost; Side-file context50% local / 49% state; <1% transfers; 2% placement load | Proposal moveCapital, facilities, and debt changes -$11.5M in the latest fileCurrent scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 55% of operating scalePeer gapState aid sits +17 pts vs county average | Proposed comparative cost increaseOperating -$2.4M; cost line +$2,261; Capital outlay -$5.7M | Pull Grant schedules, capital/debt schedules, line-item budget, source-row proof sections, and project or bond records.Ask whether the signal belongs to grants, capital, facilities, or debt before reading it as recurring operating spending.Block Do not add outside-operating source-family rows into one operating total or treat them as ordinary classroom spending. | Open report |
| Medford Lakes BoroBurlington County | Follow operating fundingDid the budget move toward local levy, state aid, federal revenue, or fund balance? | Operating funding familyWhich aid lines explain dependence on state funding or first-to-latest movement? | $21,065#355 NJ / #16 county; real +$1,991 | One-time support; Side-file context74% local / 14% state; 0% transfers; 1% placement load | Proposal moveCapital, facilities, and debt changes +$573,832 in the latest fileCurrent scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 75% of operating scalePeer gapState aid sits -23 pts vs county average | Mixed proposal movementOperating +$607,808; cost line +$439; General current +$377,279 | Pull State-aid notices, levy worksheet, fund-balance notes, source-row proof sections, and tax-impact materials.Ask whether the source-family signal is a current revenue scale issue, a peer gap, a real movement, or a proposal-column move.Block Do not read General Fund operating source rows as all-funds revenue, taxpayer burden, or proof of cause without local records. | Open report |
| Medford TwpBurlington County | Read the current proposalWhat changes now in the proposed column before the long-run trend is interpreted? | Current proposal changeWhat does the latest proposed budget column change right now? | $16,779#553 NJ / #38 county; real -$5,671 | Locally funded; One-time support; Side-file context88% local / 8% state; <1% transfers; 1% placement load | Real movementSpecial revenue funds moved +$13.3M since 2019-20Current scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 91% of operating scale | Proposed comparative cost decreaseOperating +$4.3M; cost line -$2,808; General current +$4.9M | Pull Proposed budget, revised/current column support, adoption minutes, budget hearing deck, and district FAQ.Ask what is recurring, one-time, grant-funded, enrollment-driven, negotiated, or reclassified.Block Do not treat nominal proposal movement as an audited result or inflation-adjusted trend. | Open report |
| Moorestown TwpBurlington County | Follow operating fundingDid the budget move toward local levy, state aid, federal revenue, or fund balance? | Operating funding familyWhich aid lines explain dependence on state funding or first-to-latest movement? | $20,890#364 NJ / #17 county; real -$592 | Locally funded; One-time support; Side-file context84% local / 9% state; 0% transfers; 1% placement load | Proposal moveEmployee benefits changes +$2.6M in the latest fileCurrent scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 86% of operating scalePeer gapState aid sits -28 pts vs county average | Mixed proposal movementOperating +$3.1M; cost line +$67; General current +$3.2M | Pull State-aid notices, levy worksheet, fund-balance notes, source-row proof sections, and tax-impact materials.Ask whether the source-family signal is a current revenue scale issue, a peer gap, a real movement, or a proposal-column move.Block Do not read General Fund operating source rows as all-funds revenue, taxpayer burden, or proof of cause without local records. | Open report |
| Mount Holly TwpBurlington County | Follow operating fundingDid the budget move toward local levy, state aid, federal revenue, or fund balance? | Operating funding familyHow much of the budget story is local levy, tuition, fees, or miscellaneous local revenue? | $23,203#220 NJ / #7 county; real +$1,618 | Placement load; One-time support; Side-file context32% local / 56% state; <1% transfers; 7% placement load | Proposal moveSpecial revenue funds changes -$3.6M in the latest fileCurrent scaleState aid represents 63% of operating scalePeer gapLocal taxes and local sources sits -31 pts vs county average | Mixed proposal movementOperating +$639,711; cost line +$45; General current +$968,164 | Pull State-aid notices, levy worksheet, fund-balance notes, source-row proof sections, and tax-impact materials.Ask whether the source-family signal is a current revenue scale issue, a peer gap, a real movement, or a proposal-column move.Block Do not read General Fund operating source rows as all-funds revenue, taxpayer burden, or proof of cause without local records. | Open report |
| Mount Laurel TwpBurlington County | Separate outside-operating moneyIs the story about grants, special revenue, capital, facilities, or debt rather than recurring operating spending? | Outside-operating familyHow large are grant-funded or otherwise outside-operating programs relative to operating budgets? | $18,509#511 NJ / #31 county; real -$725 | Locally funded; Placement load; Outside-operating scale85% local / 11% state; <1% transfers; 16% placement load | Real movementSpecial revenue funds moved +$25.6M since 2019-20Proposal movePreschool changes +$6.1M in the latest fileCurrent scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 88% of operating scale | Mixed proposal movementOperating +$3.7M; cost line +$19; General current +$3.7M | Pull Grant schedules, capital/debt schedules, line-item budget, source-row proof sections, and project or bond records.Ask whether the signal belongs to grants, capital, facilities, or debt before reading it as recurring operating spending.Block Do not add outside-operating source-family rows into one operating total or treat them as ordinary classroom spending. | Open report |
| New Hanover TwpBurlington County | Read the current proposalWhat changes now in the proposed column before the long-run trend is interpreted? | Current proposal changeWhat does the latest proposed budget column change right now? | $20,230#413 NJ / #24 county; real -$9,008 | Placement load; One-time support; Outside-operating scale34% local / 48% state; 0% transfers; 13% placement load | Real movementPreschool moved +$2.0M since 2019-20Current scaleState aid represents 71% of operating scale | Proposed comparative cost decreaseOperating +$276,135; cost line -$3,056; General current +$443,685 | Pull Proposed budget, revised/current column support, adoption minutes, budget hearing deck, and district FAQ.Ask what is recurring, one-time, grant-funded, enrollment-driven, negotiated, or reclassified.Block Do not treat nominal proposal movement as an audited result or inflation-adjusted trend. | Open report |
| North Hanover TwpBurlington County | Read side-file contextWhich balances, reserves, unusual items, shared services, or listed roles change the story? | Balances and reservesDoes the close-year cushion change the budget interpretation? | $22,253#268 NJ / #12 county; real -$2,901 | Side-file context12% local / 62% state; 0% transfers; 2% placement load | Proposal moveCapital, facilities, and debt changes -$3.7M in the latest fileCurrent scaleState aid represents 101% of operating scale | State revenue drives proposalOperating -$434,360; cost line -$490; Capital outlay -$2.0M | Pull Recap balance rows, audit or ACFR reserve schedules, board reserve actions, and budget notes.Ask what is restricted, recurring, planned drawdown, cushion, or close-year projection.Block Do not read recap balances as current operating appropriations or spendable cash. | Open report |
| Northern Burlington RegBurlington County | Check students and service loadIs a per-student comparison really about denominator, placements, or student need? | Student/service familyIs preschool aid, carryover, instruction, or support service scale material? | $20,535#386 NJ / #19 county; real +$1,582 | Side-file context46% local / 48% state; <1% transfers; 2% placement load | Proposal moveCapital, facilities, and debt changes -$4.3M in the latest fileCurrent scaleState aid represents 51% of operating scalePeer gapPreschool sits -20 pts vs county average | Mixed proposal movementOperating +$150,817; cost line +$556; General current +$2.3M | Pull Tuition and placement schedules, preschool aid records, service-load rows, contracts, and source-row proof sections.Ask whether transfers, tuition, preschool, or special-education/support rows explain the comparison frame.Block Do not treat source-family rows as audited service counts, quality, adequacy, or a complete program ledger. | Open report |
| Palmyra BoroBurlington County | Follow operating fundingDid the budget move toward local levy, state aid, federal revenue, or fund balance? | Operating funding familyWhich aid lines explain dependence on state funding or first-to-latest movement? | $20,213#416 NJ / #25 county; real -$968 | One-time support; Side-file context56% local / 36% state; <1% transfers; 3% placement load | Real movementState aid moved +$3.8M since 2019-20Proposal moveFund balance and reserves changes -$2.3M in the latest fileCurrent scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 52% of operating scalePeer gapCapital, facilities, and debt sits +16 pts vs county average | Mixed proposal movementOperating -$775,407; cost line +$1,256; Capital outlay -$827,774 | Pull State-aid notices, levy worksheet, fund-balance notes, source-row proof sections, and tax-impact materials.Ask whether the source-family signal is a current revenue scale issue, a peer gap, a real movement, or a proposal-column move.Block Do not read General Fund operating source rows as all-funds revenue, taxpayer burden, or proof of cause without local records. | Open report |
| Pemberton TwpBurlington County | Follow operating fundingDid the budget move toward local levy, state aid, federal revenue, or fund balance? | Operating funding familyHow much of the budget story is local levy, tuition, fees, or miscellaneous local revenue? | $25,019#136 NJ / #4 county; real -$815 | School-based budgeting; One-time support; Side-file context24% local / 65% state; <1% transfers; 2% placement load | Current scaleState aid represents 76% of operating scalePeer gapLocal taxes and local sources sits -39 pts vs county average | State revenue drives proposalOperating +$5.3M; cost line +$1,024; School-based budgeting +$3.3M | Pull State-aid notices, levy worksheet, fund-balance notes, source-row proof sections, and tax-impact materials.Ask whether the source-family signal is a current revenue scale issue, a peer gap, a real movement, or a proposal-column move.Block Do not read General Fund operating source rows as all-funds revenue, taxpayer burden, or proof of cause without local records. | Open report |
| Rancocas Valley RegionalBurlington County | Read the current proposalWhat changes now in the proposed column before the long-run trend is interpreted? | Current proposal changeWhat does the latest proposed budget column change right now? | $18,281#521 NJ / #34 county; real -$1,085 | Placement load; Side-file context58% local / 39% state; <1% transfers; 6% placement load | Real movementCapital, facilities, and debt moved +$6.0M since 2019-20Current scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 61% of operating scalePeer gapPreschool sits -20 pts vs county average | Tax levy drives proposalOperating +$7.0M; cost line +$1,120; Capital outlay +$3.7M | Pull Proposed budget, revised/current column support, adoption minutes, budget hearing deck, and district FAQ.Ask what is recurring, one-time, grant-funded, enrollment-driven, negotiated, or reclassified.Block Do not treat nominal proposal movement as an audited result or inflation-adjusted trend. | Open report |
| Riverside TwpBurlington County | Follow operating fundingDid the budget move toward local levy, state aid, federal revenue, or fund balance? | Operating funding familyHow much of the budget story is local levy, tuition, fees, or miscellaneous local revenue? | $22,280#266 NJ / #11 county; real +$3,086 | One-time support; Outside-operating scale; Side-file context24% local / 65% state; <1% transfers; 2% placement load | Current scaleState aid represents 70% of operating scalePeer gapLocal taxes and local sources sits -41 pts vs county average | Proposed comparative cost increaseOperating +$2.8M; cost line +$2,029; General current +$1.8M | Pull State-aid notices, levy worksheet, fund-balance notes, source-row proof sections, and tax-impact materials.Ask whether the source-family signal is a current revenue scale issue, a peer gap, a real movement, or a proposal-column move.Block Do not read General Fund operating source rows as all-funds revenue, taxpayer burden, or proof of cause without local records. | Open report |
| RivertonBurlington County | Separate outside-operating moneyIs the story about grants, special revenue, capital, facilities, or debt rather than recurring operating spending? | Outside-operating familyHow large are grant-funded or otherwise outside-operating programs relative to operating budgets? | $21,792#303 NJ / #13 county; real +$2,235 | Locally funded; Placement load; Side-file context90% local / 6% state; 0% transfers; 21% placement load | Real movementSpecial revenue funds moved +$949,266 since 2019-20Proposal moveCapital, facilities, and debt changes -$311,806 in the latest fileCurrent scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 90% of operating scale | Mixed proposal movementOperating -$21,447; cost line -$1,089; Capital outlay -$150,911 | Pull Grant schedules, capital/debt schedules, line-item budget, source-row proof sections, and project or bond records.Ask whether the signal belongs to grants, capital, facilities, or debt before reading it as recurring operating spending.Block Do not add outside-operating source-family rows into one operating total or treat them as ordinary classroom spending. | Open report |
| Shamong TwpBurlington County | Follow operating fundingDid the budget move toward local levy, state aid, federal revenue, or fund balance? | Operating funding familyWhich aid lines explain dependence on state funding or first-to-latest movement? | $21,668#313 NJ / #15 county; real -$1,349 | One-time support; Side-file context74% local / 14% state; 0% transfers; 1% placement load | Proposal moveCapital, facilities, and debt changes +$439,721 in the latest fileCurrent scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 74% of operating scalePeer gapState aid sits -23 pts vs county average | Mixed proposal movementOperating +$228,511; cost line -$192; Capital outlay +$302,600 | Pull State-aid notices, levy worksheet, fund-balance notes, source-row proof sections, and tax-impact materials.Ask whether the source-family signal is a current revenue scale issue, a peer gap, a real movement, or a proposal-column move.Block Do not read General Fund operating source rows as all-funds revenue, taxpayer burden, or proof of cause without local records. | Open report |
| Southampton TwpBurlington County | Check students and service loadIs a per-student comparison really about denominator, placements, or student need? | Student/service familyIs preschool aid, carryover, instruction, or support service scale material? | $20,518#389 NJ / #20 county; real -$853 | Locally funded; One-time support; Side-file context83% local / 10% state; 0% transfers; 1% placement load | Proposal movePreschool changes +$3.3M in the latest fileReal movementSpecial revenue funds moved +$2.7M since 2019-20Current scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 86% of operating scale | Mixed proposal movementOperating -$599,290; cost line +$1,273; Capital outlay -$617,481 | Pull Tuition and placement schedules, preschool aid records, service-load rows, contracts, and source-row proof sections.Ask whether transfers, tuition, preschool, or special-education/support rows explain the comparison frame.Block Do not treat source-family rows as audited service counts, quality, adequacy, or a complete program ledger. | Open report |
| Springfield TwpBurlington County | Test one-time supportIs the budget leaning on fund balance, reserve withdrawals, or carryover that must be checked for recurrence? | Fund balance/reserve familyIs the district leaning on fund balance, capital reserve, maintenance reserve, or similar one-time sources? | $15,839#562 NJ / #39 county; real -$8,464 | Locally funded; One-time support; Side-file context79% local / 16% state; <1% transfers; <1% placement load | Proposal moveFund balance and reserves changes -$676,818 in the latest fileCurrent scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 84% of operating scalePeer gapState aid sits -21 pts vs county average | Fund-balance proposal shiftOperating -$491,100; cost line -$398; General current -$514,927 | Pull Fund-balance appropriation notes, reserve withdrawal rows, recap schedules, board minutes, and audit or ACFR schedules.Ask whether the fund-balance or reserve row is recurring support, a one-year bridge, restricted, or paired with close-year balances.Block Do not call planned source-family rows audited cash stress, recurring revenue, or a structural deficit by themselves. | Open report |
| Tabernacle TwpBurlington County | Separate outside-operating moneyIs the story about grants, special revenue, capital, facilities, or debt rather than recurring operating spending? | Outside-operating familyHow large are grant-funded or otherwise outside-operating programs relative to operating budgets? | $17,504#540 NJ / #36 county; real -$5,769 | Locally funded; Outside-operating scale; Side-file context79% local / 19% state; 0% transfers; <1% placement load | Real movementSpecial revenue funds moved +$3.4M since 2019-20Proposal movePreschool changes +$2.6M in the latest fileCurrent scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 79% of operating scale | Benefits drive proposed useOperating -$140,462; cost line +$78; Benefits +$548,831 | Pull Grant schedules, capital/debt schedules, line-item budget, source-row proof sections, and project or bond records.Ask whether the signal belongs to grants, capital, facilities, or debt before reading it as recurring operating spending.Block Do not add outside-operating source-family rows into one operating total or treat them as ordinary classroom spending. | Open report |
| Washington TwpBurlington County | Test one-time supportIs the budget leaning on fund balance, reserve withdrawals, or carryover that must be checked for recurrence? | Fund balance/reserve familyIs the district leaning on fund balance, capital reserve, maintenance reserve, or similar one-time sources? | n/an/a NJ / n/a county; real n/a | Locally funded; One-time support83% local / 10% state; 0% transfers; n/a placement load | Real movementFund balance and reserves moved -$788,428 since 2019-20Proposal moveOther named rows changes +$171,257 in the latest fileCurrent scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 70% of operating scalePeer gapTransfers and tuition sits +51 pts vs county average | Fund-balance proposal shiftOperating +$153,854; cost line n/a; General current +$155,738 | Pull Fund-balance appropriation notes, reserve withdrawal rows, recap schedules, board minutes, and audit or ACFR schedules.Ask whether the fund-balance or reserve row is recurring support, a one-year bridge, restricted, or paired with close-year balances.Block Do not call planned source-family rows audited cash stress, recurring revenue, or a structural deficit by themselves. | Open report |
| WestamptonBurlington County | Check students and service loadIs a per-student comparison really about denominator, placements, or student need? | Student/service familyIs preschool aid, carryover, instruction, or support service scale material? | $18,498#512 NJ / #32 county; real +$1,905 | Placement load; Outside-operating scale; Side-file context69% local / 28% state; 1% transfers; 8% placement load | Proposal movePreschool changes +$2.0M in the latest fileCurrent scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 74% of operating scalePeer gapSpecial revenue funds sits +11 pts vs county average | Proposed comparative cost increaseOperating +$1.7M; cost line +$1,814; General current +$1.8M | Pull Tuition and placement schedules, preschool aid records, service-load rows, contracts, and source-row proof sections.Ask whether transfers, tuition, preschool, or special-education/support rows explain the comparison frame.Block Do not treat source-family rows as audited service counts, quality, adequacy, or a complete program ledger. | Open report |
| Willingboro TwpBurlington County | Follow operating fundingDid the budget move toward local levy, state aid, federal revenue, or fund balance? | Operating funding familyHow much of the budget story is local levy, tuition, fees, or miscellaneous local revenue? | $22,372#259 NJ / #10 county; real +$3,255 | One-time support; Side-file context36% local / 55% state; 7% transfers; 3% placement load | Proposal moveFund balance and reserves changes +$8.5M in the latest fileCurrent scaleState aid represents 62% of operating scalePeer gapLocal taxes and local sources sits -25 pts vs county average | State revenue drives proposalOperating -$1.5M; cost line -$161; Capital outlay -$2.6M | Pull State-aid notices, levy worksheet, fund-balance notes, source-row proof sections, and tax-impact materials.Ask whether the source-family signal is a current revenue scale issue, a peer gap, a real movement, or a proposal-column move.Block Do not read General Fund operating source rows as all-funds revenue, taxpayer burden, or proof of cause without local records. | Open report |
| Woodland TwpBurlington County | Compare cost positionIs the district expensive, or just in a high-cost peer group? | Cost positionWhy does this district sit high on the published comparative-cost line? | $31,174#41 NJ / #2 county; real +$8,317 | High comparative cost; Rising real cost; Locally funded79% local / 10% state; 0% transfers; 4% placement load | Proposal moveTransfers and tuition changes +$166,091 in the latest fileCurrent scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 79% of operating scalePeer gapState aid sits -28 pts vs county average | Mixed proposal movementOperating -$18,044; cost line +$1,156; Capital outlay -$40,129 | Pull Budget presentation, adopted budget book, staffing/program notes, and local peer reports.Ask whether county, scale, grade span, placements, transfers, or side files explain the rank.Block Do not turn comparative cost into waste, quality, or adequacy by itself. | Open report |
| Audubon BoroCamden County | Explain categoriesWhich spending or revenue family makes the budget look different? | Spending/category familyWhich classroom or instructional program rows define the core spending structure? | $19,687#445 NJ / #27 county; real +$949 | Side-file context64% local / 34% state; 0% transfers; 1% placement load | Real movementSpecial revenue funds moved +$2.5M since 2019-20Proposal moveTransfers and tuition changes +$1.1M in the latest fileCurrent scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 57% of operating scalePeer gapInstruction programs sits +13 pts vs county average | Mixed proposal movementOperating +$2.0M; cost line +$893; General current +$2.0M | Pull Line-item budget, source-row proof sections, category atlas, proposal support, and local peer reports.Ask whether the named family is current scale, a peer gap, real movement, a current proposal move, or outside-operating context.Block Do not add nested source-family rows into one total or treat a family signal as cause, waste, adequacy, or recurring spending without local records. | Open report |
| Barrington BoroCamden County | Check tax burdenIs the local burden about levy per student, estimated rate, tax base, or regional tax slices? | Tax effort and tax baseIs the local burden story about rate, levy per student, tax base, or regional slices? | $21,612#317 NJ / #15 county; real +$343 | Placement load; Side-file context74% local / 22% state; <1% transfers; 41% placement load | Real movementCapital, facilities, and debt moved -$1.0M since 2019-20Current scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 77% of operating scale | Tax levy drives proposalOperating +$72,018; cost line -$568; General current +$537,582 | Pull Tax-rate side file, levy worksheet, municipal/regional slices, valuation notes, and budget tax-impact materials.Ask Separate levy per student, estimated rate, equalized value, and regional allocation before writing burden.Block Do not present estimated UFB tax-rate rows as tax-bill advice or audited property-tax data. | Open report |
| Bellmawr BoroCamden County | Follow operating fundingDid the budget move toward local levy, state aid, federal revenue, or fund balance? | Operating funding familyWhich federal rows are large, concentrated, or fading after pandemic-era aid? | $19,214#472 NJ / #29 county; real +$1,376 | Side-file context45% local / 53% state; <1% transfers; 2% placement load | Proposal moveFederal grants changes -$3.0M in the latest fileCurrent scaleState aid represents 64% of operating scale | Mixed proposal movementOperating -$827,830; cost line -$92; Capital outlay -$1.1M | Pull State-aid notices, levy worksheet, fund-balance notes, source-row proof sections, and tax-impact materials.Ask whether the source-family signal is a current revenue scale issue, a peer gap, a real movement, or a proposal-column move.Block Do not read General Fund operating source rows as all-funds revenue, taxpayer burden, or proof of cause without local records. | Open report |
| Berlin BoroCamden County | Separate outside-operating moneyIs the story about grants, special revenue, capital, facilities, or debt rather than recurring operating spending? | Outside-operating familyHow large are grant-funded or otherwise outside-operating programs relative to operating budgets? | $16,370#559 NJ / #36 county; real -$1,074 | Outside-operating scale; Side-file context55% local / 42% state; 0% transfers; 1% placement load | Real movementSpecial revenue funds moved +$3.1M since 2019-20Proposal moveCapital, facilities, and debt changes -$2.8M in the latest fileCurrent scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 56% of operating scalePeer gapTransfers and tuition sits -15 pts vs county average | Proposed comparative cost decreaseOperating -$419,680; cost line -$1,766; Capital outlay -$800,000 | Pull Grant schedules, capital/debt schedules, line-item budget, source-row proof sections, and project or bond records.Ask whether the signal belongs to grants, capital, facilities, or debt before reading it as recurring operating spending.Block Do not add outside-operating source-family rows into one operating total or treat them as ordinary classroom spending. | Open report |
| Berlin TwpCamden County | Check students and service loadIs a per-student comparison really about denominator, placements, or student need? | Student/service familyIs preschool aid, carryover, instruction, or support service scale material? | $23,078#226 NJ / #7 county; real +$5,156 | Rising real cost; Placement load; Side-file context57% local / 40% state; 0% transfers; 33% placement load | Real movementPreschool moved +$2.6M since 2019-20Proposal moveCapital, facilities, and debt changes -$895,085 in the latest fileCurrent scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 58% of operating scale | Mixed proposal movementOperating -$152,307; cost line +$1,288; Capital outlay -$298,277 | Pull Tuition and placement schedules, preschool aid records, service-load rows, contracts, and source-row proof sections.Ask whether transfers, tuition, preschool, or special-education/support rows explain the comparison frame.Block Do not treat source-family rows as audited service counts, quality, adequacy, or a complete program ledger. | Open report |
| Black Horse Pike RegionalCamden County | Separate outside-operating moneyIs the story about grants, special revenue, capital, facilities, or debt rather than recurring operating spending? | Outside-operating familyAre capital projects, facilities acquisition, reserve withdrawals, or debt-service rows distorting all-funds comparisons? | $20,539#385 NJ / #22 county; real -$1,369 | Side-file context46% local / 50% state; <1% transfers; 2% placement load | Real movementCapital, facilities, and debt moved -$13.0M since 2019-20Current scaleState aid represents 50% of operating scalePeer gapPreschool sits -18 pts vs county average | Fund-balance proposal shiftOperating -$966,236; cost line +$474; Capital outlay -$3.1M | Pull Grant schedules, capital/debt schedules, line-item budget, source-row proof sections, and project or bond records.Ask whether the signal belongs to grants, capital, facilities, or debt before reading it as recurring operating spending.Block Do not add outside-operating source-family rows into one operating total or treat them as ordinary classroom spending. | Open report |
| Brooklawn BoroCamden County | Separate outside-operating moneyIs the story about grants, special revenue, capital, facilities, or debt rather than recurring operating spending? | Outside-operating familyAre capital projects, facilities acquisition, reserve withdrawals, or debt-service rows distorting all-funds comparisons? | $22,126#278 NJ / #12 county; real +$4,078 | Rising real cost; State-funded; Placement load20% local / 76% state; 0% transfers; 29% placement load | Proposal moveCapital, facilities, and debt changes -$2.2M in the latest fileCurrent scaleState aid represents 81% of operating scale | Proposed comparative cost increaseOperating +$183,727; cost line +$1,951; General current +$731,444 | Pull Grant schedules, capital/debt schedules, line-item budget, source-row proof sections, and project or bond records.Ask whether the signal belongs to grants, capital, facilities, or debt before reading it as recurring operating spending.Block Do not add outside-operating source-family rows into one operating total or treat them as ordinary classroom spending. | Open report |
| Camden CityCamden County | Compare cost positionIs the district expensive, or just in a high-cost peer group? | Cost positionWhy does this district sit high on the published comparative-cost line? | $29,260#54 NJ / #2 county; real +$1,572 | High comparative cost; State-funded; Charter/Renaissance transfers4% local / 90% state; 54% transfers; 8% placement load | Real movementSpecial revenue funds moved -$51.6M since 2019-20Proposal moveFund balance and reserves changes -$41.8M in the latest fileCurrent scaleState aid represents 99% of operating scale | Proposed comparative cost decreaseOperating -$21.5M; cost line -$3,408; School-based budgeting -$12.4M | Pull Budget presentation, adopted budget book, staffing/program notes, and local peer reports.Ask whether county, scale, grade span, placements, transfers, or side files explain the rank.Block Do not turn comparative cost into waste, quality, or adequacy by itself. | Open report |
| Camden Co Ed Serv CommCamden County | Check labor and resourcesIs the budget story about salary-bearing categories, benefits, listed roles, or school-resource allocations? | Labor/resource familyAre administrative, central-service, board, legal, or technology rows unusually large or moving? | n/an/a NJ / n/a county; real n/a | Locally funded; Side-file context100% local / n/a state; 0% transfers; n/a placement load | Real movementAdministration and central services moved +$1.3M since 2019-20Current scaleTransportation represents 189% of operating scale | Mixed proposal movementOperating +$6.8M; cost line n/a; General current +$6.8M | Pull Pupil-cost salary and benefit rows, source-row proof sections, selected administrative salary rows, contracts, and staffing context.Ask whether benefit, administration, or resource rows are current scale, peer gap, real movement, or a latest proposal move.Block Do not treat source-family rows as full payroll, staffing counts, contracts, or total compensation. | Open report |
| Camden County VocationalCamden County | Follow operating fundingDid the budget move toward local levy, state aid, federal revenue, or fund balance? | Operating funding familyHow much of the budget story is local levy, tuition, fees, or miscellaneous local revenue? | $22,150#277 NJ / #11 county; real -$3,790 | One-time support; Side-file context26% local / 63% state; 0% transfers; 0% placement load | Real movementLocal taxes and local sources moved +$8.6M since 2019-20Proposal moveTransfers and tuition changes -$5.9M in the latest fileCurrent scaleState aid represents 63% of operating scalePeer gapPreschool sits -18 pts vs county average | Proposed comparative cost decreaseOperating -$4.9M; cost line -$1,608; Plant operations -$4.8M | Pull State-aid notices, levy worksheet, fund-balance notes, source-row proof sections, and tax-impact materials.Ask whether the source-family signal is a current revenue scale issue, a peer gap, a real movement, or a proposal-column move.Block Do not read General Fund operating source rows as all-funds revenue, taxpayer burden, or proof of cause without local records. | Open report |
| Cherry Hill TwpCamden County | Separate outside-operating moneyIs the story about grants, special revenue, capital, facilities, or debt rather than recurring operating spending? | Outside-operating familyAre capital projects, facilities acquisition, reserve withdrawals, or debt-service rows distorting all-funds comparisons? | $18,875#490 NJ / #31 county; real -$1,647 | Locally funded; One-time support; Outside-operating scale80% local / 12% state; <1% transfers; 1% placement load | Real movementCapital, facilities, and debt moved +$60.8M since 2019-20Proposal moveFederal grants changes -$12.3M in the latest fileCurrent scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 86% of operating scale | Proposed comparative cost decreaseOperating -$308,110; cost line -$1,848; Benefits +$3.3M | Pull Grant schedules, capital/debt schedules, line-item budget, source-row proof sections, and project or bond records.Ask whether the signal belongs to grants, capital, facilities, or debt before reading it as recurring operating spending.Block Do not add outside-operating source-family rows into one operating total or treat them as ordinary classroom spending. | Open report |
| ChesilhurstCamden County | Read the current proposalWhat changes now in the proposed column before the long-run trend is interpreted? | Current proposal changeWhat does the latest proposed budget column change right now? | n/an/a NJ / n/a county; real n/a | Placement load46% local / 53% state; 0% transfers; 15% placement load | Real movementFund balance and reserves moved -$1.2M since 2019-20Current scaleTransfers and tuition represents 75% of operating scale | Tax levy drives proposalOperating +$1.2M; cost line n/a; General current +$1.2M | Pull Proposed budget, revised/current column support, adoption minutes, budget hearing deck, and district FAQ.Ask what is recurring, one-time, grant-funded, enrollment-driven, negotiated, or reclassified.Block Do not treat nominal proposal movement as an audited result or inflation-adjusted trend. | Open report |
| Clementon BoroCamden County | Separate outside-operating moneyIs the story about grants, special revenue, capital, facilities, or debt rather than recurring operating spending? | Outside-operating familyHow large are grant-funded or otherwise outside-operating programs relative to operating budgets? | $20,382#398 NJ / #23 county; real +$822 | Placement load; One-time support; Outside-operating scale26% local / 68% state; <1% transfers; 33% placement load | Proposal moveSpecial revenue funds changes -$1.6M in the latest fileCurrent scaleState aid represents 75% of operating scale | Fund-balance proposal shiftOperating +$327,427; cost line -$475; Capital outlay +$446,482 | Pull Grant schedules, capital/debt schedules, line-item budget, source-row proof sections, and project or bond records.Ask whether the signal belongs to grants, capital, facilities, or debt before reading it as recurring operating spending.Block Do not add outside-operating source-family rows into one operating total or treat them as ordinary classroom spending. | Open report |
| Collingswood BoroCamden County | Separate outside-operating moneyIs the story about grants, special revenue, capital, facilities, or debt rather than recurring operating spending? | Outside-operating familyHow large are grant-funded or otherwise outside-operating programs relative to operating budgets? | $19,361#464 NJ / #28 county; real -$782 | Outside-operating scale; Side-file context71% local / 26% state; <1% transfers; 1% placement load | Current scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 58% of operating scalePeer gapSpecial revenue funds sits +15 pts vs county average | Tax levy drives proposalOperating +$4.6M; cost line +$886; General current +$4.0M | Pull Grant schedules, capital/debt schedules, line-item budget, source-row proof sections, and project or bond records.Ask whether the signal belongs to grants, capital, facilities, or debt before reading it as recurring operating spending.Block Do not add outside-operating source-family rows into one operating total or treat them as ordinary classroom spending. | Open report |
| Eastern Camden County RegCamden County | Follow operating fundingDid the budget move toward local levy, state aid, federal revenue, or fund balance? | Operating funding familyWhich aid lines explain dependence on state funding or first-to-latest movement? | $19,925#431 NJ / #26 county; real -$1,066 | One-time support; Side-file context70% local / 22% state; <1% transfers; 2% placement load | Real movementCapital, facilities, and debt moved +$3.3M since 2019-20Current scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 69% of operating scalePeer gapState aid sits -28 pts vs county average | Capital proposal decreaseOperating -$4.1M; cost line +$2; Capital outlay -$4.1M | Pull State-aid notices, levy worksheet, fund-balance notes, source-row proof sections, and tax-impact materials.Ask whether the source-family signal is a current revenue scale issue, a peer gap, a real movement, or a proposal-column move.Block Do not read General Fund operating source rows as all-funds revenue, taxpayer burden, or proof of cause without local records. | Open report |
| Gibbsboro BoroCamden County | Read the current proposalWhat changes now in the proposed column before the long-run trend is interpreted? | Current proposal changeWhat does the latest proposed budget column change right now? | $21,795#302 NJ / #14 county; real +$1,867 | One-time support; Outside-operating scale; Side-file context65% local / 31% state; 0% transfers; 1% placement load | Real movementSpecial revenue funds moved +$2.0M since 2019-20Proposal moveState aid changes -$161,678 in the latest fileCurrent scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 67% of operating scale | Proposed comparative cost decreaseOperating -$1,384; cost line -$3,278; Benefits +$151,746 | Pull Proposed budget, revised/current column support, adoption minutes, budget hearing deck, and district FAQ.Ask what is recurring, one-time, grant-funded, enrollment-driven, negotiated, or reclassified.Block Do not treat nominal proposal movement as an audited result or inflation-adjusted trend. | Open report |
| Gloucester CityCamden County | Test one-time supportIs the budget leaning on fund balance, reserve withdrawals, or carryover that must be checked for recurrence? | One-time supportIs the budget using fund balance, reserve, or carryover support that needs a recurrence check? | $21,031#357 NJ / #20 county; real -$1,394 | School-based budgeting; One-time support; Outside-operating scale15% local / 73% state; 1% transfers; 2% placement load | Proposal moveFederal grants changes -$5.7M in the latest fileCurrent scaleState aid represents 85% of operating scale | State revenue drives proposalOperating +$3.6M; cost line -$57; School-based budgeting +$2.1M | Pull Fund-balance appropriation notes, reserve withdrawal rows, board minutes, and audit or ACFR schedules.Ask whether the source recurs, replaces aid or levy, bridges a one-year plan, or draws restricted reserves.Block Do not call planned source rows audited cash stress or recurring operating revenue. | Open report |
| Gloucester TwpCamden County | Separate outside-operating moneyIs the story about grants, special revenue, capital, facilities, or debt rather than recurring operating spending? | Outside-operating familyHow large are grant-funded or otherwise outside-operating programs relative to operating budgets? | $18,479#513 NJ / #33 county; real -$282 | One-time support; Side-file context42% local / 51% state; <1% transfers; 4% placement load | Real movementSpecial revenue funds moved +$20.4M since 2019-20Proposal moveFund balance and reserves changes -$20.2M in the latest fileCurrent scaleState aid represents 58% of operating scalePeer gapTransfers and tuition sits -11 pts vs county average | Capital proposal decreaseOperating -$6.7M; cost line +$409; Capital outlay -$10.5M | Pull Grant schedules, capital/debt schedules, line-item budget, source-row proof sections, and project or bond records.Ask whether the signal belongs to grants, capital, facilities, or debt before reading it as recurring operating spending.Block Do not add outside-operating source-family rows into one operating total or treat them as ordinary classroom spending. | Open report |
| Haddon Heights BoroCamden County | Follow operating fundingDid the budget move toward local levy, state aid, federal revenue, or fund balance? | Operating funding familyWhich aid lines explain dependence on state funding or first-to-latest movement? | $19,119#478 NJ / #30 county; real +$111 | Locally funded; One-time support; Side-file context84% local / 8% state; 0% transfers; 1% placement load | Proposal moveCapital, facilities, and debt changes +$1.7M in the latest fileReal movementFund balance and reserves moved +$1.5M since 2019-20Current scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 57% of operating scalePeer gapState aid sits -38 pts vs county average | Mixed proposal movementOperating +$2.7M; cost line +$782; General current +$1.9M | Pull State-aid notices, levy worksheet, fund-balance notes, source-row proof sections, and tax-impact materials.Ask whether the source-family signal is a current revenue scale issue, a peer gap, a real movement, or a proposal-column move.Block Do not read General Fund operating source rows as all-funds revenue, taxpayer burden, or proof of cause without local records. | Open report |
| Haddon TwpCamden County | Check tax burdenIs the local burden about levy per student, estimated rate, tax base, or regional tax slices? | Tax effort and tax baseIs the local burden story about rate, levy per student, tax base, or regional slices? | $16,884#548 NJ / #34 county; real -$1,733 | Locally funded; Outside-operating scale; Side-file context76% local / 24% state; <1% transfers; 1% placement load | Real movementInstruction programs moved -$1.7M since 2019-20Current scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 82% of operating scale | Tax levy drives proposalOperating +$2.5M; cost line +$376; General current +$2.7M | Pull Tax-rate side file, levy worksheet, municipal/regional slices, valuation notes, and budget tax-impact materials.Ask Separate levy per student, estimated rate, equalized value, and regional allocation before writing burden.Block Do not present estimated UFB tax-rate rows as tax-bill advice or audited property-tax data. | Open report |
| Haddonfield BoroCamden County | Separate outside-operating moneyIs the story about grants, special revenue, capital, facilities, or debt rather than recurring operating spending? | Outside-operating familyAre capital projects, facilities acquisition, reserve withdrawals, or debt-service rows distorting all-funds comparisons? | $16,568#556 NJ / #35 county; real -$802 | Locally funded; Outside-operating scale; Side-file context89% local / 8% state; 0% transfers; 1% placement load | Proposal moveCapital, facilities, and debt changes -$3.6M in the latest fileCurrent scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 95% of operating scale | Mixed proposal movementOperating -$1.8M; cost line -$135; Capital outlay -$3.0M | Pull Grant schedules, capital/debt schedules, line-item budget, source-row proof sections, and project or bond records.Ask whether the signal belongs to grants, capital, facilities, or debt before reading it as recurring operating spending.Block Do not add outside-operating source-family rows into one operating total or treat them as ordinary classroom spending. | Open report |
| Hi NellaCamden County | Read the current proposalWhat changes now in the proposed column before the long-run trend is interpreted? | Current proposal changeWhat does the latest proposed budget column change right now? | n/an/a NJ / n/a county; real n/a | Side-file context44% local / 56% state; 1% transfers; n/a placement load | Real movementState aid moved +$394,332 since 2019-20Proposal moveFund balance and reserves changes -$164,400 in the latest fileCurrent scaleTransfers and tuition represents 84% of operating scale | Fund-balance proposal shiftOperating -$158,235; cost line n/a; General current -$170,523 | Pull Proposed budget, revised/current column support, adoption minutes, budget hearing deck, and district FAQ.Ask what is recurring, one-time, grant-funded, enrollment-driven, negotiated, or reclassified.Block Do not treat nominal proposal movement as an audited result or inflation-adjusted trend. | Open report |
| Laurel Springs BoroCamden County | Check students and service loadIs a per-student comparison really about denominator, placements, or student need? | Student/service familyIs preschool aid, carryover, instruction, or support service scale material? | $21,302#339 NJ / #18 county; real +$1,242 | Placement load; Side-file context45% local / 53% state; <1% transfers; 71% placement load | Proposal moveTransfers and tuition changes -$911,808 in the latest fileCurrent scaleState aid represents 53% of operating scalePeer gapPreschool sits -18 pts vs county average | Mixed proposal movementOperating -$671,131; cost line +$1,177; General current -$609,991 | Pull Tuition and placement schedules, preschool aid records, service-load rows, contracts, and source-row proof sections.Ask whether transfers, tuition, preschool, or special-education/support rows explain the comparison frame.Block Do not treat source-family rows as audited service counts, quality, adequacy, or a complete program ledger. | Open report |
| Lawnside BoroCamden County | Test one-time supportIs the budget leaning on fund balance, reserve withdrawals, or carryover that must be checked for recurrence? | One-time supportIs the budget using fund balance, reserve, or carryover support that needs a recurrence check? | $27,627#72 NJ / #3 county; real +$9,055 | Rising real cost; Placement load; One-time support35% local / 51% state; 1% transfers; 44% placement load | Proposal moveFederal grants changes -$1.2M in the latest fileCurrent scaleState aid represents 58% of operating scalePeer gapLocal taxes and local sources sits -9 pts vs county average | Proposed comparative cost increaseOperating +$367,697; cost line +$1,607; General current +$585,032 | Pull Fund-balance appropriation notes, reserve withdrawal rows, board minutes, and audit or ACFR schedules.Ask whether the source recurs, replaces aid or levy, bridges a one-year plan, or draws restricted reserves.Block Do not call planned source rows audited cash stress or recurring operating revenue. | Open report |
| Lindenwold BoroCamden County | Test one-time supportIs the budget leaning on fund balance, reserve withdrawals, or carryover that must be checked for recurrence? | One-time supportIs the budget using fund balance, reserve, or carryover support that needs a recurrence check? | $19,949#430 NJ / #25 county; real +$2,131 | One-time support; Outside-operating scale; Side-file context13% local / 69% state; <1% transfers; 5% placement load | Current scaleState aid represents 75% of operating scalePeer gapCapital, facilities, and debt sits +42 pts vs county average | Proposed comparative cost increaseOperating +$14.1M; cost line +$2,358; General current +$9.4M | Pull Fund-balance appropriation notes, reserve withdrawal rows, board minutes, and audit or ACFR schedules.Ask whether the source recurs, replaces aid or levy, bridges a one-year plan, or draws restricted reserves.Block Do not call planned source rows audited cash stress or recurring operating revenue. | Open report |
| Magnolia BoroCamden County | Test one-time supportIs the budget leaning on fund balance, reserve withdrawals, or carryover that must be checked for recurrence? | One-time supportIs the budget using fund balance, reserve, or carryover support that needs a recurrence check? | $25,569#118 NJ / #4 county; real +$490 | One-time support; Side-file context45% local / 34% state; <1% transfers; 2% placement load | Real movementPreschool moved +$2.3M since 2019-20Current scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 46% of operating scalePeer gapTransfers and tuition sits -13 pts vs county average | Mixed proposal movementOperating +$24,574; cost line -$124; General current +$71,064 | Pull Fund-balance appropriation notes, reserve withdrawal rows, board minutes, and audit or ACFR schedules.Ask whether the source recurs, replaces aid or levy, bridges a one-year plan, or draws restricted reserves.Block Do not call planned source rows audited cash stress or recurring operating revenue. | Open report |
| Merchantville BoroCamden County | Test one-time supportIs the budget leaning on fund balance, reserve withdrawals, or carryover that must be checked for recurrence? | One-time supportIs the budget using fund balance, reserve, or carryover support that needs a recurrence check? | $22,955#234 NJ / #8 county; real +$4,121 | Rising real cost; Placement load; One-time support44% local / 39% state; 2% transfers; 38% placement load | Real movementFund balance and reserves moved +$1.5M since 2019-20Current scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 44% of operating scalePeer gapPreschool sits -18 pts vs county average | Proposed comparative cost increaseOperating -$311,825; cost line +$1,924; Capital outlay -$1.7M | Pull Fund-balance appropriation notes, reserve withdrawal rows, board minutes, and audit or ACFR schedules.Ask whether the source recurs, replaces aid or levy, bridges a one-year plan, or draws restricted reserves.Block Do not call planned source rows audited cash stress or recurring operating revenue. | Open report |
| Mount Ephraim BoroCamden County | Separate outside-operating moneyIs the story about grants, special revenue, capital, facilities, or debt rather than recurring operating spending? | Outside-operating familyHow large are grant-funded or otherwise outside-operating programs relative to operating budgets? | $21,402#334 NJ / #17 county; real +$188 | Placement load; One-time support; Side-file context51% local / 37% state; 1% transfers; 37% placement load | Real movementSpecial revenue funds moved +$2.0M since 2019-20Current scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 54% of operating scalePeer gapTransfers and tuition sits +11 pts vs county average | Proposed comparative cost decreaseOperating -$457,641; cost line -$2,008; Capital outlay -$398,702 | Pull Grant schedules, capital/debt schedules, line-item budget, source-row proof sections, and project or bond records.Ask whether the signal belongs to grants, capital, facilities, or debt before reading it as recurring operating spending.Block Do not add outside-operating source-family rows into one operating total or treat them as ordinary classroom spending. | Open report |
| Oaklyn BoroCamden County | Check students and service loadIs a per-student comparison really about denominator, placements, or student need? | Student/service familyDo charter/Renaissance transfers, tuition, or purchased placements change the budget story? | $24,497#156 NJ / #6 county; real +$1,362 | Placement load; One-time support; Side-file context64% local / 28% state; <1% transfers; 80% placement load | Real movementPreschool moved +$570,782 since 2019-20Current scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 65% of operating scalePeer gapTransfers and tuition sits +22 pts vs county average | Proposed comparative cost increaseOperating +$274,655; cost line +$2,476; General current +$266,622 | Pull Tuition and placement schedules, preschool aid records, service-load rows, contracts, and source-row proof sections.Ask whether transfers, tuition, preschool, or special-education/support rows explain the comparison frame.Block Do not treat source-family rows as audited service counts, quality, adequacy, or a complete program ledger. | Open report |
| Pennsauken TwpCamden County | Test one-time supportIs the budget leaning on fund balance, reserve withdrawals, or carryover that must be checked for recurrence? | One-time supportIs the budget using fund balance, reserve, or carryover support that needs a recurrence check? | $24,583#150 NJ / #5 county; real +$1,100 | One-time support; Outside-operating scale; Side-file context27% local / 58% state; 7% transfers; 2% placement load | Proposal moveCapital, facilities, and debt changes -$21.6M in the latest fileCurrent scaleState aid represents 60% of operating scalePeer gapLocal taxes and local sources sits -18 pts vs county average | Proposed comparative cost increaseOperating -$893,971; cost line +$1,791; Capital outlay -$10.5M | Pull Fund-balance appropriation notes, reserve withdrawal rows, board minutes, and audit or ACFR schedules.Ask whether the source recurs, replaces aid or levy, bridges a one-year plan, or draws restricted reserves.Block Do not call planned source rows audited cash stress or recurring operating revenue. | Open report |
| Pine Hill BoroCamden County | Test one-time supportIs the budget leaning on fund balance, reserve withdrawals, or carryover that must be checked for recurrence? | One-time supportIs the budget using fund balance, reserve, or carryover support that needs a recurrence check? | $22,896#236 NJ / #9 county; real +$1,690 | Placement load; One-time support; Side-file context35% local / 50% state; <1% transfers; 6% placement load | Real movementCapital, facilities, and debt moved +$8.3M since 2019-20Proposal moveFederal grants changes -$6.0M in the latest fileCurrent scaleState aid represents 53% of operating scalePeer gapLocal taxes and local sources sits -23 pts vs county average | State revenue drives proposalOperating +$3.7M; cost line +$280; Capital outlay +$2.3M | Pull Fund-balance appropriation notes, reserve withdrawal rows, board minutes, and audit or ACFR schedules.Ask whether the source recurs, replaces aid or levy, bridges a one-year plan, or draws restricted reserves.Block Do not call planned source rows audited cash stress or recurring operating revenue. | Open report |
| Runnemede BoroCamden County | Check students and service loadIs a per-student comparison really about denominator, placements, or student need? | Student/service familyDo charter/Renaissance transfers, tuition, or purchased placements change the budget story? | $21,835#295 NJ / #13 county; real +$835 | One-time support; Side-file context43% local / 46% state; <1% transfers; 1% placement load | Proposal moveCapital, facilities, and debt changes +$926,185 in the latest fileCurrent scaleState aid represents 57% of operating scalePeer gapTransfers and tuition sits -18 pts vs county average | State revenue drives proposalOperating +$1.6M; cost line +$543; General current +$1.2M | Pull Tuition and placement schedules, preschool aid records, service-load rows, contracts, and source-row proof sections.Ask whether transfers, tuition, preschool, or special-education/support rows explain the comparison frame.Block Do not treat source-family rows as audited service counts, quality, adequacy, or a complete program ledger. | Open report |
| Somerdale BoroCamden County | Read the current proposalWhat changes now in the proposed column before the long-run trend is interpreted? | Current proposal changeWhat does the latest proposed budget column change right now? | $21,496#327 NJ / #16 county; real +$1,618 | One-time support; Side-file context50% local / 42% state; <1% transfers; 2% placement load | Real movementCapital, facilities, and debt moved -$1.3M since 2019-20Current scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 51% of operating scalePeer gapTransfers and tuition sits -15 pts vs county average | Fund-balance proposal shiftOperating -$1.7M; cost line +$736; Capital outlay -$2.3M | Pull Proposed budget, revised/current column support, adoption minutes, budget hearing deck, and district FAQ.Ask what is recurring, one-time, grant-funded, enrollment-driven, negotiated, or reclassified.Block Do not treat nominal proposal movement as an audited result or inflation-adjusted trend. | Open report |
| Sterling High School DistCamden County | Check students and service loadIs a per-student comparison really about denominator, placements, or student need? | Student/service familyIs preschool aid, carryover, instruction, or support service scale material? | $22,279#267 NJ / #10 county; real +$1,390 | Side-file context44% local / 55% state; <1% transfers; 2% placement load | Proposal moveCapital, facilities, and debt changes -$2.2M in the latest fileCurrent scaleState aid represents 55% of operating scalePeer gapPreschool sits -18 pts vs county average | Mixed proposal movementOperating -$552,725; cost line +$272; Capital outlay -$1.0M | Pull Tuition and placement schedules, preschool aid records, service-load rows, contracts, and source-row proof sections.Ask whether transfers, tuition, preschool, or special-education/support rows explain the comparison frame.Block Do not treat source-family rows as audited service counts, quality, adequacy, or a complete program ledger. | Open report |
| Stratford BoroCamden County | Separate outside-operating moneyIs the story about grants, special revenue, capital, facilities, or debt rather than recurring operating spending? | Outside-operating familyAre capital projects, facilities acquisition, reserve withdrawals, or debt-service rows distorting all-funds comparisons? | $21,222#343 NJ / #19 county; real +$1,307 | One-time support; Outside-operating scale; Side-file context47% local / 38% state; 0% transfers; 1% placement load | Real movementCapital, facilities, and debt moved +$3.7M since 2019-20Current scaleState aid represents 42% of operating scalePeer gapPreschool sits -18 pts vs county average | Capital proposal decreaseOperating -$1.6M; cost line +$108; Capital outlay -$2.3M | Pull Grant schedules, capital/debt schedules, line-item budget, source-row proof sections, and project or bond records.Ask whether the signal belongs to grants, capital, facilities, or debt before reading it as recurring operating spending.Block Do not add outside-operating source-family rows into one operating total or treat them as ordinary classroom spending. | Open report |
| Voorhees TwpCamden County | Separate outside-operating moneyIs the story about grants, special revenue, capital, facilities, or debt rather than recurring operating spending? | Outside-operating familyHow large are grant-funded or otherwise outside-operating programs relative to operating budgets? | $18,727#497 NJ / #32 county; real -$2,162 | Locally funded; One-time support; Outside-operating scale84% local / 10% state; 0% transfers; 3% placement load | Real movementSpecial revenue funds moved +$16.3M since 2019-20Proposal moveFund balance and reserves changes -$11.1M in the latest fileCurrent scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 84% of operating scale | Proposed comparative cost decreaseOperating -$8.6M; cost line -$2,281; Capital outlay -$6.7M | Pull Grant schedules, capital/debt schedules, line-item budget, source-row proof sections, and project or bond records.Ask whether the signal belongs to grants, capital, facilities, or debt before reading it as recurring operating spending.Block Do not add outside-operating source-family rows into one operating total or treat them as ordinary classroom spending. | Open report |
| Waterford TwpCamden County | Check students and service loadIs a per-student comparison really about denominator, placements, or student need? | Student/service familyDo charter/Renaissance transfers, tuition, or purchased placements change the budget story? | $20,795#367 NJ / #21 county; real -$4,578 | Placement load; One-time support; Side-file context48% local / 46% state; 0% transfers; 73% placement load | Real movementInstruction programs moved -$2.4M since 2019-20Current scaleState aid represents 55% of operating scalePeer gapTransfers and tuition sits +21 pts vs county average | Mixed proposal movementOperating +$333,511; cost line -$859; General current +$519,560 | Pull Tuition and placement schedules, preschool aid records, service-load rows, contracts, and source-row proof sections.Ask whether transfers, tuition, preschool, or special-education/support rows explain the comparison frame.Block Do not treat source-family rows as audited service counts, quality, adequacy, or a complete program ledger. | Open report |
| Winslow TwpCamden County | Test one-time supportIs the budget leaning on fund balance, reserve withdrawals, or carryover that must be checked for recurrence? | One-time supportIs the budget using fund balance, reserve, or carryover support that needs a recurrence check? | $20,059#426 NJ / #24 county; real -$1,927 | One-time support; Outside-operating scale; Side-file context42% local / 42% state; <1% transfers; 3% placement load | Real movementFund balance and reserves moved +$12.3M since 2019-20Proposal moveCapital, facilities, and debt changes -$6.0M in the latest fileCurrent scaleState aid represents 46% of operating scalePeer gapPreschool sits -10 pts vs county average | Mixed proposal movementOperating +$2.8M; cost line +$496; General current +$5.6M | Pull Fund-balance appropriation notes, reserve withdrawal rows, board minutes, and audit or ACFR schedules.Ask whether the source recurs, replaces aid or levy, bridges a one-year plan, or draws restricted reserves.Block Do not call planned source rows audited cash stress or recurring operating revenue. | Open report |
| Woodlynne BoroCamden County | Test one-time supportIs the budget leaning on fund balance, reserve withdrawals, or carryover that must be checked for recurrence? | One-time supportIs the budget using fund balance, reserve, or carryover support that needs a recurrence check? | $30,184#48 NJ / #1 county; real +$7,458 | High comparative cost; Rising real cost; Placement load11% local / 59% state; 2% transfers; 47% placement load | Real movementCapital, facilities, and debt moved +$9.8M since 2019-20Current scaleState aid represents 62% of operating scalePeer gapLocal taxes and local sources sits -36 pts vs county average | Proposed comparative cost increaseOperating -$363,652; cost line +$2,391; Capital outlay -$904,831 | Pull Fund-balance appropriation notes, reserve withdrawal rows, board minutes, and audit or ACFR schedules.Ask whether the source recurs, replaces aid or levy, bridges a one-year plan, or draws restricted reserves.Block Do not call planned source rows audited cash stress or recurring operating revenue. | Open report |
| Avalon BoroCape May County | Compare cost positionIs the district expensive, or just in a high-cost peer group? | Cost positionWhy does this district sit high on the published comparative-cost line? | $34,071#22 NJ / #4 county; real -$5,579 | High comparative cost; Locally funded; High tax effort91% local / 2% state; 0% transfers; 23% placement load | Real movementCapital, facilities, and debt moved -$1.0M since 2019-20Current scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 76% of operating scalePeer gapPreschool sits -21 pts vs county average | Mixed proposal movementOperating +$76,563; cost line +$659; General current +$160,703 | Pull Budget presentation, adopted budget book, staffing/program notes, and local peer reports.Ask whether county, scale, grade span, placements, transfers, or side files explain the rank.Block Do not turn comparative cost into waste, quality, or adequacy by itself. | Open report |
| Cape May CityCape May County | Test one-time supportIs the budget leaning on fund balance, reserve withdrawals, or carryover that must be checked for recurrence? | One-time supportIs the budget using fund balance, reserve, or carryover support that needs a recurrence check? | $32,053#38 NJ / #5 county; real +$3,013 | High comparative cost; One-time support; Outside-operating scale37% local / 22% state; 0% transfers; 4% placement load | Real movementPreschool moved +$2.1M since 2019-20Proposal moveCapital, facilities, and debt changes -$2.1M in the latest fileCurrent scaleState aid represents 52% of operating scale | Proposed comparative cost decreaseOperating -$888,717; cost line -$3,845; Capital outlay -$1.0M | Pull Fund-balance appropriation notes, reserve withdrawal rows, board minutes, and audit or ACFR schedules.Ask whether the source recurs, replaces aid or levy, bridges a one-year plan, or draws restricted reserves.Block Do not call planned source rows audited cash stress or recurring operating revenue. | Open report |
| Cape May Co Special ServCape May County | Compare cost positionIs the district expensive, or just in a high-cost peer group? | Cost positionWhy does this district sit high on the published comparative-cost line? | $62,303#6 NJ / #1 county; real -$8,387 | High comparative cost; Locally funded; Side-file context93% local / n/a state; 0% transfers; 0% placement load | Real movementLocal taxes and local sources moved +$3.3M since 2019-20Current scaleTransfers and tuition represents 62% of operating scalePeer gapSpecial education and student supports sits +39 pts vs county average | Proposed comparative cost increaseOperating +$870,888; cost line +$3,221; General current +$877,605 | Pull Budget presentation, adopted budget book, staffing/program notes, and local peer reports.Ask whether county, scale, grade span, placements, transfers, or side files explain the rank.Block Do not turn comparative cost into waste, quality, or adequacy by itself. | Open report |
| Cape May Co VocationalCape May County | Separate outside-operating moneyIs the story about grants, special revenue, capital, facilities, or debt rather than recurring operating spending? | Outside-operating familyHow large are grant-funded or otherwise outside-operating programs relative to operating budgets? | $25,072#134 NJ / #10 county; real -$8,149 | Locally funded; Side-file context89% local / 7% state; 0% transfers; 0% placement load | Proposal moveSpecial revenue funds changes -$1.4M in the latest fileCurrent scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 99% of operating scale | Mixed proposal movementOperating +$1.0M; cost line +$1,223; General current +$1.2M | Pull Grant schedules, capital/debt schedules, line-item budget, source-row proof sections, and project or bond records.Ask whether the signal belongs to grants, capital, facilities, or debt before reading it as recurring operating spending.Block Do not add outside-operating source-family rows into one operating total or treat them as ordinary classroom spending. | Open report |
| Cape May PointCape May County | Read the current proposalWhat changes now in the proposed column before the long-run trend is interpreted? | Current proposal changeWhat does the latest proposed budget column change right now? | n/an/a NJ / n/a county; real n/a | County peer baseline67% local / 1% state; 0% transfers; n/a placement load | Real movementFund balance and reserves moved +$50,521 since 2019-20Current scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 67% of operating scalePeer gapTransfers and tuition sits +33 pts vs county average | Fund-balance proposal shiftOperating +$38,024; cost line n/a; General current +$38,024 | Pull Proposed budget, revised/current column support, adoption minutes, budget hearing deck, and district FAQ.Ask what is recurring, one-time, grant-funded, enrollment-driven, negotiated, or reclassified.Block Do not treat nominal proposal movement as an audited result or inflation-adjusted trend. | Open report |
| Dennis TwpCape May County | Follow operating fundingDid the budget move toward local levy, state aid, federal revenue, or fund balance? | Operating funding familyWhich aid lines explain dependence on state funding or first-to-latest movement? | $20,809#366 NJ / #12 county; real -$2,036 | Locally funded; Placement load; Side-file context86% local / 10% state; <1% transfers; 26% placement load | Real movementState aid moved -$3.2M since 2019-20Current scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 84% of operating scale | Tax levy drives proposalOperating -$267,804; cost line +$1,543; Capital outlay -$961,807 | Pull State-aid notices, levy worksheet, fund-balance notes, source-row proof sections, and tax-impact materials.Ask whether the source-family signal is a current revenue scale issue, a peer gap, a real movement, or a proposal-column move.Block Do not read General Fund operating source rows as all-funds revenue, taxpayer burden, or proof of cause without local records. | Open report |
| Lower Cape May RegionalCape May County | Separate outside-operating moneyIs the story about grants, special revenue, capital, facilities, or debt rather than recurring operating spending? | Outside-operating familyAre capital projects, facilities acquisition, reserve withdrawals, or debt-service rows distorting all-funds comparisons? | $24,214#167 NJ / #11 county; real -$1,395 | Locally funded; Placement load; One-time support78% local / 13% state; <1% transfers; 6% placement load | Proposal moveCapital, facilities, and debt changes -$6.7M in the latest fileReal movementState aid moved -$6.6M since 2019-20Current scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 80% of operating scalePeer gapPreschool sits -21 pts vs county average | Capital proposal decreaseOperating -$2.6M; cost line +$21; Capital outlay -$3.2M | Pull Grant schedules, capital/debt schedules, line-item budget, source-row proof sections, and project or bond records.Ask whether the signal belongs to grants, capital, facilities, or debt before reading it as recurring operating spending.Block Do not add outside-operating source-family rows into one operating total or treat them as ordinary classroom spending. | Open report |
| Lower TwpCape May County | Follow operating fundingDid the budget move toward local levy, state aid, federal revenue, or fund balance? | Operating funding familyWhich aid lines explain dependence on state funding or first-to-latest movement? | $19,138#477 NJ / #14 county; real -$1,678 | Locally funded; One-time support; Outside-operating scale75% local / 15% state; 0% transfers; 1% placement load | Real movementState aid moved -$5.5M since 2019-20Proposal moveCapital, facilities, and debt changes -$1.4M in the latest fileCurrent scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 77% of operating scalePeer gapTransfers and tuition sits -26 pts vs county average | Mixed proposal movementOperating +$401,510; cost line -$507; General current +$942,690 | Pull State-aid notices, levy worksheet, fund-balance notes, source-row proof sections, and tax-impact materials.Ask whether the source-family signal is a current revenue scale issue, a peer gap, a real movement, or a proposal-column move.Block Do not read General Fund operating source rows as all-funds revenue, taxpayer burden, or proof of cause without local records. | Open report |
| Middle TwpCape May County | Separate outside-operating moneyIs the story about grants, special revenue, capital, facilities, or debt rather than recurring operating spending? | Outside-operating familyHow large are grant-funded or otherwise outside-operating programs relative to operating budgets? | $17,300#542 NJ / #16 county; real -$667 | Side-file context72% local / 26% state; <1% transfers; 4% placement load | Real movementSpecial revenue funds moved +$5.6M since 2019-20Current scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 68% of operating scalePeer gapState aid sits +15 pts vs county average | Mixed proposal movementOperating +$192,786; cost line -$91; Benefits +$1.1M | Pull Grant schedules, capital/debt schedules, line-item budget, source-row proof sections, and project or bond records.Ask whether the signal belongs to grants, capital, facilities, or debt before reading it as recurring operating spending.Block Do not add outside-operating source-family rows into one operating total or treat them as ordinary classroom spending. | Open report |
| North Wildwood CityCape May County | Compare cost positionIs the district expensive, or just in a high-cost peer group? | Cost positionWhy does this district sit high on the published comparative-cost line? | $55,374#7 NJ / #2 county; real +$10,767 | High comparative cost; Rising real cost; Locally funded84% local / 3% state; 0% transfers; 24% placement load | Proposal moveSpecial revenue funds changes -$681,080 in the latest fileCurrent scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 80% of operating scalePeer gapPreschool sits -14 pts vs county average | Proposed comparative cost increaseOperating +$93,540; cost line +$1,698; Benefits +$239,005 | Pull Budget presentation, adopted budget book, staffing/program notes, and local peer reports.Ask whether county, scale, grade span, placements, transfers, or side files explain the rank.Block Do not turn comparative cost into waste, quality, or adequacy by itself. | Open report |
| Ocean CityCape May County | Test one-time supportIs the budget leaning on fund balance, reserve withdrawals, or carryover that must be checked for recurrence? | Fund balance/reserve familyIs the district leaning on fund balance, capital reserve, maintenance reserve, or similar one-time sources? | $26,993#82 NJ / #8 county; real +$3,791 | Locally funded; One-time support; Outside-operating scale76% local / 10% state; 0% transfers; <1% placement load | Real movementFund balance and reserves moved +$6.3M since 2019-20Current scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 52% of operating scale | Mixed proposal movementOperating +$3.8M; cost line +$835; Capital outlay +$3.0M | Pull Fund-balance appropriation notes, reserve withdrawal rows, recap schedules, board minutes, and audit or ACFR schedules.Ask whether the fund-balance or reserve row is recurring support, a one-year bridge, restricted, or paired with close-year balances.Block Do not call planned source-family rows audited cash stress, recurring revenue, or a structural deficit by themselves. | Open report |
| Sea Isle CityCape May County | Check students and service loadIs a per-student comparison really about denominator, placements, or student need? | Student/service familyDo charter/Renaissance transfers, tuition, or purchased placements change the budget story? | n/an/a NJ / n/a county; real n/a | Locally funded; One-time support82% local / 5% state; 0% transfers; n/a placement load | Proposal moveFund balance and reserves changes +$176,091 in the latest fileCurrent scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 82% of operating scalePeer gapTransfers and tuition sits +33 pts vs county average | Fund-balance proposal shiftOperating +$169,831; cost line n/a; General current +$169,831 | Pull Tuition and placement schedules, preschool aid records, service-load rows, contracts, and source-row proof sections.Ask whether transfers, tuition, preschool, or special-education/support rows explain the comparison frame.Block Do not treat source-family rows as audited service counts, quality, adequacy, or a complete program ledger. | Open report |
| Stone Harbor BoroCape May County | Compare cost positionIs the district expensive, or just in a high-cost peer group? | Cost positionWhy does this district sit high on the published comparative-cost line? | $30,872#43 NJ / #6 county; real -$387 | High comparative cost; Locally funded; High tax effort96% local / 2% state; 0% transfers; 26% placement load | Proposal moveCapital, facilities, and debt changes -$442,361 in the latest fileCurrent scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 79% of operating scalePeer gapPreschool sits -21 pts vs county average | Mixed proposal movementOperating -$2,520; cost line +$1,577; Capital outlay -$226,991 | Pull Budget presentation, adopted budget book, staffing/program notes, and local peer reports.Ask whether county, scale, grade span, placements, transfers, or side files explain the rank.Block Do not turn comparative cost into waste, quality, or adequacy by itself. | Open report |
| Upper TwpCape May County | Follow operating fundingDid the budget move toward local levy, state aid, federal revenue, or fund balance? | Operating funding familyWhich aid lines explain dependence on state funding or first-to-latest movement? | $18,947#487 NJ / #15 county; real -$1,771 | Locally funded; Placement load; One-time support77% local / 10% state; <1% transfers; 40% placement load | Real movementState aid moved -$6.0M since 2019-20Proposal moveCapital, facilities, and debt changes +$3.2M in the latest fileCurrent scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 75% of operating scalePeer gapPreschool sits -13 pts vs county average | Mixed proposal movementOperating +$3.1M; cost line +$906; General current +$1.7M | Pull State-aid notices, levy worksheet, fund-balance notes, source-row proof sections, and tax-impact materials.Ask whether the source-family signal is a current revenue scale issue, a peer gap, a real movement, or a proposal-column move.Block Do not read General Fund operating source rows as all-funds revenue, taxpayer burden, or proof of cause without local records. | Open report |
| West Cape May BoroCape May County | Separate outside-operating moneyIs the story about grants, special revenue, capital, facilities, or debt rather than recurring operating spending? | Outside-operating familyHow large are grant-funded or otherwise outside-operating programs relative to operating budgets? | $28,780#58 NJ / #7 county; real +$8,366 | Rising real cost; Placement load; One-time support56% local / 33% state; 0% transfers; 25% placement load | Real movementSpecial revenue funds moved +$420,483 since 2019-20Proposal moveFederal grants changes -$130,176 in the latest fileCurrent scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 56% of operating scalePeer gapTransfers and tuition sits -25 pts vs county average | State revenue drives proposalOperating +$6,754; cost line -$855; Capital outlay +$26,112 | Pull Grant schedules, capital/debt schedules, line-item budget, source-row proof sections, and project or bond records.Ask whether the signal belongs to grants, capital, facilities, or debt before reading it as recurring operating spending.Block Do not add outside-operating source-family rows into one operating total or treat them as ordinary classroom spending. | Open report |
| West WildwoodCape May County | Test one-time supportIs the budget leaning on fund balance, reserve withdrawals, or carryover that must be checked for recurrence? | One-time supportIs the budget using fund balance, reserve, or carryover support that needs a recurrence check? | n/an/a NJ / n/a county; real n/a | One-time support64% local / 4% state; 4% transfers; n/a placement load | Proposal moveLocal taxes and local sources changes +$103,446 in the latest fileCurrent scaleTransfers and tuition represents 88% of operating scale | Tax levy drives proposalOperating +$146,321; cost line n/a; General current +$118,579 | Pull Fund-balance appropriation notes, reserve withdrawal rows, board minutes, and audit or ACFR schedules.Ask whether the source recurs, replaces aid or levy, bridges a one-year plan, or draws restricted reserves.Block Do not call planned source rows audited cash stress or recurring operating revenue. | Open report |
| Wildwood CityCape May County | Follow operating fundingDid the budget move toward local levy, state aid, federal revenue, or fund balance? | Operating funding familyWhich aid lines explain dependence on state funding or first-to-latest movement? | $25,760#112 NJ / #9 county; real +$1,234 | Locally funded; Placement load; One-time support83% local / 6% state; 0% transfers; 7% placement load | Real movementState aid moved -$4.8M since 2019-20Proposal moveSpecial revenue funds changes -$4.2M in the latest fileCurrent scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 75% of operating scalePeer gapTransfers and tuition sits -16 pts vs county average | Mixed proposal movementOperating -$834,278; cost line +$1,268; Capital outlay -$983,958 | Pull State-aid notices, levy worksheet, fund-balance notes, source-row proof sections, and tax-impact materials.Ask whether the source-family signal is a current revenue scale issue, a peer gap, a real movement, or a proposal-column move.Block Do not read General Fund operating source rows as all-funds revenue, taxpayer burden, or proof of cause without local records. | Open report |
| Wildwood Crest BoroCape May County | Compare cost positionIs the district expensive, or just in a high-cost peer group? | Cost positionWhy does this district sit high on the published comparative-cost line? | $46,959#10 NJ / #3 county; real +$12,903 | High comparative cost; Rising real cost; Locally funded81% local / 6% state; 0% transfers; 23% placement load | Real movementPreschool moved -$1.3M since 2019-20Current scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 81% of operating scalePeer gapTransfers and tuition sits -16 pts vs county average | Mixed proposal movementOperating +$375,319; cost line +$330; General current +$452,302 | Pull Budget presentation, adopted budget book, staffing/program notes, and local peer reports.Ask whether county, scale, grade span, placements, transfers, or side files explain the rank.Block Do not turn comparative cost into waste, quality, or adequacy by itself. | Open report |
| Woodbine BoroCape May County | Separate outside-operating moneyIs the story about grants, special revenue, capital, facilities, or debt rather than recurring operating spending? | Outside-operating familyAre capital projects, facilities acquisition, reserve withdrawals, or debt-service rows distorting all-funds comparisons? | $20,522#388 NJ / #13 county; real +$693 | Placement load; One-time support; Outside-operating scale30% local / 67% state; <1% transfers; 19% placement load | Proposal moveCapital, facilities, and debt changes -$942,042 in the latest fileCurrent scaleState aid represents 81% of operating scale | State revenue drives proposalOperating -$48,259; cost line -$1,285; Capital outlay -$481,867 | Pull Grant schedules, capital/debt schedules, line-item budget, source-row proof sections, and project or bond records.Ask whether the signal belongs to grants, capital, facilities, or debt before reading it as recurring operating spending.Block Do not add outside-operating source-family rows into one operating total or treat them as ordinary classroom spending. | Open report |
| Bridgeton CityCumberland County | Follow operating fundingDid the budget move toward local levy, state aid, federal revenue, or fund balance? | Operating funding familyWhich federal rows are large, concentrated, or fading after pandemic-era aid? | $25,903#108 NJ / #1 county; real +$5,061 | Rising real cost; State-funded; School-based budgeting3% local / 86% state; 2% transfers; 8% placement load | Proposal moveFederal grants changes -$28.9M in the latest fileCurrent scaleState aid represents 94% of operating scalePeer gapLocal taxes and local sources sits -27 pts vs county average | Capital proposal decreaseOperating -$5.4M; cost line +$1,444; Capital outlay -$14.7M | Pull State-aid notices, levy worksheet, fund-balance notes, source-row proof sections, and tax-impact materials.Ask whether the source-family signal is a current revenue scale issue, a peer gap, a real movement, or a proposal-column move.Block Do not read General Fund operating source rows as all-funds revenue, taxpayer burden, or proof of cause without local records. | Open report |
| Commercial TwpCumberland County | Check students and service loadIs a per-student comparison really about denominator, placements, or student need? | Student/service familyIs preschool aid, carryover, instruction, or support service scale material? | $18,028#530 NJ / #14 county; real +$81 | Placement load; One-time support; Side-file context18% local / 73% state; 1% transfers; 35% placement load | Real movementPreschool moved +$2.5M since 2019-20Proposal moveSpecial revenue funds changes -$862,528 in the latest fileCurrent scaleState aid represents 83% of operating scalePeer gapTransfers and tuition sits +20 pts vs county average | State revenue drives proposalOperating +$873,427; cost line +$586; Capital outlay +$579,972 | Pull Tuition and placement schedules, preschool aid records, service-load rows, contracts, and source-row proof sections.Ask whether transfers, tuition, preschool, or special-education/support rows explain the comparison frame.Block Do not treat source-family rows as audited service counts, quality, adequacy, or a complete program ledger. | Open report |
| Cumberland Co VocationalCumberland County | Check students and service loadIs a per-student comparison really about denominator, placements, or student need? | Student/service familyIs preschool aid, carryover, instruction, or support service scale material? | $21,478#329 NJ / #4 county; real -$197 | State-funded; One-time support; Side-file context13% local / 79% state; 0% transfers; 0% placement load | Proposal moveInstruction programs changes +$1.2M in the latest fileCurrent scaleState aid represents 79% of operating scalePeer gapPreschool sits -27 pts vs county average | Benefits drive proposed useOperating +$1.3M; cost line +$1,108; General current +$1.9M | Pull Tuition and placement schedules, preschool aid records, service-load rows, contracts, and source-row proof sections.Ask whether transfers, tuition, preschool, or special-education/support rows explain the comparison frame.Block Do not treat source-family rows as audited service counts, quality, adequacy, or a complete program ledger. | Open report |
| Cumberland RegionalCumberland County | Check students and service loadIs a per-student comparison really about denominator, placements, or student need? | Student/service familyIs preschool aid, carryover, instruction, or support service scale material? | $21,720#309 NJ / #3 county; real -$1,789 | Placement load; Side-file context33% local / 65% state; 0% transfers; 7% placement load | Proposal moveCapital, facilities, and debt changes -$3.1M in the latest fileCurrent scaleState aid represents 65% of operating scalePeer gapPreschool sits -27 pts vs county average | State revenue drives proposalOperating +$340,398; cost line +$1,335; General current +$1.8M | Pull Tuition and placement schedules, preschool aid records, service-load rows, contracts, and source-row proof sections.Ask whether transfers, tuition, preschool, or special-education/support rows explain the comparison frame.Block Do not treat source-family rows as audited service counts, quality, adequacy, or a complete program ledger. | Open report |
| Deerfield TwpCumberland County | Check students and service loadIs a per-student comparison really about denominator, placements, or student need? | Student/service familyIs preschool aid, carryover, instruction, or support service scale material? | $20,620#379 NJ / #8 county; real -$532 | One-time support; Outside-operating scale; Side-file context46% local / 49% state; 2% transfers; <1% placement load | Real movementPreschool moved +$2.0M since 2019-20Proposal moveCapital, facilities, and debt changes -$1.2M in the latest fileCurrent scaleState aid represents 64% of operating scalePeer gapLocal taxes and local sources sits +17 pts vs county average | Fund-balance proposal shiftOperating -$309,800; cost line +$294; Capital outlay -$708,598 | Pull Tuition and placement schedules, preschool aid records, service-load rows, contracts, and source-row proof sections.Ask whether transfers, tuition, preschool, or special-education/support rows explain the comparison frame.Block Do not treat source-family rows as audited service counts, quality, adequacy, or a complete program ledger. | Open report |
| Downe TwpCumberland County | Separate outside-operating moneyIs the story about grants, special revenue, capital, facilities, or debt rather than recurring operating spending? | Outside-operating familyAre capital projects, facilities acquisition, reserve withdrawals, or debt-service rows distorting all-funds comparisons? | $20,104#423 NJ / #9 county; real -$3,225 | Placement load; Outside-operating scale; Side-file context52% local / 48% state; 0% transfers; 12% placement load | Real movementCapital, facilities, and debt moved +$651,131 since 2019-20Proposal moveTransfers and tuition changes +$422,844 in the latest fileCurrent scaleState aid represents 60% of operating scalePeer gapLocal taxes and local sources sits +21 pts vs county average | Tax levy drives proposalOperating +$492,383; cost line -$802; General current +$462,383 | Pull Grant schedules, capital/debt schedules, line-item budget, source-row proof sections, and project or bond records.Ask whether the signal belongs to grants, capital, facilities, or debt before reading it as recurring operating spending.Block Do not add outside-operating source-family rows into one operating total or treat them as ordinary classroom spending. | Open report |
| Fairfield TwpCumberland County | Separate outside-operating moneyIs the story about grants, special revenue, capital, facilities, or debt rather than recurring operating spending? | Outside-operating familyHow large are grant-funded or otherwise outside-operating programs relative to operating budgets? | $18,533#509 NJ / #13 county; real -$109 | State-funded; Outside-operating scale; Side-file context22% local / 78% state; 3% transfers; 1% placement load | Real movementSpecial revenue funds moved -$1.5M since 2019-20Proposal moveLocal taxes and local sources changes +$976,471 in the latest fileCurrent scaleState aid represents 91% of operating scale | Tax levy drives proposalOperating +$1.4M; cost line +$1,351; General current +$1.4M | Pull Grant schedules, capital/debt schedules, line-item budget, source-row proof sections, and project or bond records.Ask whether the signal belongs to grants, capital, facilities, or debt before reading it as recurring operating spending.Block Do not add outside-operating source-family rows into one operating total or treat them as ordinary classroom spending. | Open report |
| Greenwich-Stow Creek RegionalCumberland County | Test one-time supportIs the budget leaning on fund balance, reserve withdrawals, or carryover that must be checked for recurrence? | One-time supportIs the budget using fund balance, reserve, or carryover support that needs a recurrence check? | $24,351#162 NJ / #2 county; real $0 | One-time support; Outside-operating scale; Side-file context50% local / 30% state; 0% transfers; 2% placement load | Proposal moveCapital, facilities, and debt changes -$465,772 in the latest fileCurrent scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 50% of operating scalePeer gapState aid sits -32 pts vs county average | Proposed comparative cost increaseOperating -$37,587; cost line +$2,954; Capital outlay -$229,336 | Pull Fund-balance appropriation notes, reserve withdrawal rows, board minutes, and audit or ACFR schedules.Ask whether the source recurs, replaces aid or levy, bridges a one-year plan, or draws restricted reserves.Block Do not call planned source rows audited cash stress or recurring operating revenue. | Open report |
| Hopewell TwpCumberland County | Check students and service loadIs a per-student comparison really about denominator, placements, or student need? | Student/service familyIs preschool aid, carryover, instruction, or support service scale material? | $19,536#454 NJ / #11 county; real +$2,017 | One-time support; Outside-operating scale; Side-file context42% local / 53% state; <1% transfers; 1% placement load | Real movementPreschool moved +$2.4M since 2019-20Proposal moveCapital, facilities, and debt changes -$881,856 in the latest fileCurrent scaleState aid represents 67% of operating scalePeer gapLocal taxes and local sources sits +12 pts vs county average | Proposed comparative cost increaseOperating +$807,090; cost line +$1,591; General current +$669,201 | Pull Tuition and placement schedules, preschool aid records, service-load rows, contracts, and source-row proof sections.Ask whether transfers, tuition, preschool, or special-education/support rows explain the comparison frame.Block Do not treat source-family rows as audited service counts, quality, adequacy, or a complete program ledger. | Open report |
| Lawrence TwpCumberland County | Test one-time supportIs the budget leaning on fund balance, reserve withdrawals, or carryover that must be checked for recurrence? | One-time supportIs the budget using fund balance, reserve, or carryover support that needs a recurrence check? | $19,846#437 NJ / #10 county; real +$3,319 | Placement load; One-time support; Side-file context23% local / 66% state; 0% transfers; 12% placement load | Real movementFund balance and reserves moved +$848,190 since 2019-20Current scaleState aid represents 74% of operating scalePeer gapPreschool sits -8 pts vs county average | State revenue drives proposalOperating +$1.1M; cost line +$958; General current +$870,642 | Pull Fund-balance appropriation notes, reserve withdrawal rows, board minutes, and audit or ACFR schedules.Ask whether the source recurs, replaces aid or levy, bridges a one-year plan, or draws restricted reserves.Block Do not call planned source rows audited cash stress or recurring operating revenue. | Open report |
| Maurice River TwpCumberland County | Check students and service loadIs a per-student comparison really about denominator, placements, or student need? | Student/service familyDo charter/Renaissance transfers, tuition, or purchased placements change the budget story? | $19,049#483 NJ / #12 county; real +$413 | Placement load; Side-file context33% local / 62% state; 1% transfers; 32% placement load | Current scaleState aid represents 71% of operating scalePeer gapTransfers and tuition sits +19 pts vs county average | State revenue drives proposalOperating -$84,219; cost line -$685; Plant operations -$283,627 | Pull Tuition and placement schedules, preschool aid records, service-load rows, contracts, and source-row proof sections.Ask whether transfers, tuition, preschool, or special-education/support rows explain the comparison frame.Block Do not treat source-family rows as audited service counts, quality, adequacy, or a complete program ledger. | Open report |
| Millville CityCumberland County | Explain categoriesWhich spending or revenue family makes the budget look different? | Spending/category familyWhich classroom or instructional program rows define the core spending structure? | $21,204#344 NJ / #5 county; real +$515 | State-funded; School-based budgeting; Side-file context22% local / 77% state; 4% transfers; 3% placement load | Real movementSpecial revenue funds moved -$8.0M since 2019-20Current scaleState aid represents 87% of operating scalePeer gapInstruction programs sits -19 pts vs county average | State revenue drives proposalOperating +$4.4M; cost line +$970; School-based budgeting +$3.0M | Pull Line-item budget, source-row proof sections, category atlas, proposal support, and local peer reports.Ask whether the named family is current scale, a peer gap, real movement, a current proposal move, or outside-operating context.Block Do not add nested source-family rows into one total or treat a family signal as cause, waste, adequacy, or recurring spending without local records. | Open report |
| Upper Deerfield TwpCumberland County | Test one-time supportIs the budget leaning on fund balance, reserve withdrawals, or carryover that must be checked for recurrence? | One-time supportIs the budget using fund balance, reserve, or carryover support that needs a recurrence check? | $20,760#370 NJ / #6 county; real -$779 | One-time support; Side-file context35% local / 53% state; 2% transfers; 2% placement load | Proposal moveFund balance and reserves changes +$2.2M in the latest fileCurrent scaleState aid represents 65% of operating scale | Proposed comparative cost decreaseOperating +$2.4M; cost line -$1,974; General current +$1.8M | Pull Fund-balance appropriation notes, reserve withdrawal rows, board minutes, and audit or ACFR schedules.Ask whether the source recurs, replaces aid or levy, bridges a one-year plan, or draws restricted reserves.Block Do not call planned source rows audited cash stress or recurring operating revenue. | Open report |
| Vineland CityCumberland County | Explain categoriesWhich spending or revenue family makes the budget look different? | Spending/category familyWhich classroom or instructional program rows define the core spending structure? | $20,678#376 NJ / #7 county; real +$1,001 | State-funded; School-based budgeting; Placement load17% local / 76% state; 3% transfers; 13% placement load | Current scaleState aid represents 87% of operating scalePeer gapInstruction programs sits -18 pts vs county average | Proposed comparative cost increaseOperating +$12.0M; cost line +$1,604; School-based budgeting +$6.5M | Pull Line-item budget, source-row proof sections, category atlas, proposal support, and local peer reports.Ask whether the named family is current scale, a peer gap, real movement, a current proposal move, or outside-operating context.Block Do not add nested source-family rows into one total or treat a family signal as cause, waste, adequacy, or recurring spending without local records. | Open report |
| Belleville TownEssex County | Read the current proposalWhat changes now in the proposed column before the long-run trend is interpreted? | Current proposal changeWhat does the latest proposed budget column change right now? | $18,971#486 NJ / #20 county; real +$1,808 | Side-file context41% local / 56% state; 2% transfers; 1% placement load | Proposal moveCapital, facilities, and debt changes +$9.0M in the latest fileCurrent scaleState aid represents 64% of operating scale | Proposed comparative cost decreaseOperating +$6.3M; cost line -$2,677; Capital outlay +$4.3M | Pull Proposed budget, revised/current column support, adoption minutes, budget hearing deck, and district FAQ.Ask what is recurring, one-time, grant-funded, enrollment-driven, negotiated, or reclassified.Block Do not treat nominal proposal movement as an audited result or inflation-adjusted trend. | Open report |
| Bloomfield TwpEssex County | Check students and service loadIs a per-student comparison really about denominator, placements, or student need? | Student/service familyIs preschool aid, carryover, instruction, or support service scale material? | $19,293#466 NJ / #19 county; real +$143 | Side-file context60% local / 37% state; 1% transfers; 1% placement load | Real movementState aid moved +$13.3M since 2019-20Proposal moveEmployee benefits changes +$2.0M in the latest fileCurrent scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 61% of operating scalePeer gapPreschool sits -17 pts vs county average | Mixed proposal movementOperating +$1.5M; cost line +$304; General current +$3.1M | Pull Tuition and placement schedules, preschool aid records, service-load rows, contracts, and source-row proof sections.Ask whether transfers, tuition, preschool, or special-education/support rows explain the comparison frame.Block Do not treat source-family rows as audited service counts, quality, adequacy, or a complete program ledger. | Open report |
| Caldwell-West CaldwellEssex County | Test one-time supportIs the budget leaning on fund balance, reserve withdrawals, or carryover that must be checked for recurrence? | Fund balance/reserve familyIs the district leaning on fund balance, capital reserve, maintenance reserve, or similar one-time sources? | $21,077#351 NJ / #14 county; real +$303 | Locally funded; Outside-operating scale; Side-file context86% local / 6% state; 0% transfers; 2% placement load | Real movementFund balance and reserves moved +$10.8M since 2019-20Current scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 89% of operating scalePeer gapState aid sits -25 pts vs county average | Mixed proposal movementOperating +$3.3M; cost line -$154; Capital outlay +$3.7M | Pull Fund-balance appropriation notes, reserve withdrawal rows, recap schedules, board minutes, and audit or ACFR schedules.Ask whether the fund-balance or reserve row is recurring support, a one-year bridge, restricted, or paired with close-year balances.Block Do not call planned source-family rows audited cash stress, recurring revenue, or a structural deficit by themselves. | Open report |
| Cedar Grove TwpEssex County | Follow operating fundingDid the budget move toward local levy, state aid, federal revenue, or fund balance? | Operating funding familyWhich aid lines explain dependence on state funding or first-to-latest movement? | $22,067#279 NJ / #10 county; real +$693 | Locally funded; Side-file context88% local / 7% state; <1% transfers; 2% placement load | Proposal moveFederal grants changes -$2.6M in the latest fileCurrent scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 89% of operating scalePeer gapState aid sits -23 pts vs county average | Mixed proposal movementOperating +$1.2M; cost line +$182; General current +$1.2M | Pull State-aid notices, levy worksheet, fund-balance notes, source-row proof sections, and tax-impact materials.Ask whether the source-family signal is a current revenue scale issue, a peer gap, a real movement, or a proposal-column move.Block Do not read General Fund operating source rows as all-funds revenue, taxpayer burden, or proof of cause without local records. | Open report |
| City of Orange TwpEssex County | Separate outside-operating moneyIs the story about grants, special revenue, capital, facilities, or debt rather than recurring operating spending? | Outside-operating familyAre capital projects, facilities acquisition, reserve withdrawals, or debt-service rows distorting all-funds comparisons? | $23,272#212 NJ / #7 county; real +$1,464 | State-funded; School-based budgeting; Side-file context9% local / 91% state; 4% transfers; 4% placement load | Proposal moveCapital, facilities, and debt changes -$29.4M in the latest fileCurrent scaleState aid represents 99% of operating scale | State revenue drives proposalOperating -$9.3M; cost line +$688; Capital outlay -$14.7M | Pull Grant schedules, capital/debt schedules, line-item budget, source-row proof sections, and project or bond records.Ask whether the signal belongs to grants, capital, facilities, or debt before reading it as recurring operating spending.Block Do not add outside-operating source-family rows into one operating total or treat them as ordinary classroom spending. | Open report |
| East OrangeEssex County | Explain categoriesWhich spending or revenue family makes the budget look different? | Spending/category familyDo school-level allocations show up as a material budgeting model or comparison slice? | $20,415#394 NJ / #15 county; real -$2,975 | State-funded; Charter/Renaissance transfers; School-based budgeting17% local / 82% state; 14% transfers; 6% placement load | Real movementSchool-based budgeting moved -$42.6M since 2019-20Proposal moveFederal grants changes -$17.8M in the latest fileCurrent scaleState aid represents 93% of operating scale | State revenue drives proposalOperating +$7.1M; cost line -$969; Plant operations +$8.4M | Pull Line-item budget, source-row proof sections, category atlas, proposal support, and local peer reports.Ask whether the named family is current scale, a peer gap, real movement, a current proposal move, or outside-operating context.Block Do not add nested source-family rows into one total or treat a family signal as cause, waste, adequacy, or recurring spending without local records. | Open report |
| Essex Co Ed Serv CommEssex County | Test one-time supportIs the budget leaning on fund balance, reserve withdrawals, or carryover that must be checked for recurrence? | One-time supportIs the budget using fund balance, reserve, or carryover support that needs a recurrence check? | n/an/a NJ / n/a county; real n/a | One-time support; Outside-operating scale; Side-file context72% local / n/a state; 0% transfers; 0% placement load | Real movementTransportation moved -$83.1M since 2019-20Proposal moveOther named rows changes +$510,242 in the latest fileCurrent scaleTransfers and tuition represents 48% of operating scalePeer gapLocal taxes and local sources sits -43 pts vs county average | Mixed proposal movementOperating -$35,370; cost line n/a; General current -$428,764 | Pull Fund-balance appropriation notes, reserve withdrawal rows, board minutes, and audit or ACFR schedules.Ask whether the source recurs, replaces aid or levy, bridges a one-year plan, or draws restricted reserves.Block Do not call planned source rows audited cash stress or recurring operating revenue. | Open report |
| Essex Co Voc-TechEssex County | Test one-time supportIs the budget leaning on fund balance, reserve withdrawals, or carryover that must be checked for recurrence? | One-time supportIs the budget using fund balance, reserve, or carryover support that needs a recurrence check? | $26,804#87 NJ / #2 county; real +$2,160 | One-time support; Side-file context31% local / 47% state; 0% transfers; 0% placement load | Proposal moveFederal grants changes -$8.3M in the latest fileReal movementFund balance and reserves moved +$6.9M since 2019-20Peer gapLocal taxes and local sources sits -49 pts vs county averageCurrent scaleState aid represents 47% of operating scale | Mixed proposal movementOperating +$2.1M; cost line -$1,085; General current +$2.1M | Pull Fund-balance appropriation notes, reserve withdrawal rows, board minutes, and audit or ACFR schedules.Ask whether the source recurs, replaces aid or levy, bridges a one-year plan, or draws restricted reserves.Block Do not call planned source rows audited cash stress or recurring operating revenue. | Open report |
| Essex Fells BoroEssex County | Follow operating fundingDid the budget move toward local levy, state aid, federal revenue, or fund balance? | Operating funding familyWhich aid lines explain dependence on state funding or first-to-latest movement? | $25,538#119 NJ / #3 county; real +$478 | Locally funded; Side-file context91% local / 6% state; 0% transfers; 1% placement load | Real movementInstruction programs moved -$386,797 since 2019-20Current scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 92% of operating scalePeer gapState aid sits -25 pts vs county average | Mixed proposal movementOperating +$84,630; cost line +$1,215; General current +$171,984 | Pull State-aid notices, levy worksheet, fund-balance notes, source-row proof sections, and tax-impact materials.Ask whether the source-family signal is a current revenue scale issue, a peer gap, a real movement, or a proposal-column move.Block Do not read General Fund operating source rows as all-funds revenue, taxpayer burden, or proof of cause without local records. | Open report |
| Fairfield TwpEssex County | Follow operating fundingDid the budget move toward local levy, state aid, federal revenue, or fund balance? | Operating funding familyWhich aid lines explain dependence on state funding or first-to-latest movement? | $20,197#418 NJ / #16 county; real -$1,832 | Locally funded; One-time support; Outside-operating scale84% local / 5% state; 1% transfers; 1% placement load | Real movementCapital, facilities, and debt moved +$2.3M since 2019-20Current scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 86% of operating scalePeer gapState aid sits -25 pts vs county average | Transfer proposal increaseOperating +$860,038; cost line +$39; General current +$756,272 | Pull State-aid notices, levy worksheet, fund-balance notes, source-row proof sections, and tax-impact materials.Ask whether the source-family signal is a current revenue scale issue, a peer gap, a real movement, or a proposal-column move.Block Do not read General Fund operating source rows as all-funds revenue, taxpayer burden, or proof of cause without local records. | Open report |
| Glen Ridge BoroEssex County | Follow operating fundingDid the budget move toward local levy, state aid, federal revenue, or fund balance? | Operating funding familyWhich aid lines explain dependence on state funding or first-to-latest movement? | $21,607#318 NJ / #13 county; real +$1,534 | Locally funded; One-time support; Side-file context85% local / 6% state; 0% transfers; 2% placement load | Proposal moveCapital, facilities, and debt changes +$2.5M in the latest fileCurrent scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 87% of operating scalePeer gapState aid sits -25 pts vs county average | Mixed proposal movementOperating +$3.0M; cost line +$1,043; General current +$1.8M | Pull State-aid notices, levy worksheet, fund-balance notes, source-row proof sections, and tax-impact materials.Ask whether the source-family signal is a current revenue scale issue, a peer gap, a real movement, or a proposal-column move.Block Do not read General Fund operating source rows as all-funds revenue, taxpayer burden, or proof of cause without local records. | Open report |
| Irvington TownshipEssex County | Test one-time supportIs the budget leaning on fund balance, reserve withdrawals, or carryover that must be checked for recurrence? | One-time supportIs the budget using fund balance, reserve, or carryover support that needs a recurrence check? | $20,130#420 NJ / #17 county; real -$2,048 | State-funded; Charter/Renaissance transfers; School-based budgeting8% local / 78% state; 14% transfers; 6% placement load | Proposal moveOther named rows changes -$18.5M in the latest fileCurrent scaleState aid represents 89% of operating scalePeer gapLocal taxes and local sources sits -59 pts vs county average | State revenue drives proposalOperating +$7.3M; cost line +$1,168; Capital outlay -$16.0M | Pull Fund-balance appropriation notes, reserve withdrawal rows, board minutes, and audit or ACFR schedules.Ask whether the source recurs, replaces aid or levy, bridges a one-year plan, or draws restricted reserves.Block Do not call planned source rows audited cash stress or recurring operating revenue. | Open report |
| Livingston TwpEssex County | Check tax burdenIs the local burden about levy per student, estimated rate, tax base, or regional tax slices? | Tax effort and tax baseIs the local burden story about rate, levy per student, tax base, or regional slices? | $19,456#459 NJ / #18 county; real -$1,859 | Locally funded; Side-file context88% local / 7% state; <1% transfers; 1% placement load | Proposal moveCapital, facilities, and debt changes -$4.7M in the latest fileCurrent scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 91% of operating scale | Mixed proposal movementOperating +$3.4M; cost line +$63; General current +$5.7M | Pull Tax-rate side file, levy worksheet, municipal/regional slices, valuation notes, and budget tax-impact materials.Ask Separate levy per student, estimated rate, equalized value, and regional allocation before writing burden.Block Do not present estimated UFB tax-rate rows as tax-bill advice or audited property-tax data. | Open report |
| Millburn TwpEssex County | Read side-file contextWhich balances, reserves, unusual items, shared services, or listed roles change the story? | Unusual and shared-service contextDo one-off explanations or shared-service rows change the first read? | $22,370#260 NJ / #9 county; real -$291 | Locally funded; Side-file context90% local / 7% state; 0% transfers; 1% placement load | Current scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 94% of operating scale | Mixed proposal movementOperating +$1.6M; cost line +$379; Benefits +$1.4M | Pull Unusual-item explanations, shared-service agreements, board minutes, contracts, and local savings support.Ask whether the row duplicates another source line, is one-time, district-entered, or locally verified.Block Do not add unusual rows or reported savings to operating totals. | Open report |
| Montclair TownEssex County | Separate outside-operating moneyIs the story about grants, special revenue, capital, facilities, or debt rather than recurring operating spending? | Outside-operating familyHow large are grant-funded or otherwise outside-operating programs relative to operating budgets? | $21,799#300 NJ / #11 county; real +$283 | Locally funded; Side-file context89% local / 8% state; <1% transfers; 1% placement load | Real movementSpecial revenue funds moved +$12.2M since 2019-20Current scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 90% of operating scale | Mixed proposal movementOperating +$4.7M; cost line +$636; General current +$4.8M | Pull Grant schedules, capital/debt schedules, line-item budget, source-row proof sections, and project or bond records.Ask whether the signal belongs to grants, capital, facilities, or debt before reading it as recurring operating spending.Block Do not add outside-operating source-family rows into one operating total or treat them as ordinary classroom spending. | Open report |
| Newark CityEssex County | Compare cost positionIs the district expensive, or just in a high-cost peer group? | Cost positionWhy does this district sit high on the published comparative-cost line? | $26,841#85 NJ / #1 county; real +$2,718 | State-funded; Charter/Renaissance transfers; School-based budgeting9% local / 84% state; 26% transfers; 7% placement load | Current scaleState aid represents 92% of operating scale | State revenue drives proposalOperating +$31.2M; cost line +$351; School-based budgeting +$27.8M | Pull Budget presentation, adopted budget book, staffing/program notes, and local peer reports.Ask whether county, scale, grade span, placements, transfers, or side files explain the rank.Block Do not turn comparative cost into waste, quality, or adequacy by itself. | Open report |
| North Caldwell BoroEssex County | Follow operating fundingDid the budget move toward local levy, state aid, federal revenue, or fund balance? | Operating funding familyWhich aid lines explain dependence on state funding or first-to-latest movement? | $23,313#210 NJ / #6 county; real -$913 | Locally funded; Side-file context89% local / 6% state; 0% transfers; 2% placement load | Proposal moveFund balance and reserves changes -$1.7M in the latest fileReal movementCapital, facilities, and debt moved -$1.5M since 2019-20Current scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 89% of operating scalePeer gapState aid sits -25 pts vs county average | Mixed proposal movementOperating -$276,014; cost line +$91; Capital outlay -$890,345 | Pull State-aid notices, levy worksheet, fund-balance notes, source-row proof sections, and tax-impact materials.Ask whether the source-family signal is a current revenue scale issue, a peer gap, a real movement, or a proposal-column move.Block Do not read General Fund operating source rows as all-funds revenue, taxpayer burden, or proof of cause without local records. | Open report |
| Nutley TownEssex County | Separate outside-operating moneyIs the story about grants, special revenue, capital, facilities, or debt rather than recurring operating spending? | Outside-operating familyHow large are grant-funded or otherwise outside-operating programs relative to operating budgets? | $17,174#544 NJ / #22 county; real -$1,778 | Locally funded; Side-file context82% local / 18% state; <1% transfers; 1% placement load | Real movementSpecial revenue funds moved +$10.2M since 2019-20Proposal movePreschool changes +$4.8M in the latest fileCurrent scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 85% of operating scale | Mixed proposal movementOperating +$1.6M; cost line +$289; General current +$1.4M | Pull Grant schedules, capital/debt schedules, line-item budget, source-row proof sections, and project or bond records.Ask whether the signal belongs to grants, capital, facilities, or debt before reading it as recurring operating spending.Block Do not add outside-operating source-family rows into one operating total or treat them as ordinary classroom spending. | Open report |
| Roseland BoroEssex County | Separate outside-operating moneyIs the story about grants, special revenue, capital, facilities, or debt rather than recurring operating spending? | Outside-operating familyAre capital projects, facilities acquisition, reserve withdrawals, or debt-service rows distorting all-funds comparisons? | $22,894#237 NJ / #8 county; real +$1,529 | Locally funded; One-time support; Side-file context85% local / 7% state; 0% transfers; <1% placement load | Real movementCapital, facilities, and debt moved -$1.4M since 2019-20Current scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 92% of operating scale | Mixed proposal movementOperating +$484,587; cost line +$942; General current +$664,599 | Pull Grant schedules, capital/debt schedules, line-item budget, source-row proof sections, and project or bond records.Ask whether the signal belongs to grants, capital, facilities, or debt before reading it as recurring operating spending.Block Do not add outside-operating source-family rows into one operating total or treat them as ordinary classroom spending. | Open report |
| South Orange-MaplewoodEssex County | Separate outside-operating moneyIs the story about grants, special revenue, capital, facilities, or debt rather than recurring operating spending? | Outside-operating familyAre capital projects, facilities acquisition, reserve withdrawals, or debt-service rows distorting all-funds comparisons? | $21,798#301 NJ / #12 county; real +$1,898 | Locally funded; Placement load; One-time support84% local / 8% state; <1% transfers; 6% placement load | Real movementCapital, facilities, and debt moved +$18.0M since 2019-20Current scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 89% of operating scale | Mixed proposal movementOperating +$4.0M; cost line +$1,295; General current +$8.2M | Pull Grant schedules, capital/debt schedules, line-item budget, source-row proof sections, and project or bond records.Ask whether the signal belongs to grants, capital, facilities, or debt before reading it as recurring operating spending.Block Do not add outside-operating source-family rows into one operating total or treat them as ordinary classroom spending. | Open report |
| Verona BoroEssex County | Check tax burdenIs the local burden about levy per student, estimated rate, tax base, or regional tax slices? | Tax effort and tax baseIs the local burden story about rate, levy per student, tax base, or regional slices? | $18,464#514 NJ / #21 county; real -$12 | Locally funded; Outside-operating scale; Side-file context89% local / 9% state; 0% transfers; 2% placement load | Current scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 97% of operating scale | Mixed proposal movementOperating +$1.3M; cost line +$48; General current +$1.4M | Pull Tax-rate side file, levy worksheet, municipal/regional slices, valuation notes, and budget tax-impact materials.Ask Separate levy per student, estimated rate, equalized value, and regional allocation before writing burden.Block Do not present estimated UFB tax-rate rows as tax-bill advice or audited property-tax data. | Open report |
| West Essex RegionalEssex County | Separate outside-operating moneyIs the story about grants, special revenue, capital, facilities, or debt rather than recurring operating spending? | Outside-operating familyAre capital projects, facilities acquisition, reserve withdrawals, or debt-service rows distorting all-funds comparisons? | $24,565#152 NJ / #4 county; real +$13 | Locally funded91% local / 7% state; <1% transfers; 3% placement load | Proposal moveCapital, facilities, and debt changes -$7.2M in the latest fileCurrent scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 92% of operating scale | Capital proposal decreaseOperating -$2.1M; cost line +$302; Capital outlay -$3.5M | Pull Grant schedules, capital/debt schedules, line-item budget, source-row proof sections, and project or bond records.Ask whether the signal belongs to grants, capital, facilities, or debt before reading it as recurring operating spending.Block Do not add outside-operating source-family rows into one operating total or treat them as ordinary classroom spending. | Open report |
| West Orange TownEssex County | Follow operating fundingDid the budget move toward local levy, state aid, federal revenue, or fund balance? | Operating funding familyWhich aid lines explain dependence on state funding or first-to-latest movement? | $24,113#172 NJ / #5 county; real -$1,712 | Locally funded; Placement load; Side-file context80% local / 18% state; <1% transfers; 8% placement load | Real movementState aid moved +$28.1M since 2019-20Proposal moveCapital, facilities, and debt changes -$14.3M in the latest fileCurrent scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 82% of operating scale | Mixed proposal movementOperating -$6.9M; cost line -$1,078; Capital outlay -$7.1M | Pull State-aid notices, levy worksheet, fund-balance notes, source-row proof sections, and tax-impact materials.Ask whether the source-family signal is a current revenue scale issue, a peer gap, a real movement, or a proposal-column move.Block Do not read General Fund operating source rows as all-funds revenue, taxpayer burden, or proof of cause without local records. | Open report |
| Clayton BoroGloucester County | Separate outside-operating moneyIs the story about grants, special revenue, capital, facilities, or debt rather than recurring operating spending? | Outside-operating familyHow large are grant-funded or otherwise outside-operating programs relative to operating budgets? | $20,375#400 NJ / #11 county; real +$3,585 | Side-file context32% local / 66% state; 1% transfers; 3% placement load | Proposal moveSpecial revenue funds changes -$3.5M in the latest fileCurrent scaleState aid represents 78% of operating scale | State revenue drives proposalOperating +$522,975; cost line +$153; General current +$1.3M | Pull Grant schedules, capital/debt schedules, line-item budget, source-row proof sections, and project or bond records.Ask whether the signal belongs to grants, capital, facilities, or debt before reading it as recurring operating spending.Block Do not add outside-operating source-family rows into one operating total or treat them as ordinary classroom spending. | Open report |
| Clearview RegionalGloucester County | Follow operating fundingDid the budget move toward local levy, state aid, federal revenue, or fund balance? | Operating funding familyWhich aid lines explain dependence on state funding or first-to-latest movement? | $16,757#554 NJ / #25 county; real -$1,071 | One-time support; Outside-operating scale; Side-file context59% local / 25% state; <1% transfers; 1% placement load | Real movementState aid moved -$8.5M since 2019-20Proposal moveFund balance and reserves changes +$5.0M in the latest fileCurrent scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 64% of operating scalePeer gapPreschool sits -25 pts vs county average | Mixed proposal movementOperating +$2.8M; cost line +$493; Capital outlay +$1.9M | Pull State-aid notices, levy worksheet, fund-balance notes, source-row proof sections, and tax-impact materials.Ask whether the source-family signal is a current revenue scale issue, a peer gap, a real movement, or a proposal-column move.Block Do not read General Fund operating source rows as all-funds revenue, taxpayer burden, or proof of cause without local records. | Open report |
| Delsea Regional H.S Dist.Gloucester County | Check students and service loadIs a per-student comparison really about denominator, placements, or student need? | Student/service familyIs preschool aid, carryover, instruction, or support service scale material? | $19,544#452 NJ / #14 county; real -$1,011 | Side-file context55% local / 42% state; 1% transfers; 2% placement load | Proposal moveOther named rows changes -$4.6M in the latest fileCurrent scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 49% of operating scalePeer gapPreschool sits -25 pts vs county average | Mixed proposal movementOperating +$11,821; cost line +$946; Benefits +$781,383 | Pull Tuition and placement schedules, preschool aid records, service-load rows, contracts, and source-row proof sections.Ask whether transfers, tuition, preschool, or special-education/support rows explain the comparison frame.Block Do not treat source-family rows as audited service counts, quality, adequacy, or a complete program ledger. | Open report |
| Deptford TwpGloucester County | Separate outside-operating moneyIs the story about grants, special revenue, capital, facilities, or debt rather than recurring operating spending? | Outside-operating familyAre capital projects, facilities acquisition, reserve withdrawals, or debt-service rows distorting all-funds comparisons? | $19,104#480 NJ / #15 county; real +$661 | One-time support; Side-file context55% local / 39% state; <1% transfers; 2% placement load | Proposal moveCapital, facilities, and debt changes -$7.1M in the latest fileCurrent scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 55% of operating scalePeer gapPreschool sits -7 pts vs county average | Benefits drive proposed useOperating +$272,466; cost line +$945; General current +$4.0M | Pull Grant schedules, capital/debt schedules, line-item budget, source-row proof sections, and project or bond records.Ask whether the signal belongs to grants, capital, facilities, or debt before reading it as recurring operating spending.Block Do not add outside-operating source-family rows into one operating total or treat them as ordinary classroom spending. | Open report |
| East Greenwich TwpGloucester County | Separate outside-operating moneyIs the story about grants, special revenue, capital, facilities, or debt rather than recurring operating spending? | Outside-operating familyHow large are grant-funded or otherwise outside-operating programs relative to operating budgets? | $17,558#538 NJ / #22 county; real +$1,079 | One-time support; Side-file context65% local / 28% state; <1% transfers; 1% placement load | Real movementSpecial revenue funds moved +$3.9M since 2019-20Proposal movePreschool changes +$2.3M in the latest fileCurrent scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 70% of operating scale | Mixed proposal movementOperating +$453,706; cost line -$39; Benefits +$413,039 | Pull Grant schedules, capital/debt schedules, line-item budget, source-row proof sections, and project or bond records.Ask whether the signal belongs to grants, capital, facilities, or debt before reading it as recurring operating spending.Block Do not add outside-operating source-family rows into one operating total or treat them as ordinary classroom spending. | Open report |
| Elk TwpGloucester County | Check students and service loadIs a per-student comparison really about denominator, placements, or student need? | Student/service familyIs preschool aid, carryover, instruction, or support service scale material? | $20,729#374 NJ / #10 county; real +$311 | One-time support; Outside-operating scale; Side-file context53% local / 35% state; <1% transfers; 3% placement load | Real movementPreschool moved +$3.4M since 2019-20Proposal moveFederal grants changes -$914,850 in the latest fileCurrent scaleState aid represents 55% of operating scalePeer gapSpecial revenue funds sits +26 pts vs county average | State revenue drives proposalOperating -$110,560; cost line +$523; General current -$106,770 | Pull Tuition and placement schedules, preschool aid records, service-load rows, contracts, and source-row proof sections.Ask whether transfers, tuition, preschool, or special-education/support rows explain the comparison frame.Block Do not treat source-family rows as audited service counts, quality, adequacy, or a complete program ledger. | Open report |
| Franklin TwpGloucester County | Check students and service loadIs a per-student comparison really about denominator, placements, or student need? | Student/service familyIs preschool aid, carryover, instruction, or support service scale material? | $16,261#560 NJ / #27 county; real -$1,597 | One-time support; Side-file context55% local / 33% state; <1% transfers; 2% placement load | Real movementFund balance and reserves moved +$3.4M since 2019-20Current scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 47% of operating scalePeer gapPreschool sits -25 pts vs county average | Mixed proposal movementOperating +$1.2M; cost line -$222; General current +$1.6M | Pull Tuition and placement schedules, preschool aid records, service-load rows, contracts, and source-row proof sections.Ask whether transfers, tuition, preschool, or special-education/support rows explain the comparison frame.Block Do not treat source-family rows as audited service counts, quality, adequacy, or a complete program ledger. | Open report |
| Gateway RegionalGloucester County | Check students and service loadIs a per-student comparison really about denominator, placements, or student need? | Student/service familyIs preschool aid, carryover, instruction, or support service scale material? | $27,752#70 NJ / #2 county; real +$947 | One-time support; Side-file context46% local / 42% state; <1% transfers; 3% placement load | Real movementState aid moved +$2.2M since 2019-20Proposal moveSpecial revenue funds changes -$739,720 in the latest fileCurrent scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 45% of operating scalePeer gapPreschool sits -25 pts vs county average | Mixed proposal movementOperating +$1.3M; cost line +$875; General current +$933,343 | Pull Tuition and placement schedules, preschool aid records, service-load rows, contracts, and source-row proof sections.Ask whether transfers, tuition, preschool, or special-education/support rows explain the comparison frame.Block Do not treat source-family rows as audited service counts, quality, adequacy, or a complete program ledger. | Open report |
| GlassboroGloucester County | Separate outside-operating moneyIs the story about grants, special revenue, capital, facilities, or debt rather than recurring operating spending? | Outside-operating familyAre capital projects, facilities acquisition, reserve withdrawals, or debt-service rows distorting all-funds comparisons? | $19,618#449 NJ / #13 county; real -$1,489 | Side-file context55% local / 40% state; <1% transfers; 3% placement load | Proposal moveCapital, facilities, and debt changes -$3.8M in the latest fileCurrent scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 57% of operating scalePeer gapPreschool sits -12 pts vs county average | Mixed proposal movementOperating -$487,012; cost line +$756; Capital outlay -$1.9M | Pull Grant schedules, capital/debt schedules, line-item budget, source-row proof sections, and project or bond records.Ask whether the signal belongs to grants, capital, facilities, or debt before reading it as recurring operating spending.Block Do not add outside-operating source-family rows into one operating total or treat them as ordinary classroom spending. | Open report |
| Gloucester Co Spec ServGloucester County | Compare cost positionIs the district expensive, or just in a high-cost peer group? | Cost positionWhy does this district sit high on the published comparative-cost line? | $64,243#4 NJ / #1 county; real -$8 | High comparative cost; Locally funded; One-time support88% local / n/a state; 0% transfers; 0% placement load | Proposal moveSpecial revenue funds changes -$5.2M in the latest fileCurrent scaleTransfers and tuition represents 75% of operating scale | Proposed comparative cost decreaseOperating -$762,268; cost line -$7,547; General current -$670,903 | Pull Budget presentation, adopted budget book, staffing/program notes, and local peer reports.Ask whether county, scale, grade span, placements, transfers, or side files explain the rank.Block Do not turn comparative cost into waste, quality, or adequacy by itself. | Open report |
| Gloucester Co VocationalGloucester County | Check students and service loadIs a per-student comparison really about denominator, placements, or student need? | Student/service familyIs preschool aid, carryover, instruction, or support service scale material? | $18,888#488 NJ / #16 county; real +$1,031 | One-time support; Side-file context43% local / 47% state; 0% transfers; 0% placement load | Proposal moveFederal grants changes -$908,325 in the latest fileCurrent scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 54% of operating scalePeer gapPreschool sits -25 pts vs county average | Mixed proposal movementOperating -$526,987; cost line -$442; General current -$535,890 | Pull Tuition and placement schedules, preschool aid records, service-load rows, contracts, and source-row proof sections.Ask whether transfers, tuition, preschool, or special-education/support rows explain the comparison frame.Block Do not treat source-family rows as audited service counts, quality, adequacy, or a complete program ledger. | Open report |
| Greenwich TwpGloucester County | Follow operating fundingDid the budget move toward local levy, state aid, federal revenue, or fund balance? | Operating funding familyWhich federal rows are large, concentrated, or fading after pandemic-era aid? | $22,282#264 NJ / #7 county; real -$6,699 | Locally funded; High tax effort; Placement load90% local / 7% state; 0% transfers; 21% placement load | Proposal moveFederal grants changes -$2.3M in the latest fileReal movementPlant, operations, and maintenance moved -$929,107 since 2019-20Current scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 90% of operating scalePeer gapState aid sits -33 pts vs county average | Mixed proposal movementOperating +$5,553; cost line -$665; Benefits +$88,608 | Pull State-aid notices, levy worksheet, fund-balance notes, source-row proof sections, and tax-impact materials.Ask whether the source-family signal is a current revenue scale issue, a peer gap, a real movement, or a proposal-column move.Block Do not read General Fund operating source rows as all-funds revenue, taxpayer burden, or proof of cause without local records. | Open report |
| Harrison TwpGloucester County | Check students and service loadIs a per-student comparison really about denominator, placements, or student need? | Student/service familyIs preschool aid, carryover, instruction, or support service scale material? | $16,428#557 NJ / #26 county; real -$548 | One-time support; Side-file context71% local / 23% state; <1% transfers; <1% placement load | Real movementCapital, facilities, and debt moved -$2.1M since 2019-20Current scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 72% of operating scalePeer gapPreschool sits -25 pts vs county average | Mixed proposal movementOperating +$861,131; cost line +$701; General current +$1.2M | Pull Tuition and placement schedules, preschool aid records, service-load rows, contracts, and source-row proof sections.Ask whether transfers, tuition, preschool, or special-education/support rows explain the comparison frame.Block Do not treat source-family rows as audited service counts, quality, adequacy, or a complete program ledger. | Open report |
| Kingsway RegionalGloucester County | Follow operating fundingDid the budget move toward local levy, state aid, federal revenue, or fund balance? | Operating funding familyWhich aid lines explain dependence on state funding or first-to-latest movement? | $15,758#563 NJ / #28 county; real +$1,091 | Side-file context54% local / 41% state; <1% transfers; 1% placement load | Real movementState aid moved +$8.0M since 2019-20Proposal moveFund balance and reserves changes +$2.8M in the latest fileCurrent scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 51% of operating scalePeer gapPreschool sits -25 pts vs county average | Mixed proposal movementOperating +$4.1M; cost line +$342; General current +$2.3M | Pull State-aid notices, levy worksheet, fund-balance notes, source-row proof sections, and tax-impact materials.Ask whether the source-family signal is a current revenue scale issue, a peer gap, a real movement, or a proposal-column move.Block Do not read General Fund operating source rows as all-funds revenue, taxpayer burden, or proof of cause without local records. | Open report |
| Logan TwpGloucester County | Read the current proposalWhat changes now in the proposed column before the long-run trend is interpreted? | Current proposal changeWhat does the latest proposed budget column change right now? | $22,004#285 NJ / #8 county; real -$162 | Locally funded; Placement load86% local / 10% state; <1% transfers; 34% placement load | Current scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 85% of operating scale | Proposed comparative cost increaseOperating +$4.1M; cost line +$4,081; General current +$4.4M | Pull Proposed budget, revised/current column support, adoption minutes, budget hearing deck, and district FAQ.Ask what is recurring, one-time, grant-funded, enrollment-driven, negotiated, or reclassified.Block Do not treat nominal proposal movement as an audited result or inflation-adjusted trend. | Open report |
| Mantua TwpGloucester County | Separate outside-operating moneyIs the story about grants, special revenue, capital, facilities, or debt rather than recurring operating spending? | Outside-operating familyHow large are grant-funded or otherwise outside-operating programs relative to operating budgets? | $18,183#523 NJ / #20 county; real -$239 | One-time support; Outside-operating scale; Side-file context73% local / 21% state; <1% transfers; 1% placement load | Proposal moveFederal grants changes -$579,145 in the latest fileCurrent scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 72% of operating scalePeer gapSpecial revenue funds sits +24 pts vs county average | Transfer proposal increaseOperating +$593,211; cost line -$363; General current +$610,147 | Pull Grant schedules, capital/debt schedules, line-item budget, source-row proof sections, and project or bond records.Ask whether the signal belongs to grants, capital, facilities, or debt before reading it as recurring operating spending.Block Do not add outside-operating source-family rows into one operating total or treat them as ordinary classroom spending. | Open report |
| Monroe TwpGloucester County | Check students and service loadIs a per-student comparison really about denominator, placements, or student need? | Student/service familyIs preschool aid, carryover, instruction, or support service scale material? | $17,648#535 NJ / #21 county; real +$1,143 | One-time support; Side-file context45% local / 50% state; <1% transfers; 2% placement load | Proposal moveCapital, facilities, and debt changes +$3.6M in the latest fileCurrent scaleState aid represents 55% of operating scalePeer gapPreschool sits -15 pts vs county average | State revenue drives proposalOperating +$5.7M; cost line +$513; General current +$3.9M | Pull Tuition and placement schedules, preschool aid records, service-load rows, contracts, and source-row proof sections.Ask whether transfers, tuition, preschool, or special-education/support rows explain the comparison frame.Block Do not treat source-family rows as audited service counts, quality, adequacy, or a complete program ledger. | Open report |
| National Park BoroGloucester County | Test one-time supportIs the budget leaning on fund balance, reserve withdrawals, or carryover that must be checked for recurrence? | One-time supportIs the budget using fund balance, reserve, or carryover support that needs a recurrence check? | $25,281#127 NJ / #4 county; real +$4,453 | Rising real cost; One-time support; Outside-operating scale34% local / 49% state; 0% transfers; 3% placement load | Real movementPreschool moved +$3.1M since 2019-20Current scaleState aid represents 69% of operating scale | Proposed comparative cost increaseOperating +$704,821; cost line +$2,702; Capital outlay +$361,871 | Pull Fund-balance appropriation notes, reserve withdrawal rows, board minutes, and audit or ACFR schedules.Ask whether the source recurs, replaces aid or levy, bridges a one-year plan, or draws restricted reserves.Block Do not call planned source rows audited cash stress or recurring operating revenue. | Open report |
| Newfield BoroGloucester County | Test one-time supportIs the budget leaning on fund balance, reserve withdrawals, or carryover that must be checked for recurrence? | One-time supportIs the budget using fund balance, reserve, or carryover support that needs a recurrence check? | n/an/a NJ / n/a county; real n/a | One-time support58% local / 33% state; 0% transfers; n/a placement load | Proposal moveFund balance and reserves changes -$312,406 in the latest fileReal movementState aid moved -$252,607 since 2019-20Current scaleTransfers and tuition represents 86% of operating scale | Mixed proposal movementOperating -$121,661; cost line n/a; Capital outlay -$70,000 | Pull Fund-balance appropriation notes, reserve withdrawal rows, board minutes, and audit or ACFR schedules.Ask whether the source recurs, replaces aid or levy, bridges a one-year plan, or draws restricted reserves.Block Do not call planned source rows audited cash stress or recurring operating revenue. | Open report |
| Paulsboro BoroGloucester County | Separate outside-operating moneyIs the story about grants, special revenue, capital, facilities, or debt rather than recurring operating spending? | Outside-operating familyAre capital projects, facilities acquisition, reserve withdrawals, or debt-service rows distorting all-funds comparisons? | $25,864#109 NJ / #3 county; real +$6,611 | Rising real cost; One-time support; Outside-operating scale24% local / 62% state; 1% transfers; 5% placement load | Proposal moveCapital, facilities, and debt changes +$5.9M in the latest fileCurrent scaleState aid represents 67% of operating scalePeer gapLocal taxes and local sources sits -38 pts vs county average | State revenue drives proposalOperating +$4.6M; cost line +$987; Capital outlay +$2.7M | Pull Grant schedules, capital/debt schedules, line-item budget, source-row proof sections, and project or bond records.Ask whether the signal belongs to grants, capital, facilities, or debt before reading it as recurring operating spending.Block Do not add outside-operating source-family rows into one operating total or treat them as ordinary classroom spending. | Open report |
| Pitman BoroGloucester County | Separate outside-operating moneyIs the story about grants, special revenue, capital, facilities, or debt rather than recurring operating spending? | Outside-operating familyHow large are grant-funded or otherwise outside-operating programs relative to operating budgets? | $18,365#516 NJ / #19 county; real -$4,258 | Side-file context74% local / 22% state; 1% transfers; 2% placement load | Real movementSpecial revenue funds moved +$5.2M since 2019-20Proposal moveCapital, facilities, and debt changes -$3.0M in the latest fileCurrent scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 74% of operating scale | Transfer proposal increaseOperating -$1.8M; cost line -$569; Capital outlay -$1.3M | Pull Grant schedules, capital/debt schedules, line-item budget, source-row proof sections, and project or bond records.Ask whether the signal belongs to grants, capital, facilities, or debt before reading it as recurring operating spending.Block Do not add outside-operating source-family rows into one operating total or treat them as ordinary classroom spending. | Open report |
| South Harrison TwpGloucester County | Separate outside-operating moneyIs the story about grants, special revenue, capital, facilities, or debt rather than recurring operating spending? | Outside-operating familyHow large are grant-funded or otherwise outside-operating programs relative to operating budgets? | $17,056#546 NJ / #24 county; real +$635 | Locally funded; One-time support; Outside-operating scale77% local / 17% state; 1% transfers; 1% placement load | Real movementSpecial revenue funds moved +$2.3M since 2019-20Current scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 88% of operating scale | Tax levy drives proposalOperating +$325,139; cost line +$600; General current +$538,254 | Pull Grant schedules, capital/debt schedules, line-item budget, source-row proof sections, and project or bond records.Ask whether the signal belongs to grants, capital, facilities, or debt before reading it as recurring operating spending.Block Do not add outside-operating source-family rows into one operating total or treat them as ordinary classroom spending. | Open report |
| Swedesboro-WoolwichGloucester County | Check students and service loadIs a per-student comparison really about denominator, placements, or student need? | Student/service familyIs preschool aid, carryover, instruction, or support service scale material? | $17,510#539 NJ / #23 county; real -$506 | Outside-operating scale; Side-file context59% local / 40% state; <1% transfers; 1% placement load | Real movementState aid moved +$3.1M since 2019-20Proposal moveEmployee benefits changes +$854,168 in the latest fileCurrent scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 67% of operating scalePeer gapPreschool sits -25 pts vs county average | Transfer proposal increaseOperating +$1.2M; cost line +$194; General current +$1.1M | Pull Tuition and placement schedules, preschool aid records, service-load rows, contracts, and source-row proof sections.Ask whether transfers, tuition, preschool, or special-education/support rows explain the comparison frame.Block Do not treat source-family rows as audited service counts, quality, adequacy, or a complete program ledger. | Open report |
| Washington TwpGloucester County | Separate outside-operating moneyIs the story about grants, special revenue, capital, facilities, or debt rather than recurring operating spending? | Outside-operating familyHow large are grant-funded or otherwise outside-operating programs relative to operating budgets? | $18,656#502 NJ / #18 county; real -$4,308 | Side-file context70% local / 30% state; <1% transfers; 1% placement load | Real movementSpecial revenue funds moved +$23.5M since 2019-20Proposal moveFund balance and reserves changes -$10.5M in the latest fileCurrent scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 71% of operating scale | Fund-balance proposal shiftOperating -$5.0M; cost line -$858; General current -$5.9M | Pull Grant schedules, capital/debt schedules, line-item budget, source-row proof sections, and project or bond records.Ask whether the signal belongs to grants, capital, facilities, or debt before reading it as recurring operating spending.Block Do not add outside-operating source-family rows into one operating total or treat them as ordinary classroom spending. | Open report |
| Wenonah BoroGloucester County | Explain categoriesWhich spending or revenue family makes the budget look different? | Spending/category familyWhich classroom or instructional program rows define the core spending structure? | $21,563#322 NJ / #9 county; real -$235 | Locally funded; Side-file context91% local / 5% state; <1% transfers; 1% placement load | Real movementInstruction programs moved -$472,531 since 2019-20Proposal moveFederal grants changes -$84,000 in the latest fileCurrent scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 93% of operating scale | Transfer proposal increaseOperating +$65,633; cost line -$239; General current +$43,573 | Pull Line-item budget, source-row proof sections, category atlas, proposal support, and local peer reports.Ask whether the named family is current scale, a peer gap, real movement, a current proposal move, or outside-operating context.Block Do not add nested source-family rows into one total or treat a family signal as cause, waste, adequacy, or recurring spending without local records. | Open report |
| West Deptford TwpGloucester County | Explain categoriesWhich spending or revenue family makes the budget look different? | Spending/category familyWhich remaining named rows deserve a closer district-level look? | $18,855#491 NJ / #17 county; real -$625 | Side-file context70% local / 29% state; <1% transfers; 1% placement load | Proposal moveOther named rows changes -$2.3M in the latest fileCurrent scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 71% of operating scale | Benefits drive proposed useOperating +$407,354; cost line +$749; Benefits +$2.1M | Pull Line-item budget, source-row proof sections, category atlas, proposal support, and local peer reports.Ask whether the named family is current scale, a peer gap, real movement, a current proposal move, or outside-operating context.Block Do not add nested source-family rows into one total or treat a family signal as cause, waste, adequacy, or recurring spending without local records. | Open report |
| Westville BoroGloucester County | Test one-time supportIs the budget leaning on fund balance, reserve withdrawals, or carryover that must be checked for recurrence? | One-time supportIs the budget using fund balance, reserve, or carryover support that needs a recurrence check? | $23,478#202 NJ / #5 county; real +$6,468 | Rising real cost; Placement load; One-time support34% local / 56% state; <1% transfers; 5% placement load | Proposal moveFederal grants changes -$663,726 in the latest fileCurrent scaleState aid represents 67% of operating scale | State revenue drives proposalOperating +$268,490; cost line +$629; General current +$367,453 | Pull Fund-balance appropriation notes, reserve withdrawal rows, board minutes, and audit or ACFR schedules.Ask whether the source recurs, replaces aid or levy, bridges a one-year plan, or draws restricted reserves.Block Do not call planned source rows audited cash stress or recurring operating revenue. | Open report |
| Woodbury CityGloucester County | Test one-time supportIs the budget leaning on fund balance, reserve withdrawals, or carryover that must be checked for recurrence? | One-time supportIs the budget using fund balance, reserve, or carryover support that needs a recurrence check? | $23,075#228 NJ / #6 county; real +$2,094 | One-time support; Outside-operating scale; Side-file context25% local / 54% state; <1% transfers; 2% placement load | Proposal moveFederal grants changes -$6.6M in the latest fileCurrent scaleState aid represents 60% of operating scalePeer gapLocal taxes and local sources sits -31 pts vs county average | Proposed comparative cost increaseOperating +$4.8M; cost line +$1,559; Capital outlay +$3.8M | Pull Fund-balance appropriation notes, reserve withdrawal rows, board minutes, and audit or ACFR schedules.Ask whether the source recurs, replaces aid or levy, bridges a one-year plan, or draws restricted reserves.Block Do not call planned source rows audited cash stress or recurring operating revenue. | Open report |
| Woodbury Heights BoroGloucester County | Check students and service loadIs a per-student comparison really about denominator, placements, or student need? | Student/service familyIs preschool aid, carryover, instruction, or support service scale material? | $20,255#410 NJ / #12 county; real -$713 | One-time support; Side-file context62% local / 27% state; 0% transfers; 2% placement load | Real movementState aid moved +$690,338 since 2019-20Proposal moveSpecial revenue funds changes -$537,078 in the latest fileCurrent scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 64% of operating scalePeer gapPreschool sits -25 pts vs county average | Mixed proposal movementOperating +$156,116; cost line +$1,245; General current +$211,698 | Pull Tuition and placement schedules, preschool aid records, service-load rows, contracts, and source-row proof sections.Ask whether transfers, tuition, preschool, or special-education/support rows explain the comparison frame.Block Do not treat source-family rows as audited service counts, quality, adequacy, or a complete program ledger. | Open report |
| Bayonne CityHudson County | Follow operating fundingDid the budget move toward local levy, state aid, federal revenue, or fund balance? | Operating funding familyWhich federal rows are large, concentrated, or fading after pandemic-era aid? | $20,112#422 NJ / #10 county; real +$3,113 | Placement load; Side-file context37% local / 61% state; 1% transfers; 5% placement load | Proposal moveFederal grants changes -$76.3M in the latest fileCurrent scaleState aid represents 71% of operating scale | Mixed proposal movementOperating -$816,800; cost line +$241; Benefits +$6.1M | Pull State-aid notices, levy worksheet, fund-balance notes, source-row proof sections, and tax-impact materials.Ask whether the source-family signal is a current revenue scale issue, a peer gap, a real movement, or a proposal-column move.Block Do not read General Fund operating source rows as all-funds revenue, taxpayer burden, or proof of cause without local records. | Open report |
| East Newark BoroHudson County | Separate outside-operating moneyIs the story about grants, special revenue, capital, facilities, or debt rather than recurring operating spending? | Outside-operating familyHow large are grant-funded or otherwise outside-operating programs relative to operating budgets? | $20,916#363 NJ / #9 county; real +$8,784 | Rising real cost; Placement load; One-time support17% local / 72% state; 8% transfers; 61% placement load | Proposal moveSpecial revenue funds changes -$2.8M in the latest fileCurrent scaleState aid represents 83% of operating scalePeer gapLocal taxes and local sources sits -34 pts vs county average | Proposed comparative cost decreaseOperating +$212,012; cost line -$2,371; General current +$1.0M | Pull Grant schedules, capital/debt schedules, line-item budget, source-row proof sections, and project or bond records.Ask whether the signal belongs to grants, capital, facilities, or debt before reading it as recurring operating spending.Block Do not add outside-operating source-family rows into one operating total or treat them as ordinary classroom spending. | Open report |
| Guttenberg TownHudson County | Follow operating fundingDid the budget move toward local levy, state aid, federal revenue, or fund balance? | Operating funding familyHow much of the budget story is local levy, tuition, fees, or miscellaneous local revenue? | $23,218#218 NJ / #4 county; real +$5,505 | Rising real cost; Placement load; One-time support35% local / 52% state; <1% transfers; 40% placement load | Proposal moveCapital, facilities, and debt changes -$3.8M in the latest fileCurrent scaleState aid represents 56% of operating scalePeer gapLocal taxes and local sources sits -17 pts vs county average | Proposed comparative cost increaseOperating -$57,055; cost line +$2,216; Capital outlay -$1.9M | Pull State-aid notices, levy worksheet, fund-balance notes, source-row proof sections, and tax-impact materials.Ask whether the source-family signal is a current revenue scale issue, a peer gap, a real movement, or a proposal-column move.Block Do not read General Fund operating source rows as all-funds revenue, taxpayer burden, or proof of cause without local records. | Open report |
| Harrison TownHudson County | Follow operating fundingDid the budget move toward local levy, state aid, federal revenue, or fund balance? | Operating funding familyWhich federal rows are large, concentrated, or fading after pandemic-era aid? | $18,509#510 NJ / #13 county; real -$1,354 | School-based budgeting; Placement load; Outside-operating scale29% local / 70% state; 2% transfers; 8% placement load | Proposal moveFederal grants changes -$6.9M in the latest fileCurrent scaleState aid represents 86% of operating scale | UFB denominator movesOperating +$3.5M; cost line -$304; School-based budgeting +$3.6M | Pull State-aid notices, levy worksheet, fund-balance notes, source-row proof sections, and tax-impact materials.Ask whether the source-family signal is a current revenue scale issue, a peer gap, a real movement, or a proposal-column move.Block Do not read General Fund operating source rows as all-funds revenue, taxpayer burden, or proof of cause without local records. | Open report |
| Hoboken CityHudson County | Separate outside-operating moneyIs the story about grants, special revenue, capital, facilities, or debt rather than recurring operating spending? | Budget model and use structureWhich budget model explains why the district should not be compared only by one cost rank? | $22,327#263 NJ / #7 county; real -$8,232 | Locally funded; Charter/Renaissance transfers; School-based budgeting86% local / 10% state; 15% transfers; <1% placement load | Current scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 84% of operating scale | Proposed comparative cost decreaseOperating +$5.1M; cost line -$2,683; School-based budgeting +$3.1M | Pull Line-item budget, tuition/transfer schedules, school-resource statements, grant/debt schedules, and contracts.Ask whether transfers, school-based allocations, special revenue, debt, or capital rows drive the comparison.Block Do not add nested or outside-operating rows into one spending total. | Open report |
| Hudson County VocationalHudson County | Follow operating fundingDid the budget move toward local levy, state aid, federal revenue, or fund balance? | Operating funding familyHow much of the budget story is local levy, tuition, fees, or miscellaneous local revenue? | $24,023#179 NJ / #3 county; real +$1,440 | Side-file context67% local / 33% state; 0% transfers; 0% placement load | Current scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 130% of operating scale | Mixed proposal movementOperating +$1.3M; cost line +$344; General current +$2.1M | Pull State-aid notices, levy worksheet, fund-balance notes, source-row proof sections, and tax-impact materials.Ask whether the source-family signal is a current revenue scale issue, a peer gap, a real movement, or a proposal-column move.Block Do not read General Fund operating source rows as all-funds revenue, taxpayer burden, or proof of cause without local records. | Open report |
| Jersey CityHudson County | Test one-time supportIs the budget leaning on fund balance, reserve withdrawals, or carryover that must be checked for recurrence? | One-time supportIs the budget using fund balance, reserve, or carryover support that needs a recurrence check? | $28,117#66 NJ / #1 county; real +$7,142 | Rising real cost; Charter/Renaissance transfers; School-based budgeting69% local / 15% state; 19% transfers; 8% placement load | Current scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 69% of operating scalePeer gapState aid sits -28 pts vs county average | Tax levy drives proposalOperating +$25.4M; cost line +$827; School-based budgeting +$26.7M | Pull Fund-balance appropriation notes, reserve withdrawal rows, board minutes, and audit or ACFR schedules.Ask whether the source recurs, replaces aid or levy, bridges a one-year plan, or draws restricted reserves.Block Do not call planned source rows audited cash stress or recurring operating revenue. | Open report |
| Kearny TownHudson County | Separate outside-operating moneyIs the story about grants, special revenue, capital, facilities, or debt rather than recurring operating spending? | Outside-operating familyAre capital projects, facilities acquisition, reserve withdrawals, or debt-service rows distorting all-funds comparisons? | $24,037#176 NJ / #2 county; real +$5,366 | Rising real cost; One-time support; Side-file context40% local / 56% state; 8% transfers; 2% placement load | Proposal moveCapital, facilities, and debt changes -$19.3M in the latest fileCurrent scaleState aid represents 62% of operating scalePeer gapLocal taxes and local sources sits -12 pts vs county average | State revenue drives proposalOperating +$465,519; cost line +$1,370; Capital outlay -$9.6M | Pull Grant schedules, capital/debt schedules, line-item budget, source-row proof sections, and project or bond records.Ask whether the signal belongs to grants, capital, facilities, or debt before reading it as recurring operating spending.Block Do not add outside-operating source-family rows into one operating total or treat them as ordinary classroom spending. | Open report |
| North Bergen TwpHudson County | Test one-time supportIs the budget leaning on fund balance, reserve withdrawals, or carryover that must be checked for recurrence? | Fund balance/reserve familyIs the district leaning on fund balance, capital reserve, maintenance reserve, or similar one-time sources? | $19,742#441 NJ / #11 county; real -$493 | One-time support; Outside-operating scale; Side-file context44% local / 47% state; <1% transfers; 1% placement load | Proposal moveFund balance and reserves changes -$34.1M in the latest fileCurrent scaleState aid represents 52% of operating scalePeer gapFederal grants sits +26 pts vs county average | Capital proposal decreaseOperating -$19.3M; cost line +$1,086; Capital outlay -$24.7M | Pull Fund-balance appropriation notes, reserve withdrawal rows, recap schedules, board minutes, and audit or ACFR schedules.Ask whether the fund-balance or reserve row is recurring support, a one-year bridge, restricted, or paired with close-year balances.Block Do not call planned source-family rows audited cash stress, recurring revenue, or a structural deficit by themselves. | Open report |
| Secaucus TownHudson County | Follow operating fundingDid the budget move toward local levy, state aid, federal revenue, or fund balance? | Operating funding familyWhich aid lines explain dependence on state funding or first-to-latest movement? | $19,480#457 NJ / #12 county; real +$248 | Locally funded; One-time support; Side-file context82% local / 9% state; <1% transfers; 1% placement load | Real movementFund balance and reserves moved +$4.3M since 2019-20Current scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 84% of operating scalePeer gapState aid sits -46 pts vs county average | Mixed proposal movementOperating +$2.8M; cost line -$223; General current +$1.7M | Pull State-aid notices, levy worksheet, fund-balance notes, source-row proof sections, and tax-impact materials.Ask whether the source-family signal is a current revenue scale issue, a peer gap, a real movement, or a proposal-column move.Block Do not read General Fund operating source rows as all-funds revenue, taxpayer burden, or proof of cause without local records. | Open report |
| Union CityHudson County | Explain categoriesWhich spending or revenue family makes the budget look different? | Spending/category familyWhich remaining named rows deserve a closer district-level look? | $23,077#227 NJ / #5 county; real +$637 | State-funded; School-based budgeting; Placement load6% local / 88% state; <1% transfers; 11% placement load | Proposal moveOther named rows changes -$22.9M in the latest fileReal movementPreschool moved -$19.3M since 2019-20Current scaleState aid represents 100% of operating scale | Proposed comparative cost decreaseOperating -$16.1M; cost line -$1,993; General current -$17.6M | Pull Line-item budget, source-row proof sections, category atlas, proposal support, and local peer reports.Ask whether the named family is current scale, a peer gap, real movement, a current proposal move, or outside-operating context.Block Do not add nested source-family rows into one total or treat a family signal as cause, waste, adequacy, or recurring spending without local records. | Open report |
| Weehawken TwpHudson County | Explain categoriesWhich spending or revenue family makes the budget look different? | Spending/category familyWhich remaining named rows deserve a closer district-level look? | $22,226#271 NJ / #8 county; real +$2,283 | Locally funded; Outside-operating scale89% local / 8% state; <1% transfers; 1% placement load | Proposal moveOther named rows changes -$13.0M in the latest fileReal movementTransfers and tuition moved -$1.9M since 2019-20Current scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 94% of operating scale | Proposed comparative cost decreaseOperating -$5.5M; cost line -$2,772; General current -$4.6M | Pull Line-item budget, source-row proof sections, category atlas, proposal support, and local peer reports.Ask whether the named family is current scale, a peer gap, real movement, a current proposal move, or outside-operating context.Block Do not add nested source-family rows into one total or treat a family signal as cause, waste, adequacy, or recurring spending without local records. | Open report |
| West New York TownHudson County | Test one-time supportIs the budget leaning on fund balance, reserve withdrawals, or carryover that must be checked for recurrence? | One-time supportIs the budget using fund balance, reserve, or carryover support that needs a recurrence check? | $22,329#262 NJ / #6 county; real +$2,769 | School-based budgeting; Placement load; One-time support11% local / 74% state; <1% transfers; 9% placement load | Real movementFund balance and reserves moved +$24.1M since 2019-20Current scaleState aid represents 83% of operating scalePeer gapLocal taxes and local sources sits -41 pts vs county average | Fund-balance proposal shiftOperating +$17.3M; cost line +$1,061; General current +$13.2M | Pull Fund-balance appropriation notes, reserve withdrawal rows, board minutes, and audit or ACFR schedules.Ask whether the source recurs, replaces aid or levy, bridges a one-year plan, or draws restricted reserves.Block Do not call planned source rows audited cash stress or recurring operating revenue. | Open report |
| Alexandria TwpHunterdon County | Check students and service loadIs a per-student comparison really about denominator, placements, or student need? | Student/service familyIs preschool aid, carryover, instruction, or support service scale material? | $23,520#198 NJ / #20 county; real -$2,513 | Locally funded; Outside-operating scale; Side-file context88% local / 10% state; 0% transfers; 2% placement load | Real movementInstruction programs moved -$1.5M since 2019-20Proposal moveCapital, facilities, and debt changes -$1.3M in the latest fileCurrent scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 94% of operating scalePeer gapPreschool sits -24 pts vs county average | Fund-balance proposal shiftOperating -$498,146; cost line -$317; Capital outlay -$635,500 | Pull Tuition and placement schedules, preschool aid records, service-load rows, contracts, and source-row proof sections.Ask whether transfers, tuition, preschool, or special-education/support rows explain the comparison frame.Block Do not treat source-family rows as audited service counts, quality, adequacy, or a complete program ledger. | Open report |
| Bethlehem TwpHunterdon County | Check students and service loadIs a per-student comparison really about denominator, placements, or student need? | Student/service familyIs preschool aid, carryover, instruction, or support service scale material? | $24,055#175 NJ / #18 county; real -$5,796 | Locally funded; One-time support; Side-file context83% local / 9% state; 0% transfers; <1% placement load | Proposal moveCapital, facilities, and debt changes -$456,136 in the latest fileCurrent scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 85% of operating scalePeer gapPreschool sits -24 pts vs county average | Mixed proposal movementOperating -$57,633; cost line +$175; Capital outlay -$232,468 | Pull Tuition and placement schedules, preschool aid records, service-load rows, contracts, and source-row proof sections.Ask whether transfers, tuition, preschool, or special-education/support rows explain the comparison frame.Block Do not treat source-family rows as audited service counts, quality, adequacy, or a complete program ledger. | Open report |
| Bloomsbury BoroHunterdon County | Read the current proposalWhat changes now in the proposed column before the long-run trend is interpreted? | Current proposal changeWhat does the latest proposed budget column change right now? | $27,665#71 NJ / #8 county; real -$1,240 | Placement load; One-time support; Side-file context56% local / 26% state; 0% transfers; 29% placement load | Real movementSpecial revenue funds moved +$432,327 since 2019-20Proposal moveFund balance and reserves changes -$184,729 in the latest fileCurrent scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 56% of operating scale | Proposed comparative cost decreaseOperating -$124,150; cost line -$5,510; General current -$124,150 | Pull Proposed budget, revised/current column support, adoption minutes, budget hearing deck, and district FAQ.Ask what is recurring, one-time, grant-funded, enrollment-driven, negotiated, or reclassified.Block Do not treat nominal proposal movement as an audited result or inflation-adjusted trend. | Open report |
| Califon BoroHunterdon County | Separate outside-operating moneyIs the story about grants, special revenue, capital, facilities, or debt rather than recurring operating spending? | Outside-operating familyAre capital projects, facilities acquisition, reserve withdrawals, or debt-service rows distorting all-funds comparisons? | $28,513#61 NJ / #6 county; real -$16,447 | Locally funded; One-time support; Side-file context86% local / 3% state; 0% transfers; 3% placement load | Real movementCapital, facilities, and debt moved -$459,270 since 2019-20Proposal moveTransfers and tuition changes +$233,281 in the latest fileCurrent scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 83% of operating scalePeer gapPreschool sits -24 pts vs county average | Mixed proposal movementOperating +$181,528; cost line -$2,420; General current +$166,728 | Pull Grant schedules, capital/debt schedules, line-item budget, source-row proof sections, and project or bond records.Ask whether the signal belongs to grants, capital, facilities, or debt before reading it as recurring operating spending.Block Do not add outside-operating source-family rows into one operating total or treat them as ordinary classroom spending. | Open report |
| Clinton TwpHunterdon County | Separate outside-operating moneyIs the story about grants, special revenue, capital, facilities, or debt rather than recurring operating spending? | Outside-operating familyHow large are grant-funded or otherwise outside-operating programs relative to operating budgets? | $23,860#182 NJ / #19 county; real -$2,532 | Locally funded; One-time support; Outside-operating scale83% local / 8% state; <1% transfers; <1% placement load | Real movementSpecial revenue funds moved +$5.1M since 2019-20Current scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 88% of operating scalePeer gapCapital, facilities, and debt sits +14 pts vs county average | Mixed proposal movementOperating +$1.8M; cost line -$133; Capital outlay +$1.2M | Pull Grant schedules, capital/debt schedules, line-item budget, source-row proof sections, and project or bond records.Ask whether the signal belongs to grants, capital, facilities, or debt before reading it as recurring operating spending.Block Do not add outside-operating source-family rows into one operating total or treat them as ordinary classroom spending. | Open report |
| Clinton-Glen GardnerHunterdon County | Separate outside-operating moneyIs the story about grants, special revenue, capital, facilities, or debt rather than recurring operating spending? | Outside-operating familyHow large are grant-funded or otherwise outside-operating programs relative to operating budgets? | $19,764#440 NJ / #24 county; real -$4,776 | Locally funded; Side-file context84% local / 13% state; 0% transfers; <1% placement load | Real movementSpecial revenue funds moved +$2.1M since 2019-20Proposal moveFund balance and reserves changes -$854,566 in the latest fileCurrent scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 80% of operating scalePeer gapOther named rows sits -14 pts vs county average | Fund-balance proposal shiftOperating -$27,486; cost line -$472; Benefits +$351,315 | Pull Grant schedules, capital/debt schedules, line-item budget, source-row proof sections, and project or bond records.Ask whether the signal belongs to grants, capital, facilities, or debt before reading it as recurring operating spending.Block Do not add outside-operating source-family rows into one operating total or treat them as ordinary classroom spending. | Open report |
| Delaware TwpHunterdon County | Separate outside-operating moneyIs the story about grants, special revenue, capital, facilities, or debt rather than recurring operating spending? | Outside-operating familyAre capital projects, facilities acquisition, reserve withdrawals, or debt-service rows distorting all-funds comparisons? | $25,617#116 NJ / #14 county; real -$4,335 | Locally funded; Side-file context86% local / 11% state; 0% transfers; <1% placement load | Real movementCapital, facilities, and debt moved -$2.2M since 2019-20Current scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 86% of operating scalePeer gapOther named rows sits -13 pts vs county average | Mixed proposal movementOperating -$322,703; cost line +$492; Capital outlay -$619,433 | Pull Grant schedules, capital/debt schedules, line-item budget, source-row proof sections, and project or bond records.Ask whether the signal belongs to grants, capital, facilities, or debt before reading it as recurring operating spending.Block Do not add outside-operating source-family rows into one operating total or treat them as ordinary classroom spending. | Open report |
| Delaware Valley RegionalHunterdon County | Follow operating fundingDid the budget move toward local levy, state aid, federal revenue, or fund balance? | Operating funding familyWhich aid lines explain dependence on state funding or first-to-latest movement? | $25,634#115 NJ / #13 county; real -$4,571 | Locally funded; Placement load; Side-file context91% local / 7% state; 0% transfers; 6% placement load | Real movementState aid moved -$3.0M since 2019-20Proposal moveFund balance and reserves changes -$2.3M in the latest fileCurrent scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 90% of operating scalePeer gapPreschool sits -24 pts vs county average | Mixed proposal movementOperating -$1.1M; cost line -$71; Capital outlay -$912,298 | Pull State-aid notices, levy worksheet, fund-balance notes, source-row proof sections, and tax-impact materials.Ask whether the source-family signal is a current revenue scale issue, a peer gap, a real movement, or a proposal-column move.Block Do not read General Fund operating source rows as all-funds revenue, taxpayer burden, or proof of cause without local records. | Open report |
| East Amwell TwpHunterdon County | Separate outside-operating moneyIs the story about grants, special revenue, capital, facilities, or debt rather than recurring operating spending? | Outside-operating familyHow large are grant-funded or otherwise outside-operating programs relative to operating budgets? | $24,756#144 NJ / #16 county; real -$1,771 | Locally funded; Side-file context86% local / 10% state; 0% transfers; <1% placement load | Real movementSpecial revenue funds moved +$2.1M since 2019-20Current scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 88% of operating scalePeer gapOther named rows sits -12 pts vs county average | Mixed proposal movementOperating +$121,223; cost line -$108; General current +$227,089 | Pull Grant schedules, capital/debt schedules, line-item budget, source-row proof sections, and project or bond records.Ask whether the signal belongs to grants, capital, facilities, or debt before reading it as recurring operating spending.Block Do not add outside-operating source-family rows into one operating total or treat them as ordinary classroom spending. | Open report |
| Flemington-Raritan RegHunterdon County | Separate outside-operating moneyIs the story about grants, special revenue, capital, facilities, or debt rather than recurring operating spending? | Outside-operating familyHow large are grant-funded or otherwise outside-operating programs relative to operating budgets? | $19,574#451 NJ / #25 county; real -$3,090 | Locally funded; Outside-operating scale; Side-file context90% local / 10% state; <1% transfers; 4% placement load | Real movementSpecial revenue funds moved +$7.4M since 2019-20Current scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 97% of operating scalePeer gapOther named rows sits -14 pts vs county average | Tax levy drives proposalOperating +$3.3M; cost line +$78; Benefits +$2.6M | Pull Grant schedules, capital/debt schedules, line-item budget, source-row proof sections, and project or bond records.Ask whether the signal belongs to grants, capital, facilities, or debt before reading it as recurring operating spending.Block Do not add outside-operating source-family rows into one operating total or treat them as ordinary classroom spending. | Open report |
| Franklin TwpHunterdon County | Separate outside-operating moneyIs the story about grants, special revenue, capital, facilities, or debt rather than recurring operating spending? | Outside-operating familyHow large are grant-funded or otherwise outside-operating programs relative to operating budgets? | $26,457#93 NJ / #11 county; real +$323 | Locally funded; One-time support; Side-file context85% local / 9% state; 0% transfers; 2% placement load | Real movementSpecial revenue funds moved +$1.5M since 2019-20Proposal moveCapital, facilities, and debt changes -$1.5M in the latest fileCurrent scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 81% of operating scalePeer gapOther named rows sits -13 pts vs county average | UFB denominator movesOperating +$62,069; cost line -$1,132; General current +$390,483 | Pull Grant schedules, capital/debt schedules, line-item budget, source-row proof sections, and project or bond records.Ask whether the signal belongs to grants, capital, facilities, or debt before reading it as recurring operating spending.Block Do not add outside-operating source-family rows into one operating total or treat them as ordinary classroom spending. | Open report |
| Frenchtown BoroHunterdon County | Compare cost positionIs the district expensive, or just in a high-cost peer group? | Cost positionWhy does this district sit high on the published comparative-cost line? | $32,779#28 NJ / #2 county; real +$5,626 | High comparative cost; Rising real cost; Locally funded83% local / 11% state; 0% transfers; 2% placement load | Proposal moveFund balance and reserves changes -$612,625 in the latest fileCurrent scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 86% of operating scalePeer gapSpecial revenue funds sits +33 pts vs county average | Capital proposal decreaseOperating -$231,288; cost line +$1,199; Capital outlay -$305,034 | Pull Budget presentation, adopted budget book, staffing/program notes, and local peer reports.Ask whether county, scale, grade span, placements, transfers, or side files explain the rank.Block Do not turn comparative cost into waste, quality, or adequacy by itself. | Open report |
| Hampton BoroHunterdon County | Separate outside-operating moneyIs the story about grants, special revenue, capital, facilities, or debt rather than recurring operating spending? | Outside-operating familyHow large are grant-funded or otherwise outside-operating programs relative to operating budgets? | $28,408#62 NJ / #7 county; real -$3,899 | Placement load; One-time support; Side-file context62% local / 31% state; 0% transfers; 33% placement load | Real movementSpecial revenue funds moved +$1.1M since 2019-20Proposal moveTransfers and tuition changes +$177,399 in the latest fileCurrent scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 61% of operating scalePeer gapState aid sits +24 pts vs county average | Proposed comparative cost decreaseOperating +$129,017; cost line -$2,057; General current +$90,974 | Pull Grant schedules, capital/debt schedules, line-item budget, source-row proof sections, and project or bond records.Ask whether the signal belongs to grants, capital, facilities, or debt before reading it as recurring operating spending.Block Do not add outside-operating source-family rows into one operating total or treat them as ordinary classroom spending. | Open report |
| High Bridge BoroHunterdon County | Check students and service loadIs a per-student comparison really about denominator, placements, or student need? | Student/service familyIs preschool aid, carryover, instruction, or support service scale material? | $27,066#80 NJ / #10 county; real +$372 | Locally funded; One-time support; Outside-operating scale82% local / 9% state; 0% transfers; <1% placement load | Real movementPreschool moved +$3.5M since 2019-20Current scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 87% of operating scalePeer gapSpecial revenue funds sits +21 pts vs county average | Proposed comparative cost decreaseOperating -$255,349; cost line -$1,678; Benefits +$273,885 | Pull Tuition and placement schedules, preschool aid records, service-load rows, contracts, and source-row proof sections.Ask whether transfers, tuition, preschool, or special-education/support rows explain the comparison frame.Block Do not treat source-family rows as audited service counts, quality, adequacy, or a complete program ledger. | Open report |
| Holland TwpHunterdon County | Separate outside-operating moneyIs the story about grants, special revenue, capital, facilities, or debt rather than recurring operating spending? | Outside-operating familyHow large are grant-funded or otherwise outside-operating programs relative to operating budgets? | $24,163#169 NJ / #17 county; real +$371 | Locally funded; One-time support; Side-file context85% local / 10% state; 0% transfers; <1% placement load | Real movementSpecial revenue funds moved +$2.3M since 2019-20Proposal moveFund balance and reserves changes -$1.1M in the latest fileCurrent scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 84% of operating scalePeer gapOther named rows sits -13 pts vs county average | Mixed proposal movementOperating -$537,836; cost line -$97; Capital outlay -$350,486 | Pull Grant schedules, capital/debt schedules, line-item budget, source-row proof sections, and project or bond records.Ask whether the signal belongs to grants, capital, facilities, or debt before reading it as recurring operating spending.Block Do not add outside-operating source-family rows into one operating total or treat them as ordinary classroom spending. | Open report |
| Hunterdon Central RegHunterdon County | Separate outside-operating moneyIs the story about grants, special revenue, capital, facilities, or debt rather than recurring operating spending? | Outside-operating familyAre capital projects, facilities acquisition, reserve withdrawals, or debt-service rows distorting all-funds comparisons? | $27,523#73 NJ / #9 county; real +$2,305 | Locally funded; One-time support; Outside-operating scale81% local / 6% state; <1% transfers; 1% placement load | Real movementCapital, facilities, and debt moved -$9.8M since 2019-20Proposal moveFund balance and reserves changes -$6.2M in the latest fileCurrent scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 80% of operating scalePeer gapPreschool sits -24 pts vs county average | Mixed proposal movementOperating -$1.7M; cost line -$108; Capital outlay -$3.4M | Pull Grant schedules, capital/debt schedules, line-item budget, source-row proof sections, and project or bond records.Ask whether the signal belongs to grants, capital, facilities, or debt before reading it as recurring operating spending.Block Do not add outside-operating source-family rows into one operating total or treat them as ordinary classroom spending. | Open report |
| Hunterdon Co Ed Ser CommHunterdon County | Follow operating fundingDid the budget move toward local levy, state aid, federal revenue, or fund balance? | Operating funding familyWhich aid lines explain dependence on state funding or first-to-latest movement? | n/an/a NJ / n/a county; real n/a | Locally funded; Outside-operating scale; Side-file context100% local / n/a state; 0% transfers; n/a placement load | Proposal moveState aid changes -$239,284 in the latest fileCurrent scaleOther named rows represents 319% of operating scale | Mixed proposal movementOperating +$64,000; cost line n/a; Special schools +$62,476 | Pull State-aid notices, levy worksheet, fund-balance notes, source-row proof sections, and tax-impact materials.Ask whether the source-family signal is a current revenue scale issue, a peer gap, a real movement, or a proposal-column move.Block Do not read General Fund operating source rows as all-funds revenue, taxpayer burden, or proof of cause without local records. | Open report |
| Hunterdon Co VocationalHunterdon County | Read the current proposalWhat changes now in the proposed column before the long-run trend is interpreted? | Current proposal changeWhat does the latest proposed budget column change right now? | $14,577#565 NJ / #26 county; real +$16 | Locally funded; One-time support; Outside-operating scale80% local / 7% state; 0% transfers; 0% placement load | Current scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 54% of operating scalePeer gapTransfers and tuition sits +40 pts vs county average | Tax levy drives proposalOperating +$3.2M; cost line +$1,255; Capital outlay +$1.8M | Pull Proposed budget, revised/current column support, adoption minutes, budget hearing deck, and district FAQ.Ask what is recurring, one-time, grant-funded, enrollment-driven, negotiated, or reclassified.Block Do not treat nominal proposal movement as an audited result or inflation-adjusted trend. | Open report |
| Kingwood TwpHunterdon County | Read side-file contextWhich balances, reserves, unusual items, shared services, or listed roles change the story? | Balances and reservesDoes the close-year cushion change the budget interpretation? | $23,420#205 NJ / #21 county; real -$3,580 | Locally funded; Side-file context80% local / 10% state; 0% transfers; 1% placement load | Current scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 76% of operating scalePeer gapOther named rows sits -14 pts vs county average | Benefits drive proposed useOperating -$569,987; cost line -$519; Capital outlay -$394,613 | Pull Recap balance rows, audit or ACFR reserve schedules, board reserve actions, and budget notes.Ask what is restricted, recurring, planned drawdown, cushion, or close-year projection.Block Do not read recap balances as current operating appropriations or spendable cash. | Open report |
| Lebanon BoroHunterdon County | Compare cost positionIs the district expensive, or just in a high-cost peer group? | Cost positionWhy does this district sit high on the published comparative-cost line? | $29,512#51 NJ / #4 county; real +$6,169 | High comparative cost; Rising real cost; Locally funded91% local / 5% state; 0% transfers; 25% placement load | Current scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 89% of operating scalePeer gapPreschool sits -24 pts vs county average | Mixed proposal movementOperating +$40,337; cost line -$2,216; Plant operations -$57,588 | Pull Budget presentation, adopted budget book, staffing/program notes, and local peer reports.Ask whether county, scale, grade span, placements, transfers, or side files explain the rank.Block Do not turn comparative cost into waste, quality, or adequacy by itself. | Open report |
| Lebanon TwpHunterdon County | Separate outside-operating moneyIs the story about grants, special revenue, capital, facilities, or debt rather than recurring operating spending? | Outside-operating familyAre capital projects, facilities acquisition, reserve withdrawals, or debt-service rows distorting all-funds comparisons? | $25,536#120 NJ / #15 county; real -$1,552 | Locally funded; Side-file context87% local / 9% state; 0% transfers; 0% placement load | Proposal moveCapital, facilities, and debt changes -$2.5M in the latest fileReal movementState aid moved -$1.2M since 2019-20Current scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 82% of operating scalePeer gapPreschool sits -24 pts vs county average | Capital proposal decreaseOperating -$1.4M; cost line -$614; Capital outlay -$1.4M | Pull Grant schedules, capital/debt schedules, line-item budget, source-row proof sections, and project or bond records.Ask whether the signal belongs to grants, capital, facilities, or debt before reading it as recurring operating spending.Block Do not add outside-operating source-family rows into one operating total or treat them as ordinary classroom spending. | Open report |
| Milford BoroHunterdon County | Compare cost positionIs the district expensive, or just in a high-cost peer group? | Cost positionWhy does this district sit high on the published comparative-cost line? | $36,095#18 NJ / #1 county; real +$9,983 | High comparative cost; Rising real cost; Locally funded82% local / 13% state; 0% transfers; 41% placement load | Proposal moveOther named rows changes -$713,295 in the latest fileReal movementSpecial revenue funds moved +$478,050 since 2019-20Current scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 82% of operating scalePeer gapCapital, facilities, and debt sits -13 pts vs county average | Capital proposal decreaseOperating -$185,355; cost line -$1,925; Capital outlay -$347,273 | Pull Budget presentation, adopted budget book, staffing/program notes, and local peer reports.Ask whether county, scale, grade span, placements, transfers, or side files explain the rank.Block Do not turn comparative cost into waste, quality, or adequacy by itself. | Open report |
| North Hunterdon-Voorhees RegionalHunterdon County | Check students and service loadIs a per-student comparison really about denominator, placements, or student need? | Student/service familyIs preschool aid, carryover, instruction, or support service scale material? | $26,290#96 NJ / #12 county; real -$1,031 | Locally funded; One-time support; Side-file context85% local / 6% state; 0% transfers; 1% placement load | Real movementInstruction programs moved -$5.5M since 2019-20Proposal moveOther named rows changes -$2.1M in the latest fileCurrent scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 86% of operating scalePeer gapPreschool sits -24 pts vs county average | Proposed comparative cost decreaseOperating -$280,536; cost line -$3,823; Benefits +$817,633 | Pull Tuition and placement schedules, preschool aid records, service-load rows, contracts, and source-row proof sections.Ask whether transfers, tuition, preschool, or special-education/support rows explain the comparison frame.Block Do not treat source-family rows as audited service counts, quality, adequacy, or a complete program ledger. | Open report |
| Readington TwpHunterdon County | Separate outside-operating moneyIs the story about grants, special revenue, capital, facilities, or debt rather than recurring operating spending? | Outside-operating familyAre capital projects, facilities acquisition, reserve withdrawals, or debt-service rows distorting all-funds comparisons? | $23,115#225 NJ / #22 county; real -$2,938 | Locally funded; Side-file context89% local / 8% state; <1% transfers; <1% placement load | Proposal moveCapital, facilities, and debt changes -$7.8M in the latest fileReal movementSpecial revenue funds moved +$7.5M since 2019-20Current scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 94% of operating scalePeer gapOther named rows sits -14 pts vs county average | Proposed comparative cost decreaseOperating -$3.7M; cost line -$2,898; Capital outlay -$4.4M | Pull Grant schedules, capital/debt schedules, line-item budget, source-row proof sections, and project or bond records.Ask whether the signal belongs to grants, capital, facilities, or debt before reading it as recurring operating spending.Block Do not add outside-operating source-family rows into one operating total or treat them as ordinary classroom spending. | Open report |
| South Hunterdon Regional School DistrictHunterdon County | Compare cost positionIs the district expensive, or just in a high-cost peer group? | Cost positionWhy does this district sit high on the published comparative-cost line? | $29,016#56 NJ / #5 county; real +$3,181 | High comparative cost; Locally funded; Outside-operating scale83% local / 13% state; 0% transfers; 2% placement load | Proposal moveFund balance and reserves changes -$3.5M in the latest fileReal movementSpecial revenue funds moved +$2.1M since 2019-20Current scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 93% of operating scalePeer gapCapital, facilities, and debt sits +21 pts vs county average | Mixed proposal movementOperating -$743,057; cost line -$437; Capital outlay -$1.4M | Pull Budget presentation, adopted budget book, staffing/program notes, and local peer reports.Ask whether county, scale, grade span, placements, transfers, or side files explain the rank.Block Do not turn comparative cost into waste, quality, or adequacy by itself. | Open report |
| Tewksbury TwpHunterdon County | Test one-time supportIs the budget leaning on fund balance, reserve withdrawals, or carryover that must be checked for recurrence? | Fund balance/reserve familyIs the district leaning on fund balance, capital reserve, maintenance reserve, or similar one-time sources? | $31,531#40 NJ / #3 county; real +$674 | High comparative cost; Locally funded; High tax effort83% local / 8% state; 0% transfers; <1% placement load | Proposal moveFund balance and reserves changes -$4.2M in the latest fileCurrent scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 87% of operating scalePeer gapPreschool sits -24 pts vs county average | Capital proposal decreaseOperating -$1.9M; cost line +$448; Capital outlay -$2.3M | Pull Fund-balance appropriation notes, reserve withdrawal rows, recap schedules, board minutes, and audit or ACFR schedules.Ask whether the fund-balance or reserve row is recurring support, a one-year bridge, restricted, or paired with close-year balances.Block Do not call planned source-family rows audited cash stress, recurring revenue, or a structural deficit by themselves. | Open report |
| Union TwpHunterdon County | Separate outside-operating moneyIs the story about grants, special revenue, capital, facilities, or debt rather than recurring operating spending? | Outside-operating familyHow large are grant-funded or otherwise outside-operating programs relative to operating budgets? | $21,431#333 NJ / #23 county; real -$4,970 | Locally funded; Outside-operating scale; Side-file context84% local / 9% state; 0% transfers; 1% placement load | Real movementSpecial revenue funds moved +$2.1M since 2019-20Proposal moveFund balance and reserves changes -$413,339 in the latest fileCurrent scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 88% of operating scalePeer gapCapital, facilities, and debt sits +22 pts vs county average | Mixed proposal movementOperating +$103,737; cost line -$162; General current +$202,998 | Pull Grant schedules, capital/debt schedules, line-item budget, source-row proof sections, and project or bond records.Ask whether the signal belongs to grants, capital, facilities, or debt before reading it as recurring operating spending.Block Do not add outside-operating source-family rows into one operating total or treat them as ordinary classroom spending. | Open report |
| East Windsor RegionalMercer County | Follow operating fundingDid the budget move toward local levy, state aid, federal revenue, or fund balance? | Operating funding familyWhich aid lines explain dependence on state funding or first-to-latest movement? | $21,175#347 NJ / #9 county; real +$471 | One-time support; Side-file context58% local / 37% state; <1% transfers; 2% placement load | Real movementState aid moved +$15.2M since 2019-20Proposal moveCapital, facilities, and debt changes -$12.6M in the latest fileCurrent scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 59% of operating scalePeer gapTransfers and tuition sits -11 pts vs county average | Mixed proposal movementOperating -$3.2M; cost line +$131; Capital outlay -$6.1M | Pull State-aid notices, levy worksheet, fund-balance notes, source-row proof sections, and tax-impact materials.Ask whether the source-family signal is a current revenue scale issue, a peer gap, a real movement, or a proposal-column move.Block Do not read General Fund operating source rows as all-funds revenue, taxpayer burden, or proof of cause without local records. | Open report |
| Ewing TwpMercer County | Follow operating fundingDid the budget move toward local levy, state aid, federal revenue, or fund balance? | Operating funding familyWhich aid lines explain dependence on state funding or first-to-latest movement? | $23,005#231 NJ / #5 county; real +$35 | Side-file context70% local / 28% state; 1% transfers; 4% placement load | Real movementState aid moved +$11.5M since 2019-20Proposal moveFederal grants changes -$6.7M in the latest fileCurrent scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 72% of operating scalePeer gapTransfers and tuition sits -8 pts vs county average | Transfer proposal increaseOperating +$3.4M; cost line +$740; General current +$4.1M | Pull State-aid notices, levy worksheet, fund-balance notes, source-row proof sections, and tax-impact materials.Ask whether the source-family signal is a current revenue scale issue, a peer gap, a real movement, or a proposal-column move.Block Do not read General Fund operating source rows as all-funds revenue, taxpayer burden, or proof of cause without local records. | Open report |
| Hamilton TwpMercer County | Follow operating fundingDid the budget move toward local levy, state aid, federal revenue, or fund balance? | Operating funding familyWhich aid lines explain dependence on state funding or first-to-latest movement? | $18,438#515 NJ / #10 county; real -$479 | Side-file context48% local / 49% state; 3% transfers; 1% placement load | Proposal moveCapital, facilities, and debt changes -$16.7M in the latest fileCurrent scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 50% of operating scalePeer gapState aid sits +21 pts vs county average | Mixed proposal movementOperating +$4.3M; cost line +$705; General current +$13.7M | Pull State-aid notices, levy worksheet, fund-balance notes, source-row proof sections, and tax-impact materials.Ask whether the source-family signal is a current revenue scale issue, a peer gap, a real movement, or a proposal-column move.Block Do not read General Fund operating source rows as all-funds revenue, taxpayer burden, or proof of cause without local records. | Open report |
| Hopewell Valley RegionalMercer County | Follow operating fundingDid the budget move toward local levy, state aid, federal revenue, or fund balance? | Operating funding familyHow much of the budget story is local levy, tuition, fees, or miscellaneous local revenue? | $26,049#105 NJ / #2 county; real -$1,320 | Locally funded; Side-file context91% local / 7% state; <1% transfers; 2% placement load | Current scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 93% of operating scale | Mixed proposal movementOperating +$1.7M; cost line +$451; Benefits +$2.7M | Pull State-aid notices, levy worksheet, fund-balance notes, source-row proof sections, and tax-impact materials.Ask whether the source-family signal is a current revenue scale issue, a peer gap, a real movement, or a proposal-column move.Block Do not read General Fund operating source rows as all-funds revenue, taxpayer burden, or proof of cause without local records. | Open report |
| Lawrence TwpMercer County | Check students and service loadIs a per-student comparison really about denominator, placements, or student need? | Student/service familyIs preschool aid, carryover, instruction, or support service scale material? | $21,458#331 NJ / #8 county; real -$504 | Locally funded; Side-file context90% local / 8% state; <1% transfers; 3% placement load | Proposal movePreschool changes +$6.3M in the latest fileCurrent scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 93% of operating scale | Mixed proposal movementOperating +$495,771; cost line +$93; Benefits +$1.9M | Pull Tuition and placement schedules, preschool aid records, service-load rows, contracts, and source-row proof sections.Ask whether transfers, tuition, preschool, or special-education/support rows explain the comparison frame.Block Do not treat source-family rows as audited service counts, quality, adequacy, or a complete program ledger. | Open report |
| Mercer Co Special Services School DistrictMercer County | Compare cost positionIs the district expensive, or just in a high-cost peer group? | Cost positionWhy does this district sit high on the published comparative-cost line? | $95,262#2 NJ / #1 county; real +$3,946 | High comparative cost; Locally funded; Side-file context99% local / n/a state; 0% transfers; 0% placement load | Proposal moveFund balance and reserves changes -$13.6M in the latest fileReal movementLocal taxes and local sources moved +$6.2M since 2019-20Current scaleTransfers and tuition represents 86% of operating scale | Proposed comparative cost increaseOperating -$2.7M; cost line +$3,649; Capital outlay -$4.8M | Pull Budget presentation, adopted budget book, staffing/program notes, and local peer reports.Ask whether county, scale, grade span, placements, transfers, or side files explain the rank.Block Do not turn comparative cost into waste, quality, or adequacy by itself. | Open report |
| Mercer County VocationalMercer County | Read the current proposalWhat changes now in the proposed column before the long-run trend is interpreted? | Current proposal changeWhat does the latest proposed budget column change right now? | $22,246#269 NJ / #6 county; real -$173 | Side-file context65% local / 32% state; 0% transfers; 0% placement load | Proposal moveCapital, facilities, and debt changes -$15.7M in the latest fileCurrent scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 74% of operating scalePeer gapInstruction programs sits +25 pts vs county average | Proposed comparative cost increaseOperating -$7.0M; cost line +$3,753; Capital outlay -$8.0M | Pull Proposed budget, revised/current column support, adoption minutes, budget hearing deck, and district FAQ.Ask what is recurring, one-time, grant-funded, enrollment-driven, negotiated, or reclassified.Block Do not treat nominal proposal movement as an audited result or inflation-adjusted trend. | Open report |
| PrincetonMercer County | Separate outside-operating moneyIs the story about grants, special revenue, capital, facilities, or debt rather than recurring operating spending? | Outside-operating familyAre capital projects, facilities acquisition, reserve withdrawals, or debt-service rows distorting all-funds comparisons? | $25,220#131 NJ / #3 county; real -$769 | Locally funded; Outside-operating scale; Side-file context89% local / 7% state; 7% transfers; 4% placement load | Proposal moveCapital, facilities, and debt changes +$7.9M in the latest fileReal movementPreschool moved +$7.2M since 2019-20Current scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 89% of operating scale | Mixed proposal movementOperating +$2.3M; cost line +$117; General current +$2.3M | Pull Grant schedules, capital/debt schedules, line-item budget, source-row proof sections, and project or bond records.Ask whether the signal belongs to grants, capital, facilities, or debt before reading it as recurring operating spending.Block Do not add outside-operating source-family rows into one operating total or treat them as ordinary classroom spending. | Open report |
| Robbinsville TwpMercer County | Separate outside-operating moneyIs the story about grants, special revenue, capital, facilities, or debt rather than recurring operating spending? | Outside-operating familyHow large are grant-funded or otherwise outside-operating programs relative to operating budgets? | $18,252#522 NJ / #11 county; real +$1,806 | Locally funded; Outside-operating scale; Side-file context79% local / 17% state; <1% transfers; 2% placement load | Real movementSpecial revenue funds moved +$8.3M since 2019-20Proposal moveCapital, facilities, and debt changes -$7.4M in the latest fileCurrent scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 88% of operating scale | Mixed proposal movementOperating -$3.6M; cost line +$141; Capital outlay -$3.8M | Pull Grant schedules, capital/debt schedules, line-item budget, source-row proof sections, and project or bond records.Ask whether the signal belongs to grants, capital, facilities, or debt before reading it as recurring operating spending.Block Do not add outside-operating source-family rows into one operating total or treat them as ordinary classroom spending. | Open report |
| Trenton Public School DistrictMercer County | Separate outside-operating moneyIs the story about grants, special revenue, capital, facilities, or debt rather than recurring operating spending? | Outside-operating familyAre capital projects, facilities acquisition, reserve withdrawals, or debt-service rows distorting all-funds comparisons? | $24,083#173 NJ / #4 county; real +$1,388 | State-funded; Charter/Renaissance transfers; School-based budgeting6% local / 91% state; 15% transfers; 16% placement load | Proposal moveCapital, facilities, and debt changes -$72.5M in the latest fileCurrent scaleState aid represents 100% of operating scale | State revenue drives proposalOperating -$26.0M; cost line +$317; Capital outlay -$39.0M | Pull Grant schedules, capital/debt schedules, line-item budget, source-row proof sections, and project or bond records.Ask whether the signal belongs to grants, capital, facilities, or debt before reading it as recurring operating spending.Block Do not add outside-operating source-family rows into one operating total or treat them as ordinary classroom spending. | Open report |
| W Windsor-Plainsboro RegMercer County | Follow operating fundingDid the budget move toward local levy, state aid, federal revenue, or fund balance? | Operating funding familyWhich aid lines explain dependence on state funding or first-to-latest movement? | $21,462#330 NJ / #7 county; real +$1,343 | Locally funded; One-time support; Outside-operating scale79% local / 6% state; <1% transfers; 1% placement load | Current scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 79% of operating scalePeer gapState aid sits -22 pts vs county average | Mixed proposal movementOperating +$8.5M; cost line +$530; General current +$6.3M | Pull State-aid notices, levy worksheet, fund-balance notes, source-row proof sections, and tax-impact materials.Ask whether the source-family signal is a current revenue scale issue, a peer gap, a real movement, or a proposal-column move.Block Do not read General Fund operating source rows as all-funds revenue, taxpayer burden, or proof of cause without local records. | Open report |
| Carteret BoroMiddlesex County | Follow operating fundingDid the budget move toward local levy, state aid, federal revenue, or fund balance? | Operating funding familyHow much of the budget story is local levy, tuition, fees, or miscellaneous local revenue? | $19,664#447 NJ / #15 county; real +$2,571 | One-time support30% local / 60% state; <1% transfers; 2% placement load | Proposal moveFund balance and reserves changes +$6.1M in the latest fileCurrent scaleState aid represents 65% of operating scalePeer gapLocal taxes and local sources sits -29 pts vs county average | Mixed proposal movementOperating +$1.6M; cost line -$444; Capital outlay +$1.5M | Pull State-aid notices, levy worksheet, fund-balance notes, source-row proof sections, and tax-impact materials.Ask whether the source-family signal is a current revenue scale issue, a peer gap, a real movement, or a proposal-column move.Block Do not read General Fund operating source rows as all-funds revenue, taxpayer burden, or proof of cause without local records. | Open report |
| Cranbury TwpMiddlesex County | Compare cost positionIs the district expensive, or just in a high-cost peer group? | Cost positionWhy does this district sit high on the published comparative-cost line? | $33,045#26 NJ / #1 county; real +$12,938 | High comparative cost; Rising real cost; Locally funded90% local / 6% state; 0% transfers; 57% placement load | Proposal moveFund balance and reserves changes -$3.9M in the latest fileCurrent scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 92% of operating scale | Capital proposal decreaseOperating -$1.7M; cost line +$37; Capital outlay -$1.9M | Pull Budget presentation, adopted budget book, staffing/program notes, and local peer reports.Ask whether county, scale, grade span, placements, transfers, or side files explain the rank.Block Do not turn comparative cost into waste, quality, or adequacy by itself. | Open report |
| Dunellen BoroMiddlesex County | Follow operating fundingDid the budget move toward local levy, state aid, federal revenue, or fund balance? | Operating funding familyHow much of the budget story is local levy, tuition, fees, or miscellaneous local revenue? | $20,984#361 NJ / #9 county; real +$4,623 | Rising real cost; One-time support; Outside-operating scale35% local / 50% state; <1% transfers; 2% placement load | Proposal moveCapital, facilities, and debt changes +$4.1M in the latest fileCurrent scaleState aid represents 57% of operating scalePeer gapLocal taxes and local sources sits -24 pts vs county average | UFB denominator movesOperating +$3.6M; cost line -$568; General current +$2.3M | Pull State-aid notices, levy worksheet, fund-balance notes, source-row proof sections, and tax-impact materials.Ask whether the source-family signal is a current revenue scale issue, a peer gap, a real movement, or a proposal-column move.Block Do not read General Fund operating source rows as all-funds revenue, taxpayer burden, or proof of cause without local records. | Open report |
| East Brunswick TwpMiddlesex County | Read side-file contextWhich balances, reserves, unusual items, shared services, or listed roles change the story? | Unusual and shared-service contextDo one-off explanations or shared-service rows change the first read? | $19,850#436 NJ / #13 county; real -$371 | Locally funded; Side-file context77% local / 20% state; 3% transfers; 1% placement load | Proposal moveCapital, facilities, and debt changes -$7.2M in the latest fileCurrent scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 79% of operating scale | Transfer proposal increaseOperating -$1.2M; cost line +$32; Capital outlay -$3.8M | Pull Unusual-item explanations, shared-service agreements, board minutes, contracts, and local savings support.Ask whether the row duplicates another source line, is one-time, district-entered, or locally verified.Block Do not add unusual rows or reported savings to operating totals. | Open report |
| Edison TwpMiddlesex County | Follow operating fundingDid the budget move toward local levy, state aid, federal revenue, or fund balance? | Operating funding familyWhich aid lines explain dependence on state funding or first-to-latest movement? | $16,832#552 NJ / #23 county; real +$424 | One-time support; Outside-operating scale; Side-file context64% local / 26% state; <1% transfers; <1% placement load | Real movementState aid moved +$64.1M since 2019-20Proposal moveFund balance and reserves changes +$32.2M in the latest fileCurrent scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 64% of operating scalePeer gapPreschool sits -14 pts vs county average | Mixed proposal movementOperating +$17.2M; cost line +$419; General current +$14.3M | Pull State-aid notices, levy worksheet, fund-balance notes, source-row proof sections, and tax-impact materials.Ask whether the source-family signal is a current revenue scale issue, a peer gap, a real movement, or a proposal-column move.Block Do not read General Fund operating source rows as all-funds revenue, taxpayer burden, or proof of cause without local records. | Open report |
| Educational Services Commission of New JerseyMiddlesex County | Explain categoriesWhich spending or revenue family makes the budget look different? | Spending/category familyWhich remaining named rows deserve a closer district-level look? | n/an/a NJ / n/a county; real n/a | Locally funded; One-time support; Side-file context95% local / n/a state; 0% transfers; 0% placement load | Real movementOther named rows moved +$34.7M since 2019-20Proposal moveFund balance and reserves changes -$10.2M in the latest fileCurrent scaleTransportation represents 68% of operating scale | Mixed proposal movementOperating -$10.9M; cost line n/a; General current -$9.8M | Pull Line-item budget, source-row proof sections, category atlas, proposal support, and local peer reports.Ask whether the named family is current scale, a peer gap, real movement, a current proposal move, or outside-operating context.Block Do not add nested source-family rows into one total or treat a family signal as cause, waste, adequacy, or recurring spending without local records. | Open report |
| Highland Park BoroMiddlesex County | Test one-time supportIs the budget leaning on fund balance, reserve withdrawals, or carryover that must be checked for recurrence? | One-time supportIs the budget using fund balance, reserve, or carryover support that needs a recurrence check? | $23,126#224 NJ / #4 county; real +$694 | Locally funded; One-time support; Side-file context76% local / 16% state; 1% transfers; 2% placement load | Real movementCapital, facilities, and debt moved +$3.0M since 2019-20Current scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 80% of operating scale | Mixed proposal movementOperating +$2.2M; cost line +$240; Capital outlay +$2.0M | Pull Fund-balance appropriation notes, reserve withdrawal rows, board minutes, and audit or ACFR schedules.Ask whether the source recurs, replaces aid or levy, bridges a one-year plan, or draws restricted reserves.Block Do not call planned source rows audited cash stress or recurring operating revenue. | Open report |
| Jamesburg BoroMiddlesex County | Test one-time supportIs the budget leaning on fund balance, reserve withdrawals, or carryover that must be checked for recurrence? | One-time supportIs the budget using fund balance, reserve, or carryover support that needs a recurrence check? | $22,345#261 NJ / #6 county; real +$4,991 | Rising real cost; Placement load; One-time support25% local / 61% state; <1% transfers; 41% placement load | Current scaleCapital, facilities, and debt represents 71% of operating scale | Capital proposal decreaseOperating -$1.8M; cost line +$342; Capital outlay -$2.9M | Pull Fund-balance appropriation notes, reserve withdrawal rows, board minutes, and audit or ACFR schedules.Ask whether the source recurs, replaces aid or levy, bridges a one-year plan, or draws restricted reserves.Block Do not call planned source rows audited cash stress or recurring operating revenue. | Open report |
| Metuchen BoroMiddlesex County | Separate outside-operating moneyIs the story about grants, special revenue, capital, facilities, or debt rather than recurring operating spending? | Outside-operating familyAre capital projects, facilities acquisition, reserve withdrawals, or debt-service rows distorting all-funds comparisons? | $19,293#467 NJ / #19 county; real +$360 | Locally funded; One-time support; Outside-operating scale85% local / 6% state; <1% transfers; 1% placement load | Real movementCapital, facilities, and debt moved +$9.3M since 2019-20Current scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 92% of operating scale | Mixed proposal movementOperating -$700,911; cost line -$101; Capital outlay -$2.6M | Pull Grant schedules, capital/debt schedules, line-item budget, source-row proof sections, and project or bond records.Ask whether the signal belongs to grants, capital, facilities, or debt before reading it as recurring operating spending.Block Do not add outside-operating source-family rows into one operating total or treat them as ordinary classroom spending. | Open report |
| Middlesex BoroMiddlesex County | Follow operating fundingDid the budget move toward local levy, state aid, federal revenue, or fund balance? | Operating funding familyWhich aid lines explain dependence on state funding or first-to-latest movement? | $21,927#289 NJ / #7 county; real +$1,128 | One-time support; Side-file context59% local / 36% state; <1% transfers; 2% placement load | Real movementState aid moved +$6.7M since 2019-20Proposal movePreschool changes +$1.6M in the latest fileCurrent scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 59% of operating scalePeer gapCapital, facilities, and debt sits -10 pts vs county average | Mixed proposal movementOperating +$2.0M; cost line +$874; General current +$1.7M | Pull State-aid notices, levy worksheet, fund-balance notes, source-row proof sections, and tax-impact materials.Ask whether the source-family signal is a current revenue scale issue, a peer gap, a real movement, or a proposal-column move.Block Do not read General Fund operating source rows as all-funds revenue, taxpayer burden, or proof of cause without local records. | Open report |
| Middlesex Co VocationalMiddlesex County | Follow operating fundingDid the budget move toward local levy, state aid, federal revenue, or fund balance? | Operating funding familyHow much of the budget story is local levy, tuition, fees, or miscellaneous local revenue? | $19,439#461 NJ / #18 county; real -$1,600 | Side-file context59% local / 38% state; 0% transfers; 0% placement load | Current scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 115% of operating scale | Mixed proposal movementOperating +$544,083; cost line +$140; General current +$650,792 | Pull State-aid notices, levy worksheet, fund-balance notes, source-row proof sections, and tax-impact materials.Ask whether the source-family signal is a current revenue scale issue, a peer gap, a real movement, or a proposal-column move.Block Do not read General Fund operating source rows as all-funds revenue, taxpayer burden, or proof of cause without local records. | Open report |
| Milltown BoroMiddlesex County | Follow operating fundingDid the budget move toward local levy, state aid, federal revenue, or fund balance? | Operating funding familyWhich aid lines explain dependence on state funding or first-to-latest movement? | $20,659#377 NJ / #10 county; real +$7,583 | Rising real cost; Placement load; One-time support65% local / 25% state; <1% transfers; 40% placement load | Real movementState aid moved +$5.2M since 2019-20Proposal moveFund balance and reserves changes +$1.9M in the latest fileCurrent scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 65% of operating scalePeer gapTransfers and tuition sits +20 pts vs county average | Mixed proposal movementOperating +$1.1M; cost line -$631; General current +$926,854 | Pull State-aid notices, levy worksheet, fund-balance notes, source-row proof sections, and tax-impact materials.Ask whether the source-family signal is a current revenue scale issue, a peer gap, a real movement, or a proposal-column move.Block Do not read General Fund operating source rows as all-funds revenue, taxpayer burden, or proof of cause without local records. | Open report |
| Monroe TwpMiddlesex County | Check tax burdenIs the local burden about levy per student, estimated rate, tax base, or regional tax slices? | Tax effort and tax baseIs the local burden story about rate, levy per student, tax base, or regional slices? | $19,511#455 NJ / #17 county; real -$10 | Locally funded; Outside-operating scale; Side-file context89% local / 9% state; <1% transfers; 1% placement load | Current scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 93% of operating scale | Mixed proposal movementOperating +$4.1M; cost line +$639; General current +$4.7M | Pull Tax-rate side file, levy worksheet, municipal/regional slices, valuation notes, and budget tax-impact materials.Ask Separate levy per student, estimated rate, equalized value, and regional allocation before writing burden.Block Do not present estimated UFB tax-rate rows as tax-bill advice or audited property-tax data. | Open report |
| New Brunswick CityMiddlesex County | Separate outside-operating moneyIs the story about grants, special revenue, capital, facilities, or debt rather than recurring operating spending? | Outside-operating familyHow large are grant-funded or otherwise outside-operating programs relative to operating budgets? | $27,485#74 NJ / #2 county; real +$4,503 | Rising real cost; State-funded; School-based budgeting15% local / 77% state; 4% transfers; 8% placement load | Proposal moveSpecial revenue funds changes -$33.4M in the latest fileCurrent scaleState aid represents 86% of operating scale | State revenue drives proposalOperating +$5.9M; cost line +$229; Benefits +$5.4M | Pull Grant schedules, capital/debt schedules, line-item budget, source-row proof sections, and project or bond records.Ask whether the signal belongs to grants, capital, facilities, or debt before reading it as recurring operating spending.Block Do not add outside-operating source-family rows into one operating total or treat them as ordinary classroom spending. | Open report |
| North Brunswick TwpMiddlesex County | Follow operating fundingDid the budget move toward local levy, state aid, federal revenue, or fund balance? | Operating funding familyWhich aid lines explain dependence on state funding or first-to-latest movement? | $22,753#244 NJ / #5 county; real +$3,355 | Side-file context61% local / 38% state; 6% transfers; 4% placement load | Real movementState aid moved +$30.3M since 2019-20Proposal moveCapital, facilities, and debt changes -$7.6M in the latest fileCurrent scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 67% of operating scalePeer gapFund balance and reserves sits -7 pts vs county average | Mixed proposal movementOperating -$1.6M; cost line +$659; Capital outlay -$3.7M | Pull State-aid notices, levy worksheet, fund-balance notes, source-row proof sections, and tax-impact materials.Ask whether the source-family signal is a current revenue scale issue, a peer gap, a real movement, or a proposal-column move.Block Do not read General Fund operating source rows as all-funds revenue, taxpayer burden, or proof of cause without local records. | Open report |
| Old Bridge TwpMiddlesex County | Follow operating fundingDid the budget move toward local levy, state aid, federal revenue, or fund balance? | Operating funding familyWhich aid lines explain dependence on state funding or first-to-latest movement? | $19,235#471 NJ / #20 county; real -$1,184 | Locally funded; Side-file context84% local / 15% state; <1% transfers; 1% placement load | Real movementState aid moved -$26.3M since 2019-20Current scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 85% of operating scale | Tax levy drives proposalOperating +$16.6M; cost line +$1,017; General current +$17.3M | Pull State-aid notices, levy worksheet, fund-balance notes, source-row proof sections, and tax-impact materials.Ask whether the source-family signal is a current revenue scale issue, a peer gap, a real movement, or a proposal-column move.Block Do not read General Fund operating source rows as all-funds revenue, taxpayer burden, or proof of cause without local records. | Open report |
| Perth Amboy CityMiddlesex County | Test one-time supportIs the budget leaning on fund balance, reserve withdrawals, or carryover that must be checked for recurrence? | Fund balance/reserve familyIs the district leaning on fund balance, capital reserve, maintenance reserve, or similar one-time sources? | $24,070#174 NJ / #3 county; real -$1,184 | State-funded; School-based budgeting; Side-file context12% local / 87% state; 6% transfers; <1% placement load | Real movementFund balance and reserves moved -$61.4M since 2019-20Proposal moveEmployee benefits changes +$8.9M in the latest fileCurrent scaleState aid represents 97% of operating scale | Benefits drive proposed useOperating +$11.4M; cost line +$765; General current +$17.7M | Pull Fund-balance appropriation notes, reserve withdrawal rows, recap schedules, board minutes, and audit or ACFR schedules.Ask whether the fund-balance or reserve row is recurring support, a one-year bridge, restricted, or paired with close-year balances.Block Do not call planned source-family rows audited cash stress, recurring revenue, or a structural deficit by themselves. | Open report |
| Piscataway TwpMiddlesex County | Separate outside-operating moneyIs the story about grants, special revenue, capital, facilities, or debt rather than recurring operating spending? | Outside-operating familyAre capital projects, facilities acquisition, reserve withdrawals, or debt-service rows distorting all-funds comparisons? | $19,650#448 NJ / #16 county; real +$1,018 | Locally funded; One-time support; Side-file context76% local / 18% state; 1% transfers; 1% placement load | Real movementCapital, facilities, and debt moved -$22.7M since 2019-20Current scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 75% of operating scale | Mixed proposal movementOperating +$29,928; cost line +$897; General current +$6.3M | Pull Grant schedules, capital/debt schedules, line-item budget, source-row proof sections, and project or bond records.Ask whether the signal belongs to grants, capital, facilities, or debt before reading it as recurring operating spending.Block Do not add outside-operating source-family rows into one operating total or treat them as ordinary classroom spending. | Open report |
| Sayreville BoroMiddlesex County | Read the current proposalWhat changes now in the proposed column before the long-run trend is interpreted? | Current proposal changeWhat does the latest proposed budget column change right now? | $19,738#442 NJ / #14 county; real +$2,366 | One-time support; Outside-operating scale; Side-file context52% local / 34% state; 1% transfers; 3% placement load | Current scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 57% of operating scalePeer gapCapital, facilities, and debt sits +25 pts vs county average | Benefits drive proposed useOperating +$21.6M; cost line +$673; Capital outlay +$16.6M | Pull Proposed budget, revised/current column support, adoption minutes, budget hearing deck, and district FAQ.Ask what is recurring, one-time, grant-funded, enrollment-driven, negotiated, or reclassified.Block Do not treat nominal proposal movement as an audited result or inflation-adjusted trend. | Open report |
| South Amboy CityMiddlesex County | Follow operating fundingDid the budget move toward local levy, state aid, federal revenue, or fund balance? | Operating funding familyWhich aid lines explain dependence on state funding or first-to-latest movement? | $16,657#555 NJ / #24 county; real -$750 | Side-file context53% local / 43% state; <1% transfers; 2% placement load | Proposal moveFederal grants changes -$1.9M in the latest fileCurrent scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 55% of operating scalePeer gapState aid sits +13 pts vs county average | Mixed proposal movementOperating +$49,629; cost line -$6; Capital outlay +$497,942 | Pull State-aid notices, levy worksheet, fund-balance notes, source-row proof sections, and tax-impact materials.Ask whether the source-family signal is a current revenue scale issue, a peer gap, a real movement, or a proposal-column move.Block Do not read General Fund operating source rows as all-funds revenue, taxpayer burden, or proof of cause without local records. | Open report |
| South Brunswick TwpMiddlesex County | Separate outside-operating moneyIs the story about grants, special revenue, capital, facilities, or debt rather than recurring operating spending? | Outside-operating familyAre capital projects, facilities acquisition, reserve withdrawals, or debt-service rows distorting all-funds comparisons? | $19,205#473 NJ / #21 county; real +$1,131 | Locally funded87% local / 10% state; 1% transfers; 1% placement load | Real movementCapital, facilities, and debt moved -$18.3M since 2019-20Current scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 88% of operating scale | Mixed proposal movementOperating +$4.8M; cost line +$771; General current +$5.6M | Pull Grant schedules, capital/debt schedules, line-item budget, source-row proof sections, and project or bond records.Ask whether the signal belongs to grants, capital, facilities, or debt before reading it as recurring operating spending.Block Do not add outside-operating source-family rows into one operating total or treat them as ordinary classroom spending. | Open report |
| South Plainfield BoroMiddlesex County | Check students and service loadIs a per-student comparison really about denominator, placements, or student need? | Student/service familyIs preschool aid, carryover, instruction, or support service scale material? | $18,731#496 NJ / #22 county; real -$2,042 | Locally funded; Side-file context79% local / 19% state; <1% transfers; <1% placement load | Real movementPreschool moved +$10.8M since 2019-20Current scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 81% of operating scale | Tax levy drives proposalOperating +$4.1M; cost line +$75; General current +$3.8M | Pull Tuition and placement schedules, preschool aid records, service-load rows, contracts, and source-row proof sections.Ask whether transfers, tuition, preschool, or special-education/support rows explain the comparison frame.Block Do not treat source-family rows as audited service counts, quality, adequacy, or a complete program ledger. | Open report |
| South River BoroMiddlesex County | Test one-time supportIs the budget leaning on fund balance, reserve withdrawals, or carryover that must be checked for recurrence? | One-time supportIs the budget using fund balance, reserve, or carryover support that needs a recurrence check? | $20,399#396 NJ / #12 county; real +$3,492 | One-time support; Side-file context35% local / 59% state; 1% transfers; <1% placement load | Proposal moveCapital, facilities, and debt changes -$2.8M in the latest fileCurrent scaleState aid represents 65% of operating scale | Mixed proposal movementOperating +$260,824; cost line -$170; General current +$1.2M | Pull Fund-balance appropriation notes, reserve withdrawal rows, board minutes, and audit or ACFR schedules.Ask whether the source recurs, replaces aid or levy, bridges a one-year plan, or draws restricted reserves.Block Do not call planned source rows audited cash stress or recurring operating revenue. | Open report |
| Spotswood BoroMiddlesex County | Follow operating fundingDid the budget move toward local levy, state aid, federal revenue, or fund balance? | Operating funding familyWhich aid lines explain dependence on state funding or first-to-latest movement? | $20,452#391 NJ / #11 county; real +$617 | One-time support; Side-file context67% local / 20% state; <1% transfers; 1% placement load | Real movementFund balance and reserves moved +$2.5M since 2019-20Current scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 52% of operating scalePeer gapState aid sits -16 pts vs county average | Fund-balance proposal shiftOperating +$1.5M; cost line +$895; General current +$1.7M | Pull State-aid notices, levy worksheet, fund-balance notes, source-row proof sections, and tax-impact materials.Ask whether the source-family signal is a current revenue scale issue, a peer gap, a real movement, or a proposal-column move.Block Do not read General Fund operating source rows as all-funds revenue, taxpayer burden, or proof of cause without local records. | Open report |
| Woodbridge TwpMiddlesex County | Follow operating fundingDid the budget move toward local levy, state aid, federal revenue, or fund balance? | Operating funding familyWhich aid lines explain dependence on state funding or first-to-latest movement? | $21,066#354 NJ / #8 county; real +$2,919 | One-time support; Side-file context58% local / 34% state; 1% transfers; 1% placement load | Real movementState aid moved +$71.0M since 2019-20Proposal moveCapital, facilities, and debt changes -$41.7M in the latest fileCurrent scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 59% of operating scalePeer gapPreschool sits -14 pts vs county average | Transfer proposal increaseOperating -$13.2M; cost line -$122; Capital outlay -$26.0M | Pull State-aid notices, levy worksheet, fund-balance notes, source-row proof sections, and tax-impact materials.Ask whether the source-family signal is a current revenue scale issue, a peer gap, a real movement, or a proposal-column move.Block Do not read General Fund operating source rows as all-funds revenue, taxpayer burden, or proof of cause without local records. | Open report |
| AllenhurstMonmouth County | Test one-time supportIs the budget leaning on fund balance, reserve withdrawals, or carryover that must be checked for recurrence? | One-time supportIs the budget using fund balance, reserve, or carryover support that needs a recurrence check? | n/an/a NJ / n/a county; real n/a | One-time support; Side-file context69% local / 7% state; 0% transfers; n/a placement load | Proposal movePreschool changes -$83,262 in the latest fileCurrent scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 69% of operating scalePeer gapTransfers and tuition sits +48 pts vs county average | Mixed proposal movementOperating -$7,387; cost line n/a; Transportation +$27,994 | Pull Fund-balance appropriation notes, reserve withdrawal rows, board minutes, and audit or ACFR schedules.Ask whether the source recurs, replaces aid or levy, bridges a one-year plan, or draws restricted reserves.Block Do not call planned source rows audited cash stress or recurring operating revenue. | Open report |
| Asbury Park CityMonmouth County | Follow operating fundingDid the budget move toward local levy, state aid, federal revenue, or fund balance? | Operating funding familyWhich aid lines explain dependence on state funding or first-to-latest movement? | $33,850#23 NJ / #5 county; real -$8,306 | High comparative cost; Charter/Renaissance transfers; School-based budgeting63% local / 30% state; 22% transfers; 7% placement load | Real movementState aid moved -$43.3M since 2019-20Current scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 60% of operating scalePeer gapSpecial revenue funds sits +34 pts vs county average | Proposed comparative cost decreaseOperating +$4.9M; cost line -$1,653; Charter transfers +$2.2M | Pull State-aid notices, levy worksheet, fund-balance notes, source-row proof sections, and tax-impact materials.Ask whether the source-family signal is a current revenue scale issue, a peer gap, a real movement, or a proposal-column move.Block Do not read General Fund operating source rows as all-funds revenue, taxpayer burden, or proof of cause without local records. | Open report |
| Avon BoroMonmouth County | Compare cost positionIs the district expensive, or just in a high-cost peer group? | Cost positionWhy does this district sit high on the published comparative-cost line? | $33,657#24 NJ / #6 county; real +$7,717 | High comparative cost; Rising real cost; Locally funded82% local / 4% state; 0% transfers; 27% placement load | Proposal moveCapital, facilities, and debt changes +$417,769 in the latest fileCurrent scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 83% of operating scalePeer gapPreschool sits -21 pts vs county average | Proposed comparative cost decreaseOperating +$228,571; cost line -$3,947; Capital outlay +$210,000 | Pull Budget presentation, adopted budget book, staffing/program notes, and local peer reports.Ask whether county, scale, grade span, placements, transfers, or side files explain the rank.Block Do not turn comparative cost into waste, quality, or adequacy by itself. | Open report |
| Bayshore Jointure CommMonmouth County | Read the current proposalWhat changes now in the proposed column before the long-run trend is interpreted? | Current proposal changeWhat does the latest proposed budget column change right now? | n/an/a NJ / n/a county; real n/a | Locally funded; One-time support; Side-file context94% local / n/a state; 0% transfers; 0% placement load | Current scaleTransfers and tuition represents 93% of operating scale | UFB denominator movesOperating +$1.4M; cost line n/a; General current +$1.5M | Pull Proposed budget, revised/current column support, adoption minutes, budget hearing deck, and district FAQ.Ask what is recurring, one-time, grant-funded, enrollment-driven, negotiated, or reclassified.Block Do not treat nominal proposal movement as an audited result or inflation-adjusted trend. | Open report |
| Belmar BoroMonmouth County | Check students and service loadIs a per-student comparison really about denominator, placements, or student need? | Student/service familyDo charter/Renaissance transfers, tuition, or purchased placements change the budget story? | $23,673#192 NJ / #29 county; real +$2,968 | Locally funded; Placement load; Side-file context85% local / 8% state; <1% transfers; 41% placement load | Real movementFederal grants moved -$1.2M since 2019-20Current scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 77% of operating scalePeer gapTransfers and tuition sits +26 pts vs county average | Tax levy drives proposalOperating +$1.0M; cost line +$1,334; General current +$1.2M | Pull Tuition and placement schedules, preschool aid records, service-load rows, contracts, and source-row proof sections.Ask whether transfers, tuition, preschool, or special-education/support rows explain the comparison frame.Block Do not treat source-family rows as audited service counts, quality, adequacy, or a complete program ledger. | Open report |
| Bradley Beach BoroMonmouth County | Compare cost positionIs the district expensive, or just in a high-cost peer group? | Cost positionWhy does this district sit high on the published comparative-cost line? | $33,036#27 NJ / #8 county; real +$8,468 | High comparative cost; Rising real cost; Locally funded90% local / 5% state; 1% transfers; 45% placement load | Proposal moveSpecial revenue funds changes -$1.0M in the latest fileCurrent scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 90% of operating scale | Mixed proposal movementOperating +$132,359; cost line +$59; General current +$175,083 | Pull Budget presentation, adopted budget book, staffing/program notes, and local peer reports.Ask whether county, scale, grade span, placements, transfers, or side files explain the rank.Block Do not turn comparative cost into waste, quality, or adequacy by itself. | Open report |
| Brielle BoroMonmouth County | Check students and service loadIs a per-student comparison really about denominator, placements, or student need? | Student/service familyIs preschool aid, carryover, instruction, or support service scale material? | $22,010#284 NJ / #38 county; real +$554 | Locally funded; High tax effort; Placement load92% local / 7% state; 0% transfers; 50% placement load | Proposal moveOther named rows changes -$319,314 in the latest fileCurrent scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 91% of operating scalePeer gapPreschool sits -21 pts vs county average | Mixed proposal movementOperating -$163,417; cost line +$451; General current -$209,417 | Pull Tuition and placement schedules, preschool aid records, service-load rows, contracts, and source-row proof sections.Ask whether transfers, tuition, preschool, or special-education/support rows explain the comparison frame.Block Do not treat source-family rows as audited service counts, quality, adequacy, or a complete program ledger. | Open report |
| Colts Neck TwpMonmouth County | Check students and service loadIs a per-student comparison really about denominator, placements, or student need? | Student/service familyIs preschool aid, carryover, instruction, or support service scale material? | $27,244#77 NJ / #11 county; real -$1,005 | Locally funded; Side-file context85% local / 12% state; <1% transfers; 1% placement load | Proposal moveOther named rows changes -$1.3M in the latest fileCurrent scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 90% of operating scalePeer gapPreschool sits -21 pts vs county average | Mixed proposal movementOperating -$1.4M; cost line -$585; Plant operations -$721,827 | Pull Tuition and placement schedules, preschool aid records, service-load rows, contracts, and source-row proof sections.Ask whether transfers, tuition, preschool, or special-education/support rows explain the comparison frame.Block Do not treat source-family rows as audited service counts, quality, adequacy, or a complete program ledger. | Open report |
| Deal BoroMonmouth County | Compare cost positionIs the district expensive, or just in a high-cost peer group? | Cost positionWhy does this district sit high on the published comparative-cost line? | $34,944#20 NJ / #4 county; real +$9,264 | High comparative cost; Rising real cost; Placement load41% local / 48% state; 0% transfers; 10% placement load | Real movementCapital, facilities, and debt moved -$2.0M since 2019-20Current scaleState aid represents 48% of operating scalePeer gapLocal taxes and local sources sits -34 pts vs county average | Proposed comparative cost increaseOperating +$699,659; cost line +$4,455; General current +$699,409 | Pull Budget presentation, adopted budget book, staffing/program notes, and local peer reports.Ask whether county, scale, grade span, placements, transfers, or side files explain the rank.Block Do not turn comparative cost into waste, quality, or adequacy by itself. | Open report |
| Eatontown BoroMonmouth County | Check students and service loadIs a per-student comparison really about denominator, placements, or student need? | Student/service familyIs preschool aid, carryover, instruction, or support service scale material? | $25,276#129 NJ / #19 county; real +$833 | Locally funded; Placement load; One-time support85% local / 9% state; <1% transfers; 9% placement load | Real movementPreschool moved +$5.2M since 2019-20Current scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 89% of operating scalePeer gapSpecial revenue funds sits +20 pts vs county average | Tax levy drives proposalOperating +$910,342; cost line +$655; General current +$1.2M | Pull Tuition and placement schedules, preschool aid records, service-load rows, contracts, and source-row proof sections.Ask whether transfers, tuition, preschool, or special-education/support rows explain the comparison frame.Block Do not treat source-family rows as audited service counts, quality, adequacy, or a complete program ledger. | Open report |
| Fair Haven BoroMonmouth County | Check students and service loadIs a per-student comparison really about denominator, placements, or student need? | Student/service familyIs preschool aid, carryover, instruction, or support service scale material? | $19,580#450 NJ / #47 county; real -$652 | Locally funded; One-time support; Side-file context86% local / 7% state; 0% transfers; <1% placement load | Real movementCapital, facilities, and debt moved +$1.5M since 2019-20Current scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 91% of operating scalePeer gapPreschool sits -21 pts vs county average | Mixed proposal movementOperating +$874,250; cost line +$190; Benefits +$536,860 | Pull Tuition and placement schedules, preschool aid records, service-load rows, contracts, and source-row proof sections.Ask whether transfers, tuition, preschool, or special-education/support rows explain the comparison frame.Block Do not treat source-family rows as audited service counts, quality, adequacy, or a complete program ledger. | Open report |
| Farmingdale BoroMonmouth County | Separate outside-operating moneyIs the story about grants, special revenue, capital, facilities, or debt rather than recurring operating spending? | Outside-operating familyHow large are grant-funded or otherwise outside-operating programs relative to operating budgets? | $23,741#190 NJ / #28 county; real -$335 | Locally funded; One-time support; Outside-operating scale76% local / 16% state; 1% transfers; 1% placement load | Proposal moveFund balance and reserves changes +$158,432 in the latest fileCurrent scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 82% of operating scalePeer gapSpecial revenue funds sits +22 pts vs county average | Mixed proposal movementOperating +$180,732; cost line -$391; General current +$182,233 | Pull Grant schedules, capital/debt schedules, line-item budget, source-row proof sections, and project or bond records.Ask whether the signal belongs to grants, capital, facilities, or debt before reading it as recurring operating spending.Block Do not add outside-operating source-family rows into one operating total or treat them as ordinary classroom spending. | Open report |
| Freehold BoroMonmouth County | Check students and service loadIs a per-student comparison really about denominator, placements, or student need? | Fall enrollment and needDoes the same-year fall enrollment table change the denominator or student-need read? | $25,045#135 NJ / #20 county; real +$6,419 | Rising real cost; Side-file context30% local / 66% state; 0% transfers; 3% placement load | Proposal moveSpecial revenue funds changes -$2.6M in the latest fileCurrent scaleState aid represents 72% of operating scale | Mixed proposal movementOperating +$248,489; cost line +$1,256; General current +$1.3M | Pull Fall enrollment files, enrollment projections, FRL/ML/homelessness context, and district planning documents.Ask whether the UFB denominator and fall enrollment point to different student-load stories.Block Do not silently replace NJDOE's comparative-cost denominator with fall enrollment. | Open report |
| Freehold RegionalMonmouth County | Follow operating fundingDid the budget move toward local levy, state aid, federal revenue, or fund balance? | Operating funding familyWhich aid lines explain dependence on state funding or first-to-latest movement? | $18,549#507 NJ / #49 county; real -$1,111 | Locally funded; One-time support; Side-file context81% local / 14% state; <1% transfers; 3% placement load | Real movementState aid moved -$28.3M since 2019-20Current scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 81% of operating scalePeer gapPreschool sits -21 pts vs county average | Tax levy drives proposalOperating +$19.4M; cost line +$1,032; Capital outlay +$11.9M | Pull State-aid notices, levy worksheet, fund-balance notes, source-row proof sections, and tax-impact materials.Ask whether the source-family signal is a current revenue scale issue, a peer gap, a real movement, or a proposal-column move.Block Do not read General Fund operating source rows as all-funds revenue, taxpayer burden, or proof of cause without local records. | Open report |
| Freehold TwpMonmouth County | Check students and service loadIs a per-student comparison really about denominator, placements, or student need? | Student/service familyIs preschool aid, carryover, instruction, or support service scale material? | $24,632#148 NJ / #22 county; real +$825 | Locally funded; Side-file context89% local / 8% state; <1% transfers; <1% placement load | Proposal moveCapital, facilities, and debt changes -$5.0M in the latest fileCurrent scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 93% of operating scalePeer gapPreschool sits -21 pts vs county average | Mixed proposal movementOperating -$960,207; cost line +$708; Capital outlay -$2.8M | Pull Tuition and placement schedules, preschool aid records, service-load rows, contracts, and source-row proof sections.Ask whether transfers, tuition, preschool, or special-education/support rows explain the comparison frame.Block Do not treat source-family rows as audited service counts, quality, adequacy, or a complete program ledger. | Open report |
| Hazlet TwpMonmouth County | Follow operating fundingDid the budget move toward local levy, state aid, federal revenue, or fund balance? | Operating funding familyWhich aid lines explain dependence on state funding or first-to-latest movement? | $21,015#358 NJ / #40 county; real -$1,665 | Locally funded; One-time support; Side-file context76% local / 11% state; <1% transfers; 3% placement load | Real movementState aid moved -$8.6M since 2019-20Proposal moveFund balance and reserves changes +$6.7M in the latest fileCurrent scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 78% of operating scalePeer gapPreschool sits -21 pts vs county average | Mixed proposal movementOperating +$6.5M; cost line +$1,327; General current +$3.6M | Pull State-aid notices, levy worksheet, fund-balance notes, source-row proof sections, and tax-impact materials.Ask whether the source-family signal is a current revenue scale issue, a peer gap, a real movement, or a proposal-column move.Block Do not read General Fund operating source rows as all-funds revenue, taxpayer burden, or proof of cause without local records. | Open report |
| Henry Hudson RegionalMonmouth County | Test one-time supportIs the budget leaning on fund balance, reserve withdrawals, or carryover that must be checked for recurrence? | One-time supportIs the budget using fund balance, reserve, or carryover support that needs a recurrence check? | $27,802#69 NJ / #10 county; real -$551 | Locally funded; One-time support; Side-file context84% local / 5% state; 0% transfers; 2% placement load | Real movementCapital, facilities, and debt moved -$2.2M since 2024-25Current scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 86% of operating scalePeer gapTransfers and tuition sits -12 pts vs county average | Mixed proposal movementOperating -$1.3M; cost line -$754; Capital outlay -$960,038 | Pull Fund-balance appropriation notes, reserve withdrawal rows, board minutes, and audit or ACFR schedules.Ask whether the source recurs, replaces aid or levy, bridges a one-year plan, or draws restricted reserves.Block Do not call planned source rows audited cash stress or recurring operating revenue. | Open report |
| Holmdel TwpMonmouth County | Check students and service loadIs a per-student comparison really about denominator, placements, or student need? | Student/service familyIs preschool aid, carryover, instruction, or support service scale material? | $22,962#233 NJ / #34 county; real -$6 | Locally funded; Side-file context92% local / 7% state; 0% transfers; 1% placement load | Current scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 95% of operating scalePeer gapPreschool sits -21 pts vs county average | Mixed proposal movementOperating +$2.5M; cost line +$1,063; General current +$3.3M | Pull Tuition and placement schedules, preschool aid records, service-load rows, contracts, and source-row proof sections.Ask whether transfers, tuition, preschool, or special-education/support rows explain the comparison frame.Block Do not treat source-family rows as audited service counts, quality, adequacy, or a complete program ledger. | Open report |
| Howell TwpMonmouth County | Separate outside-operating moneyIs the story about grants, special revenue, capital, facilities, or debt rather than recurring operating spending? | Outside-operating familyHow large are grant-funded or otherwise outside-operating programs relative to operating budgets? | $20,549#384 NJ / #42 county; real -$2,882 | One-time support; Outside-operating scale; Side-file context72% local / 16% state; <1% transfers; <1% placement load | Real movementSpecial revenue funds moved +$22.4M since 2019-20Current scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 71% of operating scalePeer gapTransfers and tuition sits -17 pts vs county average | Mixed proposal movementOperating -$147,464; cost line -$447; Transportation -$733,324 | Pull Grant schedules, capital/debt schedules, line-item budget, source-row proof sections, and project or bond records.Ask whether the signal belongs to grants, capital, facilities, or debt before reading it as recurring operating spending.Block Do not add outside-operating source-family rows into one operating total or treat them as ordinary classroom spending. | Open report |
| InterlakenMonmouth County | Check students and service loadIs a per-student comparison really about denominator, placements, or student need? | Student/service familyDo charter/Renaissance transfers, tuition, or purchased placements change the budget story? | n/an/a NJ / n/a county; real n/a | Locally funded; One-time support; Side-file context83% local / 10% state; 0% transfers; n/a placement load | Current scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 83% of operating scalePeer gapTransfers and tuition sits +51 pts vs county average | Mixed proposal movementOperating -$80,728; cost line n/a; General current -$80,678 | Pull Tuition and placement schedules, preschool aid records, service-load rows, contracts, and source-row proof sections.Ask whether transfers, tuition, preschool, or special-education/support rows explain the comparison frame.Block Do not treat source-family rows as audited service counts, quality, adequacy, or a complete program ledger. | Open report |
| Keansburg BoroMonmouth County | Test one-time supportIs the budget leaning on fund balance, reserve withdrawals, or carryover that must be checked for recurrence? | One-time supportIs the budget using fund balance, reserve, or carryover support that needs a recurrence check? | $24,572#151 NJ / #23 county; real -$906 | School-based budgeting; One-time support; Side-file context22% local / 61% state; 1% transfers; 4% placement load | Proposal moveOther named rows changes -$5.7M in the latest fileCurrent scaleState aid represents 69% of operating scalePeer gapLocal taxes and local sources sits -54 pts vs county average | State revenue drives proposalOperating +$841,412; cost line -$193; General current +$1.3M | Pull Fund-balance appropriation notes, reserve withdrawal rows, board minutes, and audit or ACFR schedules.Ask whether the source recurs, replaces aid or levy, bridges a one-year plan, or draws restricted reserves.Block Do not call planned source rows audited cash stress or recurring operating revenue. | Open report |
| Keyport BoroMonmouth County | Test one-time supportIs the budget leaning on fund balance, reserve withdrawals, or carryover that must be checked for recurrence? | One-time supportIs the budget using fund balance, reserve, or carryover support that needs a recurrence check? | $24,425#160 NJ / #24 county; real +$1,539 | One-time support; Side-file context62% local / 25% state; <1% transfers; 1% placement load | Real movementPreschool moved +$1.9M since 2019-20Proposal moveCapital, facilities, and debt changes -$1.1M in the latest fileCurrent scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 57% of operating scale | Mixed proposal movementOperating +$32,316; cost line +$1,327; General current +$595,539 | Pull Fund-balance appropriation notes, reserve withdrawal rows, board minutes, and audit or ACFR schedules.Ask whether the source recurs, replaces aid or levy, bridges a one-year plan, or draws restricted reserves.Block Do not call planned source rows audited cash stress or recurring operating revenue. | Open report |
| Lake ComoMonmouth County | Read the current proposalWhat changes now in the proposed column before the long-run trend is interpreted? | Current proposal changeWhat does the latest proposed budget column change right now? | n/an/a NJ / n/a county; real n/a | Locally funded; Side-file context91% local / 9% state; 1% transfers; n/a placement load | Current scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 91% of operating scalePeer gapTransfers and tuition sits +66 pts vs county average | Mixed proposal movementOperating -$110,598; cost line n/a; General current -$115,400 | Pull Proposed budget, revised/current column support, adoption minutes, budget hearing deck, and district FAQ.Ask what is recurring, one-time, grant-funded, enrollment-driven, negotiated, or reclassified.Block Do not treat nominal proposal movement as an audited result or inflation-adjusted trend. | Open report |
| Little Silver BoroMonmouth County | Test one-time supportIs the budget leaning on fund balance, reserve withdrawals, or carryover that must be checked for recurrence? | Fund balance/reserve familyIs the district leaning on fund balance, capital reserve, maintenance reserve, or similar one-time sources? | $24,803#143 NJ / #21 county; real +$3,823 | Locally funded; One-time support; Outside-operating scale85% local / 5% state; <1% transfers; <1% placement load | Proposal moveFund balance and reserves changes -$4.7M in the latest fileCurrent scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 93% of operating scalePeer gapCapital, facilities, and debt sits +24 pts vs county average | Fund-balance proposal shiftOperating -$1.8M; cost line +$990; Capital outlay -$2.6M | Pull Fund-balance appropriation notes, reserve withdrawal rows, recap schedules, board minutes, and audit or ACFR schedules.Ask whether the fund-balance or reserve row is recurring support, a one-year bridge, restricted, or paired with close-year balances.Block Do not call planned source-family rows audited cash stress, recurring revenue, or a structural deficit by themselves. | Open report |
| Loch Arbour School DistrictMonmouth County | Test one-time supportIs the budget leaning on fund balance, reserve withdrawals, or carryover that must be checked for recurrence? | One-time supportIs the budget using fund balance, reserve, or carryover support that needs a recurrence check? | n/an/a NJ / n/a county; real n/a | One-time support; Side-file context18% local / 2% state; 0% transfers; n/a placement load | Current scaleFund balance and reserves represents 80% of operating scale | Fund-balance proposal shiftOperating +$21,191; cost line n/a; General current +$21,191 | Pull Fund-balance appropriation notes, reserve withdrawal rows, board minutes, and audit or ACFR schedules.Ask whether the source recurs, replaces aid or levy, bridges a one-year plan, or draws restricted reserves.Block Do not call planned source rows audited cash stress or recurring operating revenue. | Open report |
| Long Branch CityMonmouth County | Separate outside-operating moneyIs the story about grants, special revenue, capital, facilities, or debt rather than recurring operating spending? | Outside-operating familyHow large are grant-funded or otherwise outside-operating programs relative to operating budgets? | $22,521#254 NJ / #35 county; real +$885 | School-based budgeting; One-time support; Side-file context58% local / 35% state; <1% transfers; 1% placement load | Proposal moveSpecial revenue funds changes -$17.4M in the latest fileCurrent scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 57% of operating scalePeer gapState aid sits +27 pts vs county average | Tax levy drives proposalOperating +$1.1M; cost line +$197; School-based budgeting +$4.3M | Pull Grant schedules, capital/debt schedules, line-item budget, source-row proof sections, and project or bond records.Ask whether the signal belongs to grants, capital, facilities, or debt before reading it as recurring operating spending.Block Do not add outside-operating source-family rows into one operating total or treat them as ordinary classroom spending. | Open report |
| Manalapan-Englishtown RegMonmouth County | Follow operating fundingDid the budget move toward local levy, state aid, federal revenue, or fund balance? | Operating funding familyWhich aid lines explain dependence on state funding or first-to-latest movement? | $19,699#443 NJ / #46 county; real -$6 | Locally funded; One-time support; Side-file context85% local / 9% state; <1% transfers; 1% placement load | Real movementState aid moved -$13.1M since 2019-20Current scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 89% of operating scalePeer gapPreschool sits -21 pts vs county average | Benefits drive proposed useOperating +$2.4M; cost line +$693; General current +$4.5M | Pull State-aid notices, levy worksheet, fund-balance notes, source-row proof sections, and tax-impact materials.Ask whether the source-family signal is a current revenue scale issue, a peer gap, a real movement, or a proposal-column move.Block Do not read General Fund operating source rows as all-funds revenue, taxpayer burden, or proof of cause without local records. | Open report |
| Manasquan BoroMonmouth County | Check students and service loadIs a per-student comparison really about denominator, placements, or student need? | Student/service familyDo charter/Renaissance transfers, tuition, or purchased placements change the budget story? | $23,805#184 NJ / #27 county; real +$1,449 | Locally funded; Side-file context93% local / 3% state; 0% transfers; 1% placement load | Real movementCapital, facilities, and debt moved +$2.3M since 2019-20Proposal moveFund balance and reserves changes +$538,973 in the latest fileCurrent scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 56% of operating scalePeer gapTransfers and tuition sits +26 pts vs county average | Mixed proposal movementOperating +$1.3M; cost line +$437; General current +$1.1M | Pull Tuition and placement schedules, preschool aid records, service-load rows, contracts, and source-row proof sections.Ask whether transfers, tuition, preschool, or special-education/support rows explain the comparison frame.Block Do not treat source-family rows as audited service counts, quality, adequacy, or a complete program ledger. | Open report |
| Marlboro TwpMonmouth County | Separate outside-operating moneyIs the story about grants, special revenue, capital, facilities, or debt rather than recurring operating spending? | Outside-operating familyAre capital projects, facilities acquisition, reserve withdrawals, or debt-service rows distorting all-funds comparisons? | $21,008#359 NJ / #41 county; real +$108 | Locally funded; Side-file context89% local / 8% state; <1% transfers; <1% placement load | Real movementCapital, facilities, and debt moved -$12.8M since 2019-20Current scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 88% of operating scalePeer gapPreschool sits -21 pts vs county average | Mixed proposal movementOperating +$2.0M; cost line +$536; General current +$3.0M | Pull Grant schedules, capital/debt schedules, line-item budget, source-row proof sections, and project or bond records.Ask whether the signal belongs to grants, capital, facilities, or debt before reading it as recurring operating spending.Block Do not add outside-operating source-family rows into one operating total or treat them as ordinary classroom spending. | Open report |
| Matawan-Aberdeen RegionalMonmouth County | Separate outside-operating moneyIs the story about grants, special revenue, capital, facilities, or debt rather than recurring operating spending? | Outside-operating familyHow large are grant-funded or otherwise outside-operating programs relative to operating budgets? | $20,115#421 NJ / #44 county; real -$712 | Locally funded; Side-file context79% local / 20% state; <1% transfers; 2% placement load | Real movementSpecial revenue funds moved +$16.4M since 2019-20Proposal moveFederal grants changes -$3.8M in the latest fileCurrent scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 82% of operating scalePeer gapState aid sits +13 pts vs county average | Mixed proposal movementOperating +$1.1M; cost line +$90; General current +$1.4M | Pull Grant schedules, capital/debt schedules, line-item budget, source-row proof sections, and project or bond records.Ask whether the signal belongs to grants, capital, facilities, or debt before reading it as recurring operating spending.Block Do not add outside-operating source-family rows into one operating total or treat them as ordinary classroom spending. | Open report |
| Middletown TwpMonmouth County | Check students and service loadIs a per-student comparison really about denominator, placements, or student need? | Student/service familyIs preschool aid, carryover, instruction, or support service scale material? | $20,220#414 NJ / #43 county; real +$935 | Locally funded; Side-file context91% local / 9% state; <1% transfers; 1% placement load | Real movementState aid moved -$7.1M since 2019-20Current scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 93% of operating scalePeer gapPreschool sits -21 pts vs county average | Tax levy drives proposalOperating +$10.5M; cost line +$1,293; General current +$11.6M | Pull Tuition and placement schedules, preschool aid records, service-load rows, contracts, and source-row proof sections.Ask whether transfers, tuition, preschool, or special-education/support rows explain the comparison frame.Block Do not treat source-family rows as audited service counts, quality, adequacy, or a complete program ledger. | Open report |
| Millstone TwpMonmouth County | Check students and service loadIs a per-student comparison really about denominator, placements, or student need? | Student/service familyIs preschool aid, carryover, instruction, or support service scale material? | $24,193#168 NJ / #25 county; real -$1,076 | Locally funded; High tax effort; Placement load83% local / 8% state; 0% transfers; 43% placement load | Current scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 88% of operating scalePeer gapPreschool sits -21 pts vs county average | Mixed proposal movementOperating +$1.1M; cost line +$1,392; General current +$1.5M | Pull Tuition and placement schedules, preschool aid records, service-load rows, contracts, and source-row proof sections.Ask whether transfers, tuition, preschool, or special-education/support rows explain the comparison frame.Block Do not treat source-family rows as audited service counts, quality, adequacy, or a complete program ledger. | Open report |
| Monmouth Beach BoroMonmouth County | Explain categoriesWhich spending or revenue family makes the budget look different? | Spending/category familyWhich classroom or instructional program rows define the core spending structure? | $26,781#88 NJ / #13 county; real +$3,935 | Locally funded; Side-file context94% local / 4% state; 0% transfers; <1% placement load | Proposal moveSpecial revenue funds changes -$399,010 in the latest fileReal movementEmployee benefits moved +$344,376 since 2019-20Current scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 93% of operating scalePeer gapInstruction programs sits +21 pts vs county average | Proposed comparative cost decreaseOperating -$265,563; cost line -$2,310; General current -$262,274 | Pull Line-item budget, source-row proof sections, category atlas, proposal support, and local peer reports.Ask whether the named family is current scale, a peer gap, real movement, a current proposal move, or outside-operating context.Block Do not add nested source-family rows into one total or treat a family signal as cause, waste, adequacy, or recurring spending without local records. | Open report |
| Monmouth Co VocationalMonmouth County | Explain categoriesWhich spending or revenue family makes the budget look different? | Spending/category familyWhich classroom or instructional program rows define the core spending structure? | $22,238#270 NJ / #36 county; real -$2,250 | Locally funded; Side-file context79% local / 16% state; 0% transfers; 0% placement load | Proposal moveOther named rows changes -$1.6M in the latest fileCurrent scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 86% of operating scalePeer gapInstruction programs sits +31 pts vs county average | Mixed proposal movementOperating +$1.1M; cost line +$208; General current +$2.1M | Pull Line-item budget, source-row proof sections, category atlas, proposal support, and local peer reports.Ask whether the named family is current scale, a peer gap, real movement, a current proposal move, or outside-operating context.Block Do not add nested source-family rows into one total or treat a family signal as cause, waste, adequacy, or recurring spending without local records. | Open report |
| Monmouth RegionalMonmouth County | Compare cost positionIs the district expensive, or just in a high-cost peer group? | Cost positionWhy does this district sit high on the published comparative-cost line? | $29,835#50 NJ / #9 county; real +$951 | High comparative cost; Locally funded; High tax effort87% local / 8% state; <1% transfers; 5% placement load | Current scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 92% of operating scalePeer gapCapital, facilities, and debt sits +24 pts vs county average | Mixed proposal movementOperating +$180,291; cost line +$516; Transportation +$311,368 | Pull Budget presentation, adopted budget book, staffing/program notes, and local peer reports.Ask whether county, scale, grade span, placements, transfers, or side files explain the rank.Block Do not turn comparative cost into waste, quality, or adequacy by itself. | Open report |
| Monmouth-Ocean Ed Ser ComMonmouth County | Check real movementDid the story change after inflation, or is it ordinary nominal budget growth? | Per-student cost anatomyDid real per-student operating scale move because dollars changed, enrollment changed, or both? | n/an/a NJ / n/a county; real n/a | Locally funded; Side-file context95% local / n/a state; 0% transfers; 0% placement load | Real movementSpecial revenue funds moved -$17.3M since 2019-20Proposal moveCapital, facilities, and debt changes -$5.6M in the latest fileCurrent scaleTransportation represents 173% of operating scale | Mixed proposal movementOperating +$145,525; cost line n/a; Transportation -$1.4M | Pull Multi-year budgets, enrollment assumptions, staffing rosters, labor agreements, and major contracts.Ask Separate budget-numerator movement from UFB planning-enrollment movement before naming a cause.Block Do not call the arithmetic decomposition a causal finding. | Open report |
| Neptune CityMonmouth County | Check students and service loadIs a per-student comparison really about denominator, placements, or student need? | Student/service familyDo charter/Renaissance transfers, tuition, or purchased placements change the budget story? | $25,370#124 NJ / #17 county; real +$774 | Locally funded; High tax effort; Placement load87% local / 10% state; 6% transfers; 41% placement load | Current scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 91% of operating scalePeer gapTransfers and tuition sits +20 pts vs county average | Proposed comparative cost increaseOperating +$979,685; cost line +$3,219; General current +$778,228 | Pull Tuition and placement schedules, preschool aid records, service-load rows, contracts, and source-row proof sections.Ask whether transfers, tuition, preschool, or special-education/support rows explain the comparison frame.Block Do not treat source-family rows as audited service counts, quality, adequacy, or a complete program ledger. | Open report |
| Neptune TwpMonmouth County | Follow operating fundingDid the budget move toward local levy, state aid, federal revenue, or fund balance? | Operating funding familyWhich aid lines explain dependence on state funding or first-to-latest movement? | $26,375#94 NJ / #15 county; real +$2,415 | Locally funded; School-based budgeting; One-time support83% local / 11% state; 4% transfers; 3% placement load | Real movementState aid moved -$28.3M since 2019-20Current scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 78% of operating scalePeer gapInstruction programs sits -25 pts vs county average | Proposed comparative cost increaseOperating +$12.4M; cost line +$4,343; School-based budgeting +$6.6M | Pull State-aid notices, levy worksheet, fund-balance notes, source-row proof sections, and tax-impact materials.Ask whether the source-family signal is a current revenue scale issue, a peer gap, a real movement, or a proposal-column move.Block Do not read General Fund operating source rows as all-funds revenue, taxpayer burden, or proof of cause without local records. | Open report |
| Ocean TwpMonmouth County | Separate outside-operating moneyIs the story about grants, special revenue, capital, facilities, or debt rather than recurring operating spending? | Outside-operating familyHow large are grant-funded or otherwise outside-operating programs relative to operating budgets? | $26,476#92 NJ / #14 county; real +$1,243 | Locally funded; One-time support; Side-file context87% local / 8% state; <1% transfers; 2% placement load | Real movementSpecial revenue funds moved +$12.0M since 2019-20Proposal moveOther named rows changes -$2.4M in the latest fileCurrent scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 88% of operating scale | Mixed proposal movementOperating +$1.3M; cost line +$1,269; General current +$2.9M | Pull Grant schedules, capital/debt schedules, line-item budget, source-row proof sections, and project or bond records.Ask whether the signal belongs to grants, capital, facilities, or debt before reading it as recurring operating spending.Block Do not add outside-operating source-family rows into one operating total or treat them as ordinary classroom spending. | Open report |
| Oceanport BoroMonmouth County | Separate outside-operating moneyIs the story about grants, special revenue, capital, facilities, or debt rather than recurring operating spending? | Outside-operating familyAre capital projects, facilities acquisition, reserve withdrawals, or debt-service rows distorting all-funds comparisons? | $23,249#214 NJ / #32 county; real +$955 | Locally funded; Outside-operating scale; Side-file context89% local / 8% state; <1% transfers; 1% placement load | Real movementCapital, facilities, and debt moved +$3.4M since 2019-20Current scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 98% of operating scale | Transfer proposal increaseOperating -$40,772; cost line +$1,017; Capital outlay -$706,052 | Pull Grant schedules, capital/debt schedules, line-item budget, source-row proof sections, and project or bond records.Ask whether the signal belongs to grants, capital, facilities, or debt before reading it as recurring operating spending.Block Do not add outside-operating source-family rows into one operating total or treat them as ordinary classroom spending. | Open report |
| Red Bank BoroMonmouth County | Separate outside-operating moneyIs the story about grants, special revenue, capital, facilities, or debt rather than recurring operating spending? | Outside-operating familyHow large are grant-funded or otherwise outside-operating programs relative to operating budgets? | $23,482#201 NJ / #31 county; real +$2,858 | One-time support; Side-file context71% local / 22% state; 9% transfers; <1% placement load | Real movementSpecial revenue funds moved -$6.0M since 2019-20Current scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 71% of operating scalePeer gapState aid sits +16 pts vs county average | Tax levy drives proposalOperating -$2.3M; cost line -$1,247; Capital outlay -$2.6M | Pull Grant schedules, capital/debt schedules, line-item budget, source-row proof sections, and project or bond records.Ask whether the signal belongs to grants, capital, facilities, or debt before reading it as recurring operating spending.Block Do not add outside-operating source-family rows into one operating total or treat them as ordinary classroom spending. | Open report |
| Red Bank RegionalMonmouth County | Check students and service loadIs a per-student comparison really about denominator, placements, or student need? | Student/service familyIs preschool aid, carryover, instruction, or support service scale material? | $23,906#181 NJ / #26 county; real -$267 | Locally funded; Side-file context90% local / 7% state; 0% transfers; 5% placement load | Real movementFund balance and reserves moved +$1.4M since 2019-20Proposal moveFederal grants changes -$1.2M in the latest fileCurrent scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 83% of operating scalePeer gapPreschool sits -21 pts vs county average | Mixed proposal movementOperating +$653,262; cost line +$197; Benefits +$738,853 | Pull Tuition and placement schedules, preschool aid records, service-load rows, contracts, and source-row proof sections.Ask whether transfers, tuition, preschool, or special-education/support rows explain the comparison frame.Block Do not treat source-family rows as audited service counts, quality, adequacy, or a complete program ledger. | Open report |
| Roosevelt BoroMonmouth County | Read the current proposalWhat changes now in the proposed column before the long-run trend is interpreted? | Current proposal changeWhat does the latest proposed budget column change right now? | $40,023#14 NJ / #2 county; real +$17,804 | High comparative cost; Rising real cost; High tax effort53% local / 35% state; 0% transfers; 75% placement load | Proposal moveCapital, facilities, and debt changes -$600,264 in the latest fileReal movementInstruction programs moved +$357,113 since 2019-20Current scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 53% of operating scale | Mixed proposal movementOperating -$30,691; cost line +$7,059; Capital outlay -$237,932 | Pull Proposed budget, revised/current column support, adoption minutes, budget hearing deck, and district FAQ.Ask what is recurring, one-time, grant-funded, enrollment-driven, negotiated, or reclassified.Block Do not treat nominal proposal movement as an audited result or inflation-adjusted trend. | Open report |
| Rumson BoroMonmouth County | Check students and service loadIs a per-student comparison really about denominator, placements, or student need? | Student/service familyIs preschool aid, carryover, instruction, or support service scale material? | $23,222#217 NJ / #33 county; real +$2,439 | Locally funded; Side-file context89% local / 6% state; 0% transfers; <1% placement load | Current scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 92% of operating scalePeer gapPreschool sits -21 pts vs county average | Mixed proposal movementOperating +$393,022; cost line +$610; General current +$644,790 | Pull Tuition and placement schedules, preschool aid records, service-load rows, contracts, and source-row proof sections.Ask whether transfers, tuition, preschool, or special-education/support rows explain the comparison frame.Block Do not treat source-family rows as audited service counts, quality, adequacy, or a complete program ledger. | Open report |
| Rumson-Fair Haven RegMonmouth County | Test one-time supportIs the budget leaning on fund balance, reserve withdrawals, or carryover that must be checked for recurrence? | Fund balance/reserve familyIs the district leaning on fund balance, capital reserve, maintenance reserve, or similar one-time sources? | $26,832#86 NJ / #12 county; real +$4,660 | Rising real cost; Locally funded; One-time support80% local / 6% state; 0% transfers; 1% placement load | Real movementFund balance and reserves moved +$5.6M since 2019-20Current scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 81% of operating scalePeer gapPreschool sits -21 pts vs county average | Mixed proposal movementOperating +$1.7M; cost line +$480; Capital outlay +$2.0M | Pull Fund-balance appropriation notes, reserve withdrawal rows, recap schedules, board minutes, and audit or ACFR schedules.Ask whether the fund-balance or reserve row is recurring support, a one-year bridge, restricted, or paired with close-year balances.Block Do not call planned source-family rows audited cash stress, recurring revenue, or a structural deficit by themselves. | Open report |
| Sea Girt BoroMonmouth County | Read the current proposalWhat changes now in the proposed column before the long-run trend is interpreted? | Current proposal changeWhat does the latest proposed budget column change right now? | $38,409#16 NJ / #3 county; real +$1,352 | High comparative cost; Locally funded; High tax effort87% local / 2% state; 0% transfers; 33% placement load | Real movementCapital, facilities, and debt moved -$3.2M since 2019-20Current scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 82% of operating scalePeer gapPreschool sits -21 pts vs county average | Proposed comparative cost increaseOperating -$278,093; cost line +$5,688; Capital outlay -$483,600 | Pull Proposed budget, revised/current column support, adoption minutes, budget hearing deck, and district FAQ.Ask what is recurring, one-time, grant-funded, enrollment-driven, negotiated, or reclassified.Block Do not treat nominal proposal movement as an audited result or inflation-adjusted trend. | Open report |
| Shore RegionalMonmouth County | Compare cost positionIs the district expensive, or just in a high-cost peer group? | Cost positionWhy does this district sit high on the published comparative-cost line? | $33,340#25 NJ / #7 county; real +$6,796 | High comparative cost; Rising real cost; Locally funded91% local / 5% state; 0% transfers; 3% placement load | Proposal moveOther named rows changes -$606,419 in the latest fileCurrent scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 88% of operating scalePeer gapPreschool sits -21 pts vs county average | Proposed comparative cost increaseOperating +$36,804; cost line +$2,513; General current +$635,753 | Pull Budget presentation, adopted budget book, staffing/program notes, and local peer reports.Ask whether county, scale, grade span, placements, transfers, or side files explain the rank.Block Do not turn comparative cost into waste, quality, or adequacy by itself. | Open report |
| Shrewsbury BoroMonmouth County | Separate outside-operating moneyIs the story about grants, special revenue, capital, facilities, or debt rather than recurring operating spending? | Outside-operating familyAre capital projects, facilities acquisition, reserve withdrawals, or debt-service rows distorting all-funds comparisons? | $22,198#273 NJ / #37 county; real +$361 | Locally funded; One-time support; Outside-operating scale88% local / 5% state; <1% transfers; 1% placement load | Current scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 98% of operating scalePeer gapCapital, facilities, and debt sits +30 pts vs county average | Mixed proposal movementOperating +$548,488; cost line -$128; General current +$316,446 | Pull Grant schedules, capital/debt schedules, line-item budget, source-row proof sections, and project or bond records.Ask whether the signal belongs to grants, capital, facilities, or debt before reading it as recurring operating spending.Block Do not add outside-operating source-family rows into one operating total or treat them as ordinary classroom spending. | Open report |
| Spring Lake BoroMonmouth County | Compare cost positionIs the district expensive, or just in a high-cost peer group? | Cost positionWhy does this district sit high on the published comparative-cost line? | $43,613#11 NJ / #1 county; real +$6,371 | High comparative cost; Rising real cost; Locally funded83% local / 4% state; 0% transfers; 27% placement load | Proposal moveFund balance and reserves changes -$5.1M in the latest fileCurrent scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 80% of operating scalePeer gapPreschool sits -21 pts vs county average | Proposed comparative cost decreaseOperating -$3.1M; cost line -$2,277; Capital outlay -$2.3M | Pull Budget presentation, adopted budget book, staffing/program notes, and local peer reports.Ask whether county, scale, grade span, placements, transfers, or side files explain the rank.Block Do not turn comparative cost into waste, quality, or adequacy by itself. | Open report |
| Spring Lake Heights BoroMonmouth County | Check students and service loadIs a per-student comparison really about denominator, placements, or student need? | Student/service familyIs preschool aid, carryover, instruction, or support service scale material? | $26,245#98 NJ / #16 county; real +$2,809 | Locally funded; High tax effort; Placement load87% local / 5% state; 0% transfers; 45% placement load | Real movementCapital, facilities, and debt moved -$1.2M since 2019-20Current scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 90% of operating scalePeer gapPreschool sits -21 pts vs county average | Mixed proposal movementOperating +$236,467; cost line +$1,459; General current +$281,996 | Pull Tuition and placement schedules, preschool aid records, service-load rows, contracts, and source-row proof sections.Ask whether transfers, tuition, preschool, or special-education/support rows explain the comparison frame.Block Do not treat source-family rows as audited service counts, quality, adequacy, or a complete program ledger. | Open report |
| Tinton FallsMonmouth County | Test one-time supportIs the budget leaning on fund balance, reserve withdrawals, or carryover that must be checked for recurrence? | One-time supportIs the budget using fund balance, reserve, or carryover support that needs a recurrence check? | $23,649#193 NJ / #30 county; real -$187 | Locally funded; One-time support; Side-file context76% local / 10% state; <1% transfers; 1% placement load | Proposal moveCapital, facilities, and debt changes +$2.1M in the latest fileReal movementFund balance and reserves moved +$1.7M since 2019-20Current scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 80% of operating scalePeer gapPreschool sits -21 pts vs county average | Mixed proposal movementOperating +$2.6M; cost line +$814; General current +$1.6M | Pull Fund-balance appropriation notes, reserve withdrawal rows, board minutes, and audit or ACFR schedules.Ask whether the source recurs, replaces aid or levy, bridges a one-year plan, or draws restricted reserves.Block Do not call planned source rows audited cash stress or recurring operating revenue. | Open report |
| Union BeachMonmouth County | Read the current proposalWhat changes now in the proposed column before the long-run trend is interpreted? | Current proposal changeWhat does the latest proposed budget column change right now? | $20,044#427 NJ / #45 county; real +$727 | Placement load; One-time support; Side-file context61% local / 31% state; 0% transfers; 37% placement load | Current scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 61% of operating scalePeer gapState aid sits +22 pts vs county average | Proposed comparative cost increaseOperating +$3.2M; cost line +$3,429; General current +$3.2M | Pull Proposed budget, revised/current column support, adoption minutes, budget hearing deck, and district FAQ.Ask what is recurring, one-time, grant-funded, enrollment-driven, negotiated, or reclassified.Block Do not treat nominal proposal movement as an audited result or inflation-adjusted trend. | Open report |
| Upper Freehold RegionalMonmouth County | Check students and service loadIs a per-student comparison really about denominator, placements, or student need? | Student/service familyIs preschool aid, carryover, instruction, or support service scale material? | $19,541#453 NJ / #48 county; real -$497 | Locally funded; Outside-operating scale; Side-file context84% local / 11% state; 0% transfers; 2% placement load | Real movementSpecial revenue funds moved +$2.9M since 2019-20Current scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 74% of operating scalePeer gapPreschool sits -11 pts vs county average | Mixed proposal movementOperating +$2.1M; cost line +$484; General current +$2.2M | Pull Tuition and placement schedules, preschool aid records, service-load rows, contracts, and source-row proof sections.Ask whether transfers, tuition, preschool, or special-education/support rows explain the comparison frame.Block Do not treat source-family rows as audited service counts, quality, adequacy, or a complete program ledger. | Open report |
| Wall TwpMonmouth County | Check students and service loadIs a per-student comparison really about denominator, placements, or student need? | Student/service familyIs preschool aid, carryover, instruction, or support service scale material? | $25,369#125 NJ / #18 county; real +$1,081 | Locally funded; Side-file context89% local / 8% state; <1% transfers; 1% placement load | Real movementCapital, facilities, and debt moved -$5.7M since 2019-20Current scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 90% of operating scalePeer gapPreschool sits -21 pts vs county average | Mixed proposal movementOperating +$2.8M; cost line +$1,019; General current +$3.5M | Pull Tuition and placement schedules, preschool aid records, service-load rows, contracts, and source-row proof sections.Ask whether transfers, tuition, preschool, or special-education/support rows explain the comparison frame.Block Do not treat source-family rows as audited service counts, quality, adequacy, or a complete program ledger. | Open report |
| West Long Branch BoroMonmouth County | Separate outside-operating moneyIs the story about grants, special revenue, capital, facilities, or debt rather than recurring operating spending? | Outside-operating familyHow large are grant-funded or otherwise outside-operating programs relative to operating budgets? | $21,573#321 NJ / #39 county; real -$219 | Locally funded; Side-file context89% local / 8% state; <1% transfers; 4% placement load | Proposal moveCapital, facilities, and debt changes -$707,706 in the latest fileCurrent scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 86% of operating scalePeer gapSpecial revenue funds sits +12 pts vs county average | Proposed comparative cost decreaseOperating -$485,146; cost line -$2,295; Capital outlay -$270,300 | Pull Grant schedules, capital/debt schedules, line-item budget, source-row proof sections, and project or bond records.Ask whether the signal belongs to grants, capital, facilities, or debt before reading it as recurring operating spending.Block Do not add outside-operating source-family rows into one operating total or treat them as ordinary classroom spending. | Open report |
| Boonton TownMorris County | Follow operating fundingDid the budget move toward local levy, state aid, federal revenue, or fund balance? | Operating funding familyWhich aid lines explain dependence on state funding or first-to-latest movement? | $21,340#337 NJ / #32 county; real -$2,491 | Locally funded; Side-file context79% local / 19% state; <1% transfers; 4% placement load | Real movementState aid moved +$4.7M since 2019-20Proposal moveEmployee benefits changes +$1.3M in the latest fileCurrent scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 65% of operating scalePeer gapSpecial revenue funds sits +13 pts vs county average | Benefits drive proposed useOperating +$1.5M; cost line -$188; General current +$1.5M | Pull State-aid notices, levy worksheet, fund-balance notes, source-row proof sections, and tax-impact materials.Ask whether the source-family signal is a current revenue scale issue, a peer gap, a real movement, or a proposal-column move.Block Do not read General Fund operating source rows as all-funds revenue, taxpayer burden, or proof of cause without local records. | Open report |
| Boonton TwpMorris County | Check students and service loadIs a per-student comparison really about denominator, placements, or student need? | Student/service familyDo charter/Renaissance transfers, tuition, or purchased placements change the budget story? | $24,139#171 NJ / #15 county; real +$1,014 | Locally funded; High tax effort; Placement load87% local / 6% state; <1% transfers; 51% placement load | Proposal moveCapital, facilities, and debt changes +$1.8M in the latest fileCurrent scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 87% of operating scalePeer gapTransfers and tuition sits +19 pts vs county average | Mixed proposal movementOperating +$748,561; cost line -$1,364; Capital outlay +$680,911 | Pull Tuition and placement schedules, preschool aid records, service-load rows, contracts, and source-row proof sections.Ask whether transfers, tuition, preschool, or special-education/support rows explain the comparison frame.Block Do not treat source-family rows as audited service counts, quality, adequacy, or a complete program ledger. | Open report |
| Butler BoroMorris County | Check students and service loadIs a per-student comparison really about denominator, placements, or student need? | Student/service familyIs preschool aid, carryover, instruction, or support service scale material? | $21,140#350 NJ / #35 county; real -$2,769 | Locally funded; One-time support; Side-file context84% local / 9% state; <1% transfers; 4% placement load | Real movementTransfers and tuition moved -$2.5M since 2019-20Current scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 71% of operating scalePeer gapPreschool sits -18 pts vs county average | Mixed proposal movementOperating +$348,312; cost line -$826; Capital outlay +$207,000 | Pull Tuition and placement schedules, preschool aid records, service-load rows, contracts, and source-row proof sections.Ask whether transfers, tuition, preschool, or special-education/support rows explain the comparison frame.Block Do not treat source-family rows as audited service counts, quality, adequacy, or a complete program ledger. | Open report |
| Chester TwpMorris County | Read the current proposalWhat changes now in the proposed column before the long-run trend is interpreted? | Current proposal changeWhat does the latest proposed budget column change right now? | $23,240#215 NJ / #18 county; real -$500 | Locally funded; Side-file context89% local / 7% state; <1% transfers; <1% placement load | Real movementCapital, facilities, and debt moved -$5.4M since 2019-20Current scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 91% of operating scalePeer gapPreschool sits -18 pts vs county average | Capital proposal decreaseOperating -$4.2M; cost line +$479; Capital outlay -$4.4M | Pull Proposed budget, revised/current column support, adoption minutes, budget hearing deck, and district FAQ.Ask what is recurring, one-time, grant-funded, enrollment-driven, negotiated, or reclassified.Block Do not treat nominal proposal movement as an audited result or inflation-adjusted trend. | Open report |
| Denville TwpMorris County | Check students and service loadIs a per-student comparison really about denominator, placements, or student need? | Student/service familyIs preschool aid, carryover, instruction, or support service scale material? | $21,521#323 NJ / #31 county; real -$2,022 | Locally funded; Side-file context87% local / 9% state; <1% transfers; 1% placement load | Real movementFund balance and reserves moved +$3.1M since 2019-20Current scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 87% of operating scalePeer gapPreschool sits -18 pts vs county average | Mixed proposal movementOperating +$1.5M; cost line +$139; General current +$1.4M | Pull Tuition and placement schedules, preschool aid records, service-load rows, contracts, and source-row proof sections.Ask whether transfers, tuition, preschool, or special-education/support rows explain the comparison frame.Block Do not treat source-family rows as audited service counts, quality, adequacy, or a complete program ledger. | Open report |
| Dover TownMorris County | Check real movementDid the story change after inflation, or is it ordinary nominal budget growth? | Per-student cost anatomyDid real per-student operating scale move because dollars changed, enrollment changed, or both? | $23,288#211 NJ / #17 county; real +$8,470 | Rising real cost; One-time support; Outside-operating scale27% local / 67% state; <1% transfers; 2% placement load | Proposal moveCapital, facilities, and debt changes +$6.9M in the latest fileCurrent scaleState aid represents 74% of operating scale | Mixed proposal movementOperating +$2.1M; cost line +$85; Capital outlay +$4.1M | Pull Multi-year budgets, enrollment assumptions, staffing rosters, labor agreements, and major contracts.Ask Separate budget-numerator movement from UFB planning-enrollment movement before naming a cause.Block Do not call the arithmetic decomposition a causal finding. | Open report |
| East Hanover TwpMorris County | Check students and service loadIs a per-student comparison really about denominator, placements, or student need? | Student/service familyIs preschool aid, carryover, instruction, or support service scale material? | $25,217#132 NJ / #10 county; real -$628 | Locally funded; One-time support; Side-file context88% local / 6% state; 0% transfers; 1% placement load | Real movementCapital, facilities, and debt moved -$890,681 since 2019-20Current scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 90% of operating scalePeer gapPreschool sits -18 pts vs county average | Mixed proposal movementOperating +$726,070; cost line +$810; General current +$789,977 | Pull Tuition and placement schedules, preschool aid records, service-load rows, contracts, and source-row proof sections.Ask whether transfers, tuition, preschool, or special-education/support rows explain the comparison frame.Block Do not treat source-family rows as audited service counts, quality, adequacy, or a complete program ledger. | Open report |
| Educ Serv Comm Morris CoMorris County | Read side-file contextWhich balances, reserves, unusual items, shared services, or listed roles change the story? | Balances and reservesDoes the close-year cushion change the budget interpretation? | n/an/a NJ / n/a county; real n/a | Locally funded; Side-file context100% local / n/a state; 0% transfers; 0% placement load | Current scaleTransportation represents 195% of operating scale | Mixed proposal movementOperating -$2.1M; cost line n/a; General current -$2.1M | Pull Recap balance rows, audit or ACFR reserve schedules, board reserve actions, and budget notes.Ask what is restricted, recurring, planned drawdown, cushion, or close-year projection.Block Do not read recap balances as current operating appropriations or spendable cash. | Open report |
| Florham Park BoroMorris County | Check students and service loadIs a per-student comparison really about denominator, placements, or student need? | Student/service familyIs preschool aid, carryover, instruction, or support service scale material? | $23,217#219 NJ / #19 county; real -$51 | Locally funded; Side-file context92% local / 6% state; 0% transfers; 1% placement load | Proposal moveFund balance and reserves changes -$1.5M in the latest fileCurrent scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 96% of operating scalePeer gapPreschool sits -18 pts vs county average | Mixed proposal movementOperating -$948,332; cost line +$146; Capital outlay -$891,357 | Pull Tuition and placement schedules, preschool aid records, service-load rows, contracts, and source-row proof sections.Ask whether transfers, tuition, preschool, or special-education/support rows explain the comparison frame.Block Do not treat source-family rows as audited service counts, quality, adequacy, or a complete program ledger. | Open report |
| Hanover Park RegionalMorris County | Compare cost positionIs the district expensive, or just in a high-cost peer group? | Cost positionWhy does this district sit high on the published comparative-cost line? | $30,192#47 NJ / #3 county; real +$3,323 | High comparative cost; Locally funded; High tax effort78% local / 5% state; 0% transfers; 3% placement load | Proposal moveFund balance and reserves changes +$2.4M in the latest fileCurrent scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 84% of operating scalePeer gapPreschool sits -18 pts vs county average | Proposed comparative cost increaseOperating +$2.3M; cost line +$1,923; General current +$2.3M | Pull Budget presentation, adopted budget book, staffing/program notes, and local peer reports.Ask whether county, scale, grade span, placements, transfers, or side files explain the rank.Block Do not turn comparative cost into waste, quality, or adequacy by itself. | Open report |
| Hanover TwpMorris County | Check students and service loadIs a per-student comparison really about denominator, placements, or student need? | Student/service familyIs preschool aid, carryover, instruction, or support service scale material? | $24,528#155 NJ / #13 county; real +$573 | Locally funded; Side-file context92% local / 7% state; 1% transfers; 0% placement load | Current scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 90% of operating scalePeer gapPreschool sits -18 pts vs county average | Mixed proposal movementOperating +$2.0M; cost line +$532; General current +$1.2M | Pull Tuition and placement schedules, preschool aid records, service-load rows, contracts, and source-row proof sections.Ask whether transfers, tuition, preschool, or special-education/support rows explain the comparison frame.Block Do not treat source-family rows as audited service counts, quality, adequacy, or a complete program ledger. | Open report |
| Harding TownshipMorris County | Compare cost positionIs the district expensive, or just in a high-cost peer group? | Cost positionWhy does this district sit high on the published comparative-cost line? | $32,414#34 NJ / #1 county; real +$1,481 | High comparative cost; Locally funded; High tax effort89% local / 7% state; 0% transfers; 26% placement load | Real movementTransfers and tuition moved -$1.4M since 2019-20Proposal moveFund balance and reserves changes +$488,490 in the latest fileCurrent scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 88% of operating scalePeer gapPreschool sits -18 pts vs county average | Mixed proposal movementOperating +$621,229; cost line -$667; General current +$405,301 | Pull Budget presentation, adopted budget book, staffing/program notes, and local peer reports.Ask whether county, scale, grade span, placements, transfers, or side files explain the rank.Block Do not turn comparative cost into waste, quality, or adequacy by itself. | Open report |
| Jefferson TwpMorris County | Separate outside-operating moneyIs the story about grants, special revenue, capital, facilities, or debt rather than recurring operating spending? | Outside-operating familyHow large are grant-funded or otherwise outside-operating programs relative to operating budgets? | $21,676#312 NJ / #29 county; real -$1,666 | Locally funded; One-time support; Side-file context86% local / 9% state; 1% transfers; 1% placement load | Current scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 89% of operating scalePeer gapSpecial revenue funds sits +12 pts vs county average | Mixed proposal movementOperating +$694,310; cost line +$353; General current +$1.4M | Pull Grant schedules, capital/debt schedules, line-item budget, source-row proof sections, and project or bond records.Ask whether the signal belongs to grants, capital, facilities, or debt before reading it as recurring operating spending.Block Do not add outside-operating source-family rows into one operating total or treat them as ordinary classroom spending. | Open report |
| Kinnelon BoroMorris County | Check students and service loadIs a per-student comparison really about denominator, placements, or student need? | Student/service familyIs preschool aid, carryover, instruction, or support service scale material? | $25,193#133 NJ / #11 county; real +$1,924 | Locally funded; Side-file context89% local / 8% state; 0% transfers; 2% placement load | Current scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 91% of operating scalePeer gapPreschool sits -18 pts vs county average | Mixed proposal movementOperating +$755,360; cost line +$477; General current +$1.3M | Pull Tuition and placement schedules, preschool aid records, service-load rows, contracts, and source-row proof sections.Ask whether transfers, tuition, preschool, or special-education/support rows explain the comparison frame.Block Do not treat source-family rows as audited service counts, quality, adequacy, or a complete program ledger. | Open report |
| Lincoln Park BoroMorris County | Check students and service loadIs a per-student comparison really about denominator, placements, or student need? | Student/service familyDo charter/Renaissance transfers, tuition, or purchased placements change the budget story? | $17,235#543 NJ / #38 county; real -$2,279 | Locally funded; Placement load; Side-file context89% local / 11% state; <1% transfers; 38% placement load | Current scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 88% of operating scalePeer gapTransfers and tuition sits +20 pts vs county average | Mixed proposal movementOperating +$458,546; cost line +$305; Benefits +$556,146 | Pull Tuition and placement schedules, preschool aid records, service-load rows, contracts, and source-row proof sections.Ask whether transfers, tuition, preschool, or special-education/support rows explain the comparison frame.Block Do not treat source-family rows as audited service counts, quality, adequacy, or a complete program ledger. | Open report |
| Long Hill TwpMorris County | Separate outside-operating moneyIs the story about grants, special revenue, capital, facilities, or debt rather than recurring operating spending? | Outside-operating familyAre capital projects, facilities acquisition, reserve withdrawals, or debt-service rows distorting all-funds comparisons? | $21,922#290 NJ / #26 county; real -$958 | Locally funded; Side-file context90% local / 6% state; <1% transfers; 1% placement load | Real movementCapital, facilities, and debt moved -$3.7M since 2019-20Current scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 91% of operating scalePeer gapPreschool sits -18 pts vs county average | Capital proposal decreaseOperating -$1.0M; cost line -$30; Capital outlay -$1.8M | Pull Grant schedules, capital/debt schedules, line-item budget, source-row proof sections, and project or bond records.Ask whether the signal belongs to grants, capital, facilities, or debt before reading it as recurring operating spending.Block Do not add outside-operating source-family rows into one operating total or treat them as ordinary classroom spending. | Open report |
| Madison BoroMorris County | Check students and service loadIs a per-student comparison really about denominator, placements, or student need? | Student/service familyIs preschool aid, carryover, instruction, or support service scale material? | $22,282#265 NJ / #25 county; real +$2,597 | Locally funded; Outside-operating scale; Side-file context87% local / 8% state; 0% transfers; 1% placement load | Real movementCapital, facilities, and debt moved +$4.1M since 2019-20Current scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 92% of operating scalePeer gapPreschool sits -18 pts vs county average | Mixed proposal movementOperating +$1.1M; cost line +$634; General current +$2.2M | Pull Tuition and placement schedules, preschool aid records, service-load rows, contracts, and source-row proof sections.Ask whether transfers, tuition, preschool, or special-education/support rows explain the comparison frame.Block Do not treat source-family rows as audited service counts, quality, adequacy, or a complete program ledger. | Open report |
| Mendham BoroMorris County | Check students and service loadIs a per-student comparison really about denominator, placements, or student need? | Student/service familyIs preschool aid, carryover, instruction, or support service scale material? | $26,133#102 NJ / #8 county; real +$1,538 | Locally funded; One-time support; Side-file context89% local / 4% state; 0% transfers; 1% placement load | Real movementCapital, facilities, and debt moved -$1.5M since 2019-20Current scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 90% of operating scalePeer gapPreschool sits -18 pts vs county average | Capital proposal decreaseOperating -$835,851; cost line +$1,377; Capital outlay -$1.3M | Pull Tuition and placement schedules, preschool aid records, service-load rows, contracts, and source-row proof sections.Ask whether transfers, tuition, preschool, or special-education/support rows explain the comparison frame.Block Do not treat source-family rows as audited service counts, quality, adequacy, or a complete program ledger. | Open report |
| Mendham TwpMorris County | Check students and service loadIs a per-student comparison really about denominator, placements, or student need? | Student/service familyIs preschool aid, carryover, instruction, or support service scale material? | $25,451#122 NJ / #9 county; real -$2,380 | Locally funded; One-time support; Side-file context86% local / 5% state; <1% transfers; 1% placement load | Real movementCapital, facilities, and debt moved +$2.6M since 2019-20Proposal moveOther named rows changes -$736,037 in the latest fileCurrent scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 80% of operating scalePeer gapPreschool sits -18 pts vs county average | Mixed proposal movementOperating +$228,186; cost line -$140; General current +$301,005 | Pull Tuition and placement schedules, preschool aid records, service-load rows, contracts, and source-row proof sections.Ask whether transfers, tuition, preschool, or special-education/support rows explain the comparison frame.Block Do not treat source-family rows as audited service counts, quality, adequacy, or a complete program ledger. | Open report |
| Mine Hill TwpMorris County | Read the current proposalWhat changes now in the proposed column before the long-run trend is interpreted? | Current proposal changeWhat does the latest proposed budget column change right now? | $21,279#342 NJ / #33 county; real +$1,439 | Placement load; One-time support; Outside-operating scale52% local / 31% state; <1% transfers; 38% placement load | Proposal moveFund balance and reserves changes +$4.4M in the latest fileReal movementSpecial revenue funds moved +$2.8M since 2019-20Current scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 53% of operating scalePeer gapState aid sits +27 pts vs county average | UFB denominator movesOperating +$2.7M; cost line -$1,140; Capital outlay +$2.2M | Pull Proposed budget, revised/current column support, adoption minutes, budget hearing deck, and district FAQ.Ask what is recurring, one-time, grant-funded, enrollment-driven, negotiated, or reclassified.Block Do not treat nominal proposal movement as an audited result or inflation-adjusted trend. | Open report |
| Montville TwpMorris County | Check students and service loadIs a per-student comparison really about denominator, placements, or student need? | Student/service familyIs preschool aid, carryover, instruction, or support service scale material? | $23,053#229 NJ / #21 county; real -$1,400 | Locally funded; One-time support; Side-file context83% local / 8% state; <1% transfers; 4% placement load | Proposal moveCapital, facilities, and debt changes -$3.2M in the latest fileCurrent scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 84% of operating scalePeer gapPreschool sits -18 pts vs county average | Mixed proposal movementOperating +$1.5M; cost line +$206; General current +$3.1M | Pull Tuition and placement schedules, preschool aid records, service-load rows, contracts, and source-row proof sections.Ask whether transfers, tuition, preschool, or special-education/support rows explain the comparison frame.Block Do not treat source-family rows as audited service counts, quality, adequacy, or a complete program ledger. | Open report |
| Morris County VocationalMorris County | Follow operating fundingDid the budget move toward local levy, state aid, federal revenue, or fund balance? | Operating funding familyHow much of the budget story is local levy, tuition, fees, or miscellaneous local revenue? | $16,037#561 NJ / #39 county; real -$97 | Locally funded; Side-file context91% local / 7% state; 0% transfers; 0% placement load | Real movementLocal taxes and local sources moved +$5.6M since 2019-20Current scaleTransfers and tuition represents 67% of operating scale | Mixed proposal movementOperating +$2.7M; cost line -$589; General current +$2.5M | Pull State-aid notices, levy worksheet, fund-balance notes, source-row proof sections, and tax-impact materials.Ask whether the source-family signal is a current revenue scale issue, a peer gap, a real movement, or a proposal-column move.Block Do not read General Fund operating source rows as all-funds revenue, taxpayer burden, or proof of cause without local records. | Open report |
| Morris Hills RegionalMorris County | Check students and service loadIs a per-student comparison really about denominator, placements, or student need? | Student/service familyIs preschool aid, carryover, instruction, or support service scale material? | $27,473#75 NJ / #5 county; real +$1,716 | Locally funded; High tax effort; Side-file context84% local / 14% state; <1% transfers; 2% placement load | Proposal moveFund balance and reserves changes -$6.4M in the latest fileReal movementCapital, facilities, and debt moved -$6.1M since 2019-20Current scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 87% of operating scalePeer gapPreschool sits -18 pts vs county average | Mixed proposal movementOperating -$2.0M; cost line +$157; Capital outlay -$4.0M | Pull Tuition and placement schedules, preschool aid records, service-load rows, contracts, and source-row proof sections.Ask whether transfers, tuition, preschool, or special-education/support rows explain the comparison frame.Block Do not treat source-family rows as audited service counts, quality, adequacy, or a complete program ledger. | Open report |
| Morris Plains BoroMorris County | Check students and service loadIs a per-student comparison really about denominator, placements, or student need? | Student/service familyIs preschool aid, carryover, instruction, or support service scale material? | $26,701#89 NJ / #7 county; real +$3,057 | Locally funded; High tax effort; Placement load87% local / 7% state; 1% transfers; 41% placement load | Real movementTransfers and tuition moved -$1.9M since 2019-20Current scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 90% of operating scalePeer gapPreschool sits -18 pts vs county average | Mixed proposal movementOperating +$607,110; cost line +$823; General current +$935,907 | Pull Tuition and placement schedules, preschool aid records, service-load rows, contracts, and source-row proof sections.Ask whether transfers, tuition, preschool, or special-education/support rows explain the comparison frame.Block Do not treat source-family rows as audited service counts, quality, adequacy, or a complete program ledger. | Open report |
| Morris School DistrictMorris County | Separate outside-operating moneyIs the story about grants, special revenue, capital, facilities, or debt rather than recurring operating spending? | Outside-operating familyHow large are grant-funded or otherwise outside-operating programs relative to operating budgets? | $22,588#252 NJ / #22 county; real -$1,323 | Locally funded; Placement load; One-time support84% local / 8% state; 1% transfers; 13% placement load | Proposal moveFund balance and reserves changes -$7.7M in the latest fileCurrent scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 80% of operating scalePeer gapSpecial revenue funds sits +18 pts vs county average | Benefits drive proposed useOperating -$3.0M; cost line +$872; Capital outlay -$7.4M | Pull Grant schedules, capital/debt schedules, line-item budget, source-row proof sections, and project or bond records.Ask whether the signal belongs to grants, capital, facilities, or debt before reading it as recurring operating spending.Block Do not add outside-operating source-family rows into one operating total or treat them as ordinary classroom spending. | Open report |
| Mount Arlington BoroMorris County | Check students and service loadIs a per-student comparison really about denominator, placements, or student need? | Student/service familyDo charter/Renaissance transfers, tuition, or purchased placements change the budget story? | $24,268#164 NJ / #14 county; real -$1,015 | Locally funded; High tax effort; Placement load82% local / 7% state; 0% transfers; 47% placement load | Real movementOther named rows moved +$649,495 since 2019-20Current scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 83% of operating scalePeer gapTransfers and tuition sits +20 pts vs county average | Proposed comparative cost decreaseOperating +$1.3M; cost line -$1,966; General current +$1.3M | Pull Tuition and placement schedules, preschool aid records, service-load rows, contracts, and source-row proof sections.Ask whether transfers, tuition, preschool, or special-education/support rows explain the comparison frame.Block Do not treat source-family rows as audited service counts, quality, adequacy, or a complete program ledger. | Open report |
| Mount Olive TwpMorris County | Follow operating fundingDid the budget move toward local levy, state aid, federal revenue, or fund balance? | Operating funding familyWhich aid lines explain dependence on state funding or first-to-latest movement? | $23,755#188 NJ / #16 county; real +$1,885 | One-time support; Side-file context63% local / 30% state; <1% transfers; 1% placement load | Real movementState aid moved +$18.4M since 2019-20Proposal moveCapital, facilities, and debt changes -$8.6M in the latest fileCurrent scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 63% of operating scalePeer gapPreschool sits -18 pts vs county average | Mixed proposal movementOperating +$1.0M; cost line +$349; General current +$6.5M | Pull State-aid notices, levy worksheet, fund-balance notes, source-row proof sections, and tax-impact materials.Ask whether the source-family signal is a current revenue scale issue, a peer gap, a real movement, or a proposal-column move.Block Do not read General Fund operating source rows as all-funds revenue, taxpayer burden, or proof of cause without local records. | Open report |
| Mountain Lakes BoroMorris County | Compare cost positionIs the district expensive, or just in a high-cost peer group? | Cost positionWhy does this district sit high on the published comparative-cost line? | $30,760#44 NJ / #2 county; real +$172 | High comparative cost; Locally funded; Side-file context92% local / 3% state; <1% transfers; 3% placement load | Proposal moveOther named rows changes -$1.9M in the latest fileCurrent scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 60% of operating scalePeer gapTransfers and tuition sits +24 pts vs county average | Mixed proposal movementOperating +$358,181; cost line +$855; General current +$1.4M | Pull Budget presentation, adopted budget book, staffing/program notes, and local peer reports.Ask whether county, scale, grade span, placements, transfers, or side files explain the rank.Block Do not turn comparative cost into waste, quality, or adequacy by itself. | Open report |
| Netcong BoroMorris County | Separate outside-operating moneyIs the story about grants, special revenue, capital, facilities, or debt rather than recurring operating spending? | Outside-operating familyHow large are grant-funded or otherwise outside-operating programs relative to operating budgets? | $21,573#320 NJ / #30 county; real +$2,569 | One-time support; Side-file context63% local / 34% state; 1% transfers; 4% placement load | Real movementSpecial revenue funds moved +$2.0M since 2019-20Proposal moveCapital, facilities, and debt changes -$1.2M in the latest fileCurrent scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 65% of operating scalePeer gapState aid sits +32 pts vs county average | Proposed comparative cost decreaseOperating -$340,298; cost line -$2,553; Capital outlay -$693,094 | Pull Grant schedules, capital/debt schedules, line-item budget, source-row proof sections, and project or bond records.Ask whether the signal belongs to grants, capital, facilities, or debt before reading it as recurring operating spending.Block Do not add outside-operating source-family rows into one operating total or treat them as ordinary classroom spending. | Open report |
| Parsippany-Troy Hills TwpMorris County | Check students and service loadIs a per-student comparison really about denominator, placements, or student need? | Student/service familyIs preschool aid, carryover, instruction, or support service scale material? | $21,679#311 NJ / #28 county; real -$941 | Locally funded; Side-file context88% local / 8% state; 1% transfers; 1% placement load | Proposal moveFederal grants changes -$5.6M in the latest fileCurrent scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 89% of operating scalePeer gapPreschool sits -18 pts vs county average | Mixed proposal movementOperating +$3.0M; cost line +$309; General current +$2.7M | Pull Tuition and placement schedules, preschool aid records, service-load rows, contracts, and source-row proof sections.Ask whether transfers, tuition, preschool, or special-education/support rows explain the comparison frame.Block Do not treat source-family rows as audited service counts, quality, adequacy, or a complete program ledger. | Open report |
| Pequannock TwpMorris County | Test one-time supportIs the budget leaning on fund balance, reserve withdrawals, or carryover that must be checked for recurrence? | One-time supportIs the budget using fund balance, reserve, or carryover support that needs a recurrence check? | $22,426#258 NJ / #24 county; real +$22 | Locally funded; One-time support; Side-file context78% local / 7% state; 0% transfers; 2% placement load | Real movementFund balance and reserves moved +$4.7M since 2019-20Proposal moveCapital, facilities, and debt changes +$4.3M in the latest fileCurrent scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 78% of operating scalePeer gapPreschool sits -18 pts vs county average | Mixed proposal movementOperating +$2.2M; cost line +$522; Capital outlay +$1.2M | Pull Fund-balance appropriation notes, reserve withdrawal rows, board minutes, and audit or ACFR schedules.Ask whether the source recurs, replaces aid or levy, bridges a one-year plan, or draws restricted reserves.Block Do not call planned source rows audited cash stress or recurring operating revenue. | Open report |
| Randolph TwpMorris County | Check students and service loadIs a per-student comparison really about denominator, placements, or student need? | Student/service familyIs preschool aid, carryover, instruction, or support service scale material? | $21,899#292 NJ / #27 county; real -$500 | Locally funded; Side-file context87% local / 9% state; <1% transfers; 1% placement load | Real movementInstruction programs moved -$10.0M since 2019-20Proposal moveCapital, facilities, and debt changes -$8.1M in the latest fileCurrent scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 90% of operating scalePeer gapPreschool sits -18 pts vs county average | Capital proposal decreaseOperating -$6.5M; cost line -$33; Capital outlay -$7.2M | Pull Tuition and placement schedules, preschool aid records, service-load rows, contracts, and source-row proof sections.Ask whether transfers, tuition, preschool, or special-education/support rows explain the comparison frame.Block Do not treat source-family rows as audited service counts, quality, adequacy, or a complete program ledger. | Open report |
| Riverdale BoroMorris County | Test one-time supportIs the budget leaning on fund balance, reserve withdrawals, or carryover that must be checked for recurrence? | One-time supportIs the budget using fund balance, reserve, or carryover support that needs a recurrence check? | $28,010#67 NJ / #4 county; real +$7,185 | Rising real cost; Locally funded; High tax effort75% local / 6% state; 0% transfers; 47% placement load | Current scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 82% of operating scalePeer gapCapital, facilities, and debt sits +31 pts vs county average | Proposed comparative cost increaseOperating +$1.5M; cost line +$2,108; Capital outlay +$1.2M | Pull Fund-balance appropriation notes, reserve withdrawal rows, board minutes, and audit or ACFR schedules.Ask whether the source recurs, replaces aid or levy, bridges a one-year plan, or draws restricted reserves.Block Do not call planned source rows audited cash stress or recurring operating revenue. | Open report |
| Rockaway BoroMorris County | Check students and service loadIs a per-student comparison really about denominator, placements, or student need? | Student/service familyIs preschool aid, carryover, instruction, or support service scale material? | $20,788#368 NJ / #36 county; real -$2,961 | Locally funded; Side-file context82% local / 17% state; 0% transfers; 1% placement load | Real movementCapital, facilities, and debt moved +$946,058 since 2019-20Current scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 82% of operating scalePeer gapPreschool sits -18 pts vs county average | Tax levy drives proposalOperating +$705,185; cost line +$144; General current +$534,538 | Pull Tuition and placement schedules, preschool aid records, service-load rows, contracts, and source-row proof sections.Ask whether transfers, tuition, preschool, or special-education/support rows explain the comparison frame.Block Do not treat source-family rows as audited service counts, quality, adequacy, or a complete program ledger. | Open report |
| Rockaway TwpMorris County | Check students and service loadIs a per-student comparison really about denominator, placements, or student need? | Student/service familyIs preschool aid, carryover, instruction, or support service scale material? | $23,141#222 NJ / #20 county; real -$2,789 | Locally funded; One-time support; Side-file context85% local / 8% state; <1% transfers; 1% placement load | Current scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 84% of operating scalePeer gapPreschool sits -18 pts vs county average | Mixed proposal movementOperating +$2.5M; cost line +$372; General current +$1.5M | Pull Tuition and placement schedules, preschool aid records, service-load rows, contracts, and source-row proof sections.Ask whether transfers, tuition, preschool, or special-education/support rows explain the comparison frame.Block Do not treat source-family rows as audited service counts, quality, adequacy, or a complete program ledger. | Open report |
| Roxbury TwpMorris County | Check students and service loadIs a per-student comparison really about denominator, placements, or student need? | Student/service familyIs preschool aid, carryover, instruction, or support service scale material? | $22,489#255 NJ / #23 county; real -$976 | Locally funded; One-time support; Side-file context85% local / 9% state; 0% transfers; 1% placement load | Real movementCapital, facilities, and debt moved -$9.3M since 2019-20Current scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 77% of operating scalePeer gapPreschool sits -18 pts vs county average | Mixed proposal movementOperating +$1.4M; cost line +$542; General current +$2.0M | Pull Tuition and placement schedules, preschool aid records, service-load rows, contracts, and source-row proof sections.Ask whether transfers, tuition, preschool, or special-education/support rows explain the comparison frame.Block Do not treat source-family rows as audited service counts, quality, adequacy, or a complete program ledger. | Open report |
| Sch Dist of the ChathamsMorris County | Check students and service loadIs a per-student comparison really about denominator, placements, or student need? | Student/service familyIs preschool aid, carryover, instruction, or support service scale material? | $20,772#369 NJ / #37 county; real +$1,528 | Locally funded; One-time support; Side-file context87% local / 8% state; <1% transfers; 1% placement load | Proposal moveCapital, facilities, and debt changes -$6.0M in the latest fileCurrent scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 90% of operating scalePeer gapPreschool sits -18 pts vs county average | Mixed proposal movementOperating +$1.3M; cost line +$854; General current +$4.2M | Pull Tuition and placement schedules, preschool aid records, service-load rows, contracts, and source-row proof sections.Ask whether transfers, tuition, preschool, or special-education/support rows explain the comparison frame.Block Do not treat source-family rows as audited service counts, quality, adequacy, or a complete program ledger. | Open report |
| Washington TwpMorris County | Check students and service loadIs a per-student comparison really about denominator, placements, or student need? | Student/service familyIs preschool aid, carryover, instruction, or support service scale material? | $21,191#345 NJ / #34 county; real -$3,216 | Locally funded; Side-file context89% local / 9% state; <1% transfers; <1% placement load | Real movementState aid moved -$5.0M since 2019-20Current scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 90% of operating scalePeer gapPreschool sits -18 pts vs county average | Mixed proposal movementOperating +$1.0M; cost line +$457; General current +$1.0M | Pull Tuition and placement schedules, preschool aid records, service-load rows, contracts, and source-row proof sections.Ask whether transfers, tuition, preschool, or special-education/support rows explain the comparison frame.Block Do not treat source-family rows as audited service counts, quality, adequacy, or a complete program ledger. | Open report |
| West Morris RegionalMorris County | Check students and service loadIs a per-student comparison really about denominator, placements, or student need? | Student/service familyIs preschool aid, carryover, instruction, or support service scale material? | $24,923#140 NJ / #12 county; real +$1,516 | Locally funded; One-time support; Side-file context86% local / 7% state; 0% transfers; 2% placement load | Proposal moveFund balance and reserves changes -$5.8M in the latest fileCurrent scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 88% of operating scalePeer gapPreschool sits -18 pts vs county average | Mixed proposal movementOperating -$1.6M; cost line +$627; Capital outlay -$3.0M | Pull Tuition and placement schedules, preschool aid records, service-load rows, contracts, and source-row proof sections.Ask whether transfers, tuition, preschool, or special-education/support rows explain the comparison frame.Block Do not treat source-family rows as audited service counts, quality, adequacy, or a complete program ledger. | Open report |
| Wharton BoroMorris County | Separate outside-operating moneyIs the story about grants, special revenue, capital, facilities, or debt rather than recurring operating spending? | Outside-operating familyAre capital projects, facilities acquisition, reserve withdrawals, or debt-service rows distorting all-funds comparisons? | $26,943#83 NJ / #6 county; real +$2,999 | Placement load; One-time support; Outside-operating scale45% local / 41% state; <1% transfers; 11% placement load | Real movementCapital, facilities, and debt moved +$4.1M since 2019-20Proposal moveSpecial revenue funds changes -$2.4M in the latest fileCurrent scaleState aid represents 47% of operating scale | Mixed proposal movementOperating +$1.2M; cost line +$25; Capital outlay +$1.2M | Pull Grant schedules, capital/debt schedules, line-item budget, source-row proof sections, and project or bond records.Ask whether the signal belongs to grants, capital, facilities, or debt before reading it as recurring operating spending.Block Do not add outside-operating source-family rows into one operating total or treat them as ordinary classroom spending. | Open report |
| Barnegat TwpOcean County | Follow operating fundingDid the budget move toward local levy, state aid, federal revenue, or fund balance? | Operating funding familyWhich aid lines explain dependence on state funding or first-to-latest movement? | $16,936#547 NJ / #26 county; real -$2,978 | County peer baseline57% local / 39% state; 0% transfers; 4% placement load | Real movementFund balance and reserves moved -$6.9M since 2019-20Current scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 60% of operating scalePeer gapState aid sits +23 pts vs county average | UFB denominator movesOperating +$1.2M; cost line -$791; General current +$1.1M | Pull State-aid notices, levy worksheet, fund-balance notes, source-row proof sections, and tax-impact materials.Ask whether the source-family signal is a current revenue scale issue, a peer gap, a real movement, or a proposal-column move.Block Do not read General Fund operating source rows as all-funds revenue, taxpayer burden, or proof of cause without local records. | Open report |
| Bay Head BoroOcean County | Compare cost positionIs the district expensive, or just in a high-cost peer group? | Cost positionWhy does this district sit high on the published comparative-cost line? | $29,431#52 NJ / #5 county; real +$1,549 | High comparative cost; Locally funded; High tax effort97% local / 2% state; 0% transfers; 13% placement load | Real movementTransfers and tuition moved -$588,311 since 2019-20Proposal moveOther named rows changes -$314,010 in the latest fileCurrent scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 97% of operating scalePeer gapPreschool sits -26 pts vs county average | Capital proposal decreaseOperating -$49,945; cost line +$1,220; Capital outlay -$303,341 | Pull Budget presentation, adopted budget book, staffing/program notes, and local peer reports.Ask whether county, scale, grade span, placements, transfers, or side files explain the rank.Block Do not turn comparative cost into waste, quality, or adequacy by itself. | Open report |
| Beach Haven BoroOcean County | Read the current proposalWhat changes now in the proposed column before the long-run trend is interpreted? | Current proposal changeWhat does the latest proposed budget column change right now? | $34,223#21 NJ / #2 county; real -$4,692 | High comparative cost; Locally funded; High tax effort79% local / 15% state; 0% transfers; 0% placement load | Proposal moveFederal grants changes -$316,050 in the latest fileCurrent scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 79% of operating scalePeer gapPreschool sits -26 pts vs county average | UFB denominator movesOperating +$117,138; cost line -$7,810; General current +$272,914 | Pull Proposed budget, revised/current column support, adoption minutes, budget hearing deck, and district FAQ.Ask what is recurring, one-time, grant-funded, enrollment-driven, negotiated, or reclassified.Block Do not treat nominal proposal movement as an audited result or inflation-adjusted trend. | Open report |
| Berkeley TwpOcean County | Separate outside-operating moneyIs the story about grants, special revenue, capital, facilities, or debt rather than recurring operating spending? | Outside-operating familyAre capital projects, facilities acquisition, reserve withdrawals, or debt-service rows distorting all-funds comparisons? | $18,594#505 NJ / #21 county; real -$94 | Locally funded; One-time support; Outside-operating scale82% local / 10% state; <1% transfers; <1% placement load | Real movementCapital, facilities, and debt moved -$4.8M since 2019-20Current scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 82% of operating scalePeer gapSpecial revenue funds sits +13 pts vs county average | Tax levy drives proposalOperating +$2.3M; cost line +$676; General current +$2.6M | Pull Grant schedules, capital/debt schedules, line-item budget, source-row proof sections, and project or bond records.Ask whether the signal belongs to grants, capital, facilities, or debt before reading it as recurring operating spending.Block Do not add outside-operating source-family rows into one operating total or treat them as ordinary classroom spending. | Open report |
| Brick TwpOcean County | Separate outside-operating moneyIs the story about grants, special revenue, capital, facilities, or debt rather than recurring operating spending? | Outside-operating familyAre capital projects, facilities acquisition, reserve withdrawals, or debt-service rows distorting all-funds comparisons? | $18,348#519 NJ / #23 county; real -$865 | Locally funded; Side-file context87% local / 11% state; <1% transfers; 1% placement load | Real movementCapital, facilities, and debt moved -$18.3M since 2019-20Proposal moveFund balance and reserves changes -$17.8M in the latest fileCurrent scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 86% of operating scalePeer gapPreschool sits -13 pts vs county average | Capital proposal decreaseOperating -$6.0M; cost line +$362; Capital outlay -$11.5M | Pull Grant schedules, capital/debt schedules, line-item budget, source-row proof sections, and project or bond records.Ask whether the signal belongs to grants, capital, facilities, or debt before reading it as recurring operating spending.Block Do not add outside-operating source-family rows into one operating total or treat them as ordinary classroom spending. | Open report |
| Central RegionalOcean County | Check students and service loadIs a per-student comparison really about denominator, placements, or student need? | Student/service familyIs preschool aid, carryover, instruction, or support service scale material? | $20,424#392 NJ / #16 county; real +$2,115 | Locally funded; Side-file context85% local / 14% state; <1% transfers; 2% placement load | Real movementState aid moved +$1.3M since 2019-20Current scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 84% of operating scalePeer gapPreschool sits -26 pts vs county average | Proposed comparative cost increaseOperating +$3.6M; cost line +$1,722; General current +$3.5M | Pull Tuition and placement schedules, preschool aid records, service-load rows, contracts, and source-row proof sections.Ask whether transfers, tuition, preschool, or special-education/support rows explain the comparison frame.Block Do not treat source-family rows as audited service counts, quality, adequacy, or a complete program ledger. | Open report |
| Eagleswood TwpOcean County | Check students and service loadIs a per-student comparison really about denominator, placements, or student need? | Student/service familyIs preschool aid, carryover, instruction, or support service scale material? | $27,115#78 NJ / #7 county; real +$1,231 | Locally funded; One-time support; Outside-operating scale77% local / 13% state; 0% transfers; 0% placement load | Real movementPreschool moved +$1.5M since 2019-20Current scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 82% of operating scalePeer gapSpecial revenue funds sits +18 pts vs county average | Tax levy drives proposalOperating +$280,179; cost line +$415; General current +$280,179 | Pull Tuition and placement schedules, preschool aid records, service-load rows, contracts, and source-row proof sections.Ask whether transfers, tuition, preschool, or special-education/support rows explain the comparison frame.Block Do not treat source-family rows as audited service counts, quality, adequacy, or a complete program ledger. | Open report |
| Island Heights BoroOcean County | Separate outside-operating moneyIs the story about grants, special revenue, capital, facilities, or debt rather than recurring operating spending? | Outside-operating familyHow large are grant-funded or otherwise outside-operating programs relative to operating budgets? | $22,052#280 NJ / #11 county; real -$1,308 | Locally funded; Outside-operating scale; Side-file context83% local / 13% state; 0% transfers; 1% placement load | Proposal moveSpecial education and student supports changes +$95,790 in the latest fileCurrent scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 87% of operating scalePeer gapSpecial revenue funds sits +10 pts vs county average | Mixed proposal movementOperating +$81,561; cost line -$496; General current +$98,911 | Pull Grant schedules, capital/debt schedules, line-item budget, source-row proof sections, and project or bond records.Ask whether the signal belongs to grants, capital, facilities, or debt before reading it as recurring operating spending.Block Do not add outside-operating source-family rows into one operating total or treat them as ordinary classroom spending. | Open report |
| Jackson TwpOcean County | Follow operating fundingDid the budget move toward local levy, state aid, federal revenue, or fund balance? | Operating funding familyWhich aid lines explain dependence on state funding or first-to-latest movement? | $18,178#525 NJ / #24 county; real -$1,143 | Locally funded; Side-file context82% local / 17% state; <1% transfers; 1% placement load | Real movementState aid moved -$26.5M since 2019-20Current scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 88% of operating scalePeer gapPreschool sits -12 pts vs county average | Transfer proposal increaseOperating +$1.2M; cost line +$308; Benefits +$3.3M | Pull State-aid notices, levy worksheet, fund-balance notes, source-row proof sections, and tax-impact materials.Ask whether the source-family signal is a current revenue scale issue, a peer gap, a real movement, or a proposal-column move.Block Do not read General Fund operating source rows as all-funds revenue, taxpayer burden, or proof of cause without local records. | Open report |
| Lacey TwpOcean County | Separate outside-operating moneyIs the story about grants, special revenue, capital, facilities, or debt rather than recurring operating spending? | Outside-operating familyHow large are grant-funded or otherwise outside-operating programs relative to operating budgets? | $18,880#489 NJ / #19 county; real -$1,797 | Locally funded; Side-file context88% local / 12% state; 0% transfers; 2% placement load | Real movementSpecial revenue funds moved +$14.1M since 2019-20Current scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 91% of operating scale | Tax levy drives proposalOperating +$2.6M; cost line +$849; Benefits +$3.5M | Pull Grant schedules, capital/debt schedules, line-item budget, source-row proof sections, and project or bond records.Ask whether the signal belongs to grants, capital, facilities, or debt before reading it as recurring operating spending.Block Do not add outside-operating source-family rows into one operating total or treat them as ordinary classroom spending. | Open report |
| Lakehurst BoroOcean County | Separate outside-operating moneyIs the story about grants, special revenue, capital, facilities, or debt rather than recurring operating spending? | Budget model and use structureWhich budget model explains why the district should not be compared only by one cost rank? | $18,634#503 NJ / #20 county; real +$483 | State-funded; Placement load; Outside-operating scale15% local / 76% state; 0% transfers; 28% placement load | Current scaleState aid represents 94% of operating scale | State revenue drives proposalOperating +$791,039; cost line +$236; General current +$968,401 | Pull Line-item budget, tuition/transfer schedules, school-resource statements, grant/debt schedules, and contracts.Ask whether transfers, school-based allocations, special revenue, debt, or capital rows drive the comparison.Block Do not add nested or outside-operating rows into one spending total. | Open report |
| Lakewood TwpOcean County | Compare cost positionIs the district expensive, or just in a high-cost peer group? | Cost positionWhy does this district sit high on the published comparative-cost line? | $32,375#35 NJ / #3 county; real +$9,818 | High comparative cost; Rising real cost; Placement load51% local / 48% state; 4% transfers; 11% placement load | Current scaleState aid represents 85% of operating scale | Proposed comparative cost decreaseOperating -$32.4M; cost line -$2,764; General current -$40.2M | Pull Budget presentation, adopted budget book, staffing/program notes, and local peer reports.Ask whether county, scale, grade span, placements, transfers, or side files explain the rank.Block Do not turn comparative cost into waste, quality, or adequacy by itself. | Open report |
| Lavallette BoroOcean County | Separate outside-operating moneyIs the story about grants, special revenue, capital, facilities, or debt rather than recurring operating spending? | Outside-operating familyAre capital projects, facilities acquisition, reserve withdrawals, or debt-service rows distorting all-funds comparisons? | $26,894#84 NJ / #8 county; real +$90 | Locally funded; High tax effort; Placement load91% local / 3% state; 0% transfers; 29% placement load | Proposal moveCapital, facilities, and debt changes -$1.1M in the latest fileCurrent scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 82% of operating scalePeer gapPreschool sits -26 pts vs county average | Mixed proposal movementOperating +$281,512; cost line -$112; General current +$328,529 | Pull Grant schedules, capital/debt schedules, line-item budget, source-row proof sections, and project or bond records.Ask whether the signal belongs to grants, capital, facilities, or debt before reading it as recurring operating spending.Block Do not add outside-operating source-family rows into one operating total or treat them as ordinary classroom spending. | Open report |
| Little Egg Harbor TwpOcean County | Follow operating fundingDid the budget move toward local levy, state aid, federal revenue, or fund balance? | Operating funding familyWhich aid lines explain dependence on state funding or first-to-latest movement? | $18,536#508 NJ / #22 county; real -$1,966 | Outside-operating scale; Side-file context69% local / 27% state; 0% transfers; <1% placement load | Real movementState aid moved -$5.1M since 2019-20Current scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 69% of operating scalePeer gapSpecial revenue funds sits +20 pts vs county average | Tax levy drives proposalOperating +$2.2M; cost line +$592; General current +$2.4M | Pull State-aid notices, levy worksheet, fund-balance notes, source-row proof sections, and tax-impact materials.Ask whether the source-family signal is a current revenue scale issue, a peer gap, a real movement, or a proposal-column move.Block Do not read General Fund operating source rows as all-funds revenue, taxpayer burden, or proof of cause without local records. | Open report |
| Long Beach IslandOcean County | Test one-time supportIs the budget leaning on fund balance, reserve withdrawals, or carryover that must be checked for recurrence? | One-time supportIs the budget using fund balance, reserve, or carryover support that needs a recurrence check? | $38,718#15 NJ / #1 county; real +$2,092 | High comparative cost; High tax effort; One-time support52% local / 6% state; 0% transfers; 1% placement load | Current scaleCapital, facilities, and debt represents 81% of operating scale | UFB denominator movesOperating +$5.3M; cost line -$982; Capital outlay +$4.7M | Pull Fund-balance appropriation notes, reserve withdrawal rows, board minutes, and audit or ACFR schedules.Ask whether the source recurs, replaces aid or levy, bridges a one-year plan, or draws restricted reserves.Block Do not call planned source rows audited cash stress or recurring operating revenue. | Open report |
| Manchester TwpOcean County | Separate outside-operating moneyIs the story about grants, special revenue, capital, facilities, or debt rather than recurring operating spending? | Outside-operating familyHow large are grant-funded or otherwise outside-operating programs relative to operating budgets? | $20,757#371 NJ / #14 county; real -$366 | Locally funded; Side-file context87% local / 13% state; 1% transfers; 2% placement load | Real movementSpecial revenue funds moved +$8.0M since 2019-20Current scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 86% of operating scalePeer gapPreschool sits -12 pts vs county average | Mixed proposal movementOperating +$2.4M; cost line +$497; General current +$3.4M | Pull Grant schedules, capital/debt schedules, line-item budget, source-row proof sections, and project or bond records.Ask whether the signal belongs to grants, capital, facilities, or debt before reading it as recurring operating spending.Block Do not add outside-operating source-family rows into one operating total or treat them as ordinary classroom spending. | Open report |
| Ocean County VocationalOcean County | Check students and service loadIs a per-student comparison really about denominator, placements, or student need? | Student and service loadIs the budget story really about who the district budgets to serve, send, or receive? | $13,497#566 NJ / #28 county; real -$2,513 | Locally funded; High tax effort; Side-file context82% local / 15% state; 0% transfers; 0% placement load | Current scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 135% of operating scale | Mixed proposal movementOperating +$2.4M; cost line +$871; General current +$2.1M | Pull Budget-enrollment assumptions, placement counts, tuition agreements, special-services records, and receiving-district context.Ask who the district budgets to serve, send, or receive before quoting per-student costs.Block Do not treat UFB planning rows as audited fall enrollment or service quality. | Open report |
| Ocean Gate BoroOcean County | Read the current proposalWhat changes now in the proposed column before the long-run trend is interpreted? | Current proposal changeWhat does the latest proposed budget column change right now? | $23,234#216 NJ / #10 county; real -$1,436 | Locally funded; Outside-operating scale; Side-file context76% local / 12% state; 0% transfers; 1% placement load | Proposal moveFund balance and reserves changes -$584,378 in the latest fileReal movementState aid moved -$577,849 since 2019-20Current scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 76% of operating scalePeer gapSpecial revenue funds sits +13 pts vs county average | Tax levy drives proposalOperating +$119,121; cost line -$864; General current +$192,684 | Pull Proposed budget, revised/current column support, adoption minutes, budget hearing deck, and district FAQ.Ask what is recurring, one-time, grant-funded, enrollment-driven, negotiated, or reclassified.Block Do not treat nominal proposal movement as an audited result or inflation-adjusted trend. | Open report |
| Ocean TwpOcean County | Separate outside-operating moneyIs the story about grants, special revenue, capital, facilities, or debt rather than recurring operating spending? | Outside-operating familyHow large are grant-funded or otherwise outside-operating programs relative to operating budgets? | $20,551#383 NJ / #15 county; real -$3,659 | Locally funded; High tax effort; Placement load78% local / 10% state; 0% transfers; 73% placement load | Real movementSpecial revenue funds moved +$3.8M since 2019-20Current scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 79% of operating scalePeer gapTransfers and tuition sits +34 pts vs county average | Mixed proposal movementOperating +$788,153; cost line +$22; General current +$497,453 | Pull Grant schedules, capital/debt schedules, line-item budget, source-row proof sections, and project or bond records.Ask whether the signal belongs to grants, capital, facilities, or debt before reading it as recurring operating spending.Block Do not add outside-operating source-family rows into one operating total or treat them as ordinary classroom spending. | Open report |
| Pinelands RegionalOcean County | Check students and service loadIs a per-student comparison really about denominator, placements, or student need? | Student/service familyIs preschool aid, carryover, instruction, or support service scale material? | $21,820#297 NJ / #12 county; real -$1,813 | Outside-operating scale; Side-file context65% local / 29% state; <1% transfers; 1% placement load | Real movementState aid moved -$3.5M since 2019-20Current scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 71% of operating scalePeer gapPreschool sits -26 pts vs county average | Mixed proposal movementOperating -$117,805; cost line +$14; Benefits +$533,400 | Pull Tuition and placement schedules, preschool aid records, service-load rows, contracts, and source-row proof sections.Ask whether transfers, tuition, preschool, or special-education/support rows explain the comparison frame.Block Do not treat source-family rows as audited service counts, quality, adequacy, or a complete program ledger. | Open report |
| Plumsted TwpOcean County | Follow operating fundingDid the budget move toward local levy, state aid, federal revenue, or fund balance? | Funding model shiftDid the district move toward local levy, state aid, federal revenue, or fund balance? | $19,180#475 NJ / #18 county; real -$3,525 | Side-file context71% local / 23% state; 0% transfers; 2% placement load | Current scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 73% of operating scalePeer gapState aid sits +10 pts vs county average | Tax levy drives proposalOperating +$1.0M; cost line +$667; General current +$1.1M | Pull State-aid notices, levy worksheet, fund-balance notes, tax-impact slides, and budget presentation.Ask whether formula aid, levy-cap behavior, tax base, or fund balance changed who pays.Block Do not read General Fund operating mix as all-funds revenue or a household tax bill. | Open report |
| Point Pleasant Beach BoroOcean County | Read the current proposalWhat changes now in the proposed column before the long-run trend is interpreted? | Current proposal changeWhat does the latest proposed budget column change right now? | $28,270#65 NJ / #6 county; real +$3,218 | Locally funded; One-time support; Outside-operating scale82% local / 3% state; 0% transfers; 2% placement load | Proposal moveCapital, facilities, and debt changes +$4.0M in the latest fileReal movementFund balance and reserves moved +$3.1M since 2019-20Current scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 73% of operating scalePeer gapPreschool sits -26 pts vs county average | Mixed proposal movementOperating +$3.2M; cost line +$1,214; Capital outlay +$2.0M | Pull Proposed budget, revised/current column support, adoption minutes, budget hearing deck, and district FAQ.Ask what is recurring, one-time, grant-funded, enrollment-driven, negotiated, or reclassified.Block Do not treat nominal proposal movement as an audited result or inflation-adjusted trend. | Open report |
| Point Pleasant BoroOcean County | Check students and service loadIs a per-student comparison really about denominator, placements, or student need? | Student/service familyIs preschool aid, carryover, instruction, or support service scale material? | $18,159#526 NJ / #25 county; real -$337 | Locally funded; One-time support; Side-file context85% local / 8% state; 0% transfers; 1% placement load | Real movementCapital, facilities, and debt moved -$2.8M since 2019-20Current scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 86% of operating scalePeer gapPreschool sits -21 pts vs county average | Benefits drive proposed useOperating -$190,362; cost line +$611; Capital outlay -$3.0M | Pull Tuition and placement schedules, preschool aid records, service-load rows, contracts, and source-row proof sections.Ask whether transfers, tuition, preschool, or special-education/support rows explain the comparison frame.Block Do not treat source-family rows as audited service counts, quality, adequacy, or a complete program ledger. | Open report |
| Seaside Heights BoroOcean County | Compare cost positionIs the district expensive, or just in a high-cost peer group? | Cost positionWhy does this district sit high on the published comparative-cost line? | $31,601#39 NJ / #4 county; real +$5,598 | High comparative cost; Rising real cost; Locally funded87% local / 8% state; 0% transfers; 3% placement load | Real movementPreschool moved +$1.4M since 2019-20Proposal moveFederal grants changes -$222,339 in the latest fileCurrent scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 87% of operating scalePeer gapSpecial revenue funds sits +15 pts vs county average | Proposed comparative cost increaseOperating +$349,656; cost line +$2,286; General current +$349,656 | Pull Budget presentation, adopted budget book, staffing/program notes, and local peer reports.Ask whether county, scale, grade span, placements, transfers, or side files explain the rank.Block Do not turn comparative cost into waste, quality, or adequacy by itself. | Open report |
| Seaside Park BoroOcean County | Test one-time supportIs the budget leaning on fund balance, reserve withdrawals, or carryover that must be checked for recurrence? | One-time supportIs the budget using fund balance, reserve, or carryover support that needs a recurrence check? | n/an/a NJ / n/a county; real n/a | One-time support; Outside-operating scale; Side-file context67% local / 6% state; 0% transfers; n/a placement load | Real movementCapital, facilities, and debt moved -$1.2M since 2019-20Current scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 66% of operating scalePeer gapTransfers and tuition sits +46 pts vs county average | Fund-balance proposal shiftOperating +$118,084; cost line n/a; General current +$124,234 | Pull Fund-balance appropriation notes, reserve withdrawal rows, board minutes, and audit or ACFR schedules.Ask whether the source recurs, replaces aid or levy, bridges a one-year plan, or draws restricted reserves.Block Do not call planned source rows audited cash stress or recurring operating revenue. | Open report |
| Southern RegionalOcean County | Check students and service loadIs a per-student comparison really about denominator, placements, or student need? | Student/service familyIs preschool aid, carryover, instruction, or support service scale material? | $23,554#195 NJ / #9 county; real -$129 | Locally funded; Side-file context89% local / 7% state; 0% transfers; <1% placement load | Proposal moveOther named rows changes -$2.1M in the latest fileCurrent scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 75% of operating scalePeer gapPreschool sits -26 pts vs county average | Mixed proposal movementOperating +$1.9M; cost line +$927; General current +$2.7M | Pull Tuition and placement schedules, preschool aid records, service-load rows, contracts, and source-row proof sections.Ask whether transfers, tuition, preschool, or special-education/support rows explain the comparison frame.Block Do not treat source-family rows as audited service counts, quality, adequacy, or a complete program ledger. | Open report |
| Stafford TwpOcean County | Read the current proposalWhat changes now in the proposed column before the long-run trend is interpreted? | Current proposal changeWhat does the latest proposed budget column change right now? | $21,433#332 NJ / #13 county; real -$1,196 | One-time support; Outside-operating scale; Side-file context75% local / 11% state; 0% transfers; 1% placement load | Real movementPreschool moved +$10.7M since 2019-20Current scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 76% of operating scalePeer gapSpecial revenue funds sits +11 pts vs county average | Proposed comparative cost increaseOperating +$3.4M; cost line +$3,249; General current +$3.5M | Pull Proposed budget, revised/current column support, adoption minutes, budget hearing deck, and district FAQ.Ask what is recurring, one-time, grant-funded, enrollment-driven, negotiated, or reclassified.Block Do not treat nominal proposal movement as an audited result or inflation-adjusted trend. | Open report |
| Toms River RegionalOcean County | Follow operating fundingDid the budget move toward local levy, state aid, federal revenue, or fund balance? | Operating funding familyWhich aid lines explain dependence on state funding or first-to-latest movement? | $16,854#551 NJ / #27 county; real -$286 | Locally funded; Side-file context83% local / 14% state; <1% transfers; 1% placement load | Real movementState aid moved -$45.5M since 2019-20Proposal moveCapital, facilities, and debt changes -$32.6M in the latest fileCurrent scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 86% of operating scalePeer gapPreschool sits -26 pts vs county average | Tax levy drives proposalOperating -$1.3M; cost line +$714; Capital outlay -$12.4M | Pull State-aid notices, levy worksheet, fund-balance notes, source-row proof sections, and tax-impact materials.Ask whether the source-family signal is a current revenue scale issue, a peer gap, a real movement, or a proposal-column move.Block Do not read General Fund operating source rows as all-funds revenue, taxpayer burden, or proof of cause without local records. | Open report |
| Tuckerton BoroOcean County | Check students and service loadIs a per-student comparison really about denominator, placements, or student need? | Student/service familyIs preschool aid, carryover, instruction, or support service scale material? | $20,341#402 NJ / #17 county; real -$228 | One-time support; Outside-operating scale66% local / 32% state; 0% transfers; 0% placement load | Real movementPreschool moved +$2.3M since 2019-20Proposal moveCapital, facilities, and debt changes -$486,296 in the latest fileCurrent scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 68% of operating scalePeer gapState aid sits +24 pts vs county average | Mixed proposal movementOperating +$99,324; cost line -$249; Benefits +$171,718 | Pull Tuition and placement schedules, preschool aid records, service-load rows, contracts, and source-row proof sections.Ask whether transfers, tuition, preschool, or special-education/support rows explain the comparison frame.Block Do not treat source-family rows as audited service counts, quality, adequacy, or a complete program ledger. | Open report |
| Bloomingdale BoroPassaic County | Separate outside-operating moneyIs the story about grants, special revenue, capital, facilities, or debt rather than recurring operating spending? | Outside-operating familyHow large are grant-funded or otherwise outside-operating programs relative to operating budgets? | $22,439#257 NJ / #11 county; real -$4,507 | Locally funded; Placement load; One-time support81% local / 9% state; <1% transfers; 31% placement load | Real movementSpecial revenue funds moved +$4.6M since 2019-20Proposal moveEmployee benefits changes +$1.0M in the latest fileCurrent scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 81% of operating scale | Benefits drive proposed useOperating +$1.1M; cost line +$1,218; Benefits +$1.0M | Pull Grant schedules, capital/debt schedules, line-item budget, source-row proof sections, and project or bond records.Ask whether the signal belongs to grants, capital, facilities, or debt before reading it as recurring operating spending.Block Do not add outside-operating source-family rows into one operating total or treat them as ordinary classroom spending. | Open report |
| Clifton CityPassaic County | Follow operating fundingDid the budget move toward local levy, state aid, federal revenue, or fund balance? | Funding model shiftDid the district move toward local levy, state aid, federal revenue, or fund balance? | $21,147#349 NJ / #14 county; real +$3,977 | Placement load; Side-file context57% local / 40% state; 7% transfers; 12% placement load | Proposal moveCapital, facilities, and debt changes -$17.9M in the latest fileCurrent scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 59% of operating scalePeer gapState aid sits +14 pts vs county average | Benefits drive proposed useOperating +$5.7M; cost line +$1,435; General current +$13.6M | Pull State-aid notices, levy worksheet, fund-balance notes, tax-impact slides, and budget presentation.Ask whether formula aid, levy-cap behavior, tax base, or fund balance changed who pays.Block Do not read General Fund operating mix as all-funds revenue or a household tax bill. | Open report |
| Haledon BoroPassaic County | Test one-time supportIs the budget leaning on fund balance, reserve withdrawals, or carryover that must be checked for recurrence? | One-time supportIs the budget using fund balance, reserve, or carryover support that needs a recurrence check? | $21,516#324 NJ / #13 county; real +$3,466 | One-time support; Outside-operating scale; Side-file context28% local / 55% state; 2% transfers; 1% placement load | Real movementCapital, facilities, and debt moved +$5.5M since 2019-20Proposal moveFund balance and reserves changes +$1.9M in the latest fileCurrent scaleState aid represents 61% of operating scalePeer gapLocal taxes and local sources sits -33 pts vs county average | Benefits drive proposed useOperating +$1.4M; cost line +$1,112; General current +$1.0M | Pull Fund-balance appropriation notes, reserve withdrawal rows, board minutes, and audit or ACFR schedules.Ask whether the source recurs, replaces aid or levy, bridges a one-year plan, or draws restricted reserves.Block Do not call planned source rows audited cash stress or recurring operating revenue. | Open report |
| Hawthorne BoroPassaic County | Read side-file contextWhich balances, reserves, unusual items, shared services, or listed roles change the story? | Unusual and shared-service contextDo one-off explanations or shared-service rows change the first read? | $20,701#375 NJ / #15 county; real +$820 | Locally funded; Placement load; One-time support85% local / 8% state; <1% transfers; 7% placement load | Real movementFund balance and reserves moved +$3.1M since 2019-20Current scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 87% of operating scale | Benefits drive proposed useOperating +$2.9M; cost line +$243; General current +$2.6M | Pull Unusual-item explanations, shared-service agreements, board minutes, contracts, and local savings support.Ask whether the row duplicates another source line, is one-time, district-entered, or locally verified.Block Do not add unusual rows or reported savings to operating totals. | Open report |
| Lakeland RegionalPassaic County | Follow operating fundingDid the budget move toward local levy, state aid, federal revenue, or fund balance? | Operating funding familyWhich aid lines explain dependence on state funding or first-to-latest movement? | $23,780#185 NJ / #6 county; real -$4,734 | Locally funded; Placement load; One-time support86% local / 8% state; 0% transfers; 18% placement load | Proposal moveInstruction programs changes -$1.2M in the latest fileCurrent scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 85% of operating scalePeer gapState aid sits -24 pts vs county average | Proposed comparative cost decreaseOperating -$269,754; cost line -$3,150; General current -$808,620 | Pull State-aid notices, levy worksheet, fund-balance notes, source-row proof sections, and tax-impact materials.Ask whether the source-family signal is a current revenue scale issue, a peer gap, a real movement, or a proposal-column move.Block Do not read General Fund operating source rows as all-funds revenue, taxpayer burden, or proof of cause without local records. | Open report |
| Little Falls TwpPassaic County | Separate outside-operating moneyIs the story about grants, special revenue, capital, facilities, or debt rather than recurring operating spending? | Outside-operating familyAre capital projects, facilities acquisition, reserve withdrawals, or debt-service rows distorting all-funds comparisons? | $19,692#444 NJ / #19 county; real -$2,966 | Locally funded; Side-file context87% local / 7% state; <1% transfers; 1% placement load | Proposal moveCapital, facilities, and debt changes -$1.2M in the latest fileCurrent scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 88% of operating scale | Benefits drive proposed useOperating +$679,529; cost line +$785; General current +$1.3M | Pull Grant schedules, capital/debt schedules, line-item budget, source-row proof sections, and project or bond records.Ask whether the signal belongs to grants, capital, facilities, or debt before reading it as recurring operating spending.Block Do not add outside-operating source-family rows into one operating total or treat them as ordinary classroom spending. | Open report |
| North Haledon BoroPassaic County | Read side-file contextWhich balances, reserves, unusual items, shared services, or listed roles change the story? | Unusual and shared-service contextDo one-off explanations or shared-service rows change the first read? | $19,912#433 NJ / #17 county; real +$923 | Locally funded; Outside-operating scale; Side-file context89% local / 7% state; <1% transfers; <1% placement load | Real movementCapital, facilities, and debt moved -$943,160 since 2019-20Current scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 101% of operating scale | Mixed proposal movementOperating -$89,006; cost line -$18; Capital outlay -$312,084 | Pull Unusual-item explanations, shared-service agreements, board minutes, contracts, and local savings support.Ask whether the row duplicates another source line, is one-time, district-entered, or locally verified.Block Do not add unusual rows or reported savings to operating totals. | Open report |
| Northern Region Educational Services CommissionPassaic County | Check real movementDid the story change after inflation, or is it ordinary nominal budget growth? | Per-student cost anatomyDid real per-student operating scale move because dollars changed, enrollment changed, or both? | n/an/a NJ / n/a county; real n/a | Locally funded; Side-file context100% local / n/a state; 0% transfers; 0% placement load | Real movementOther named rows moved +$9.1M since 2019-20Proposal moveLocal taxes and local sources changes +$2.7M in the latest fileCurrent scaleTransportation represents 111% of operating scale | UFB denominator movesOperating +$3.9M; cost line n/a; General current +$3.2M | Pull Multi-year budgets, enrollment assumptions, staffing rosters, labor agreements, and major contracts.Ask Separate budget-numerator movement from UFB planning-enrollment movement before naming a cause.Block Do not call the arithmetic decomposition a causal finding. | Open report |
| Passaic CityPassaic County | Test one-time supportIs the budget leaning on fund balance, reserve withdrawals, or carryover that must be checked for recurrence? | Fund balance/reserve familyIs the district leaning on fund balance, capital reserve, maintenance reserve, or similar one-time sources? | $24,842#142 NJ / #4 county; real +$590 | State-funded; School-based budgeting; Placement load6% local / 86% state; 8% transfers; 5% placement load | Proposal moveFund balance and reserves changes -$35.1M in the latest fileCurrent scaleState aid represents 97% of operating scale | Proposed comparative cost decreaseOperating -$34.5M; cost line -$2,916; General current -$21.6M | Pull Fund-balance appropriation notes, reserve withdrawal rows, recap schedules, board minutes, and audit or ACFR schedules.Ask whether the fund-balance or reserve row is recurring support, a one-year bridge, restricted, or paired with close-year balances.Block Do not call planned source-family rows audited cash stress, recurring revenue, or a structural deficit by themselves. | Open report |
| Passaic Co Manchester RegPassaic County | Separate outside-operating moneyIs the story about grants, special revenue, capital, facilities, or debt rather than recurring operating spending? | Outside-operating familyAre capital projects, facilities acquisition, reserve withdrawals, or debt-service rows distorting all-funds comparisons? | $23,523#197 NJ / #7 county; real +$2,554 | Placement load; One-time support; Outside-operating scale37% local / 51% state; 0% transfers; 62% placement load | Real movementCapital, facilities, and debt moved +$6.2M since 2019-20Proposal moveFund balance and reserves changes +$2.2M in the latest fileCurrent scaleState aid represents 51% of operating scalePeer gapLocal taxes and local sources sits -25 pts vs county average | Mixed proposal movementOperating +$1.5M; cost line +$386; General current +$1.5M | Pull Grant schedules, capital/debt schedules, line-item budget, source-row proof sections, and project or bond records.Ask whether the signal belongs to grants, capital, facilities, or debt before reading it as recurring operating spending.Block Do not add outside-operating source-family rows into one operating total or treat them as ordinary classroom spending. | Open report |
| Passaic County VocationalPassaic County | Follow operating fundingDid the budget move toward local levy, state aid, federal revenue, or fund balance? | Operating funding familyHow much of the budget story is local levy, tuition, fees, or miscellaneous local revenue? | $26,192#101 NJ / #3 county; real +$514 | One-time support; Outside-operating scale; Side-file context39% local / 48% state; 0% transfers; 0% placement load | Proposal moveOther named rows changes -$11.2M in the latest filePeer gapLocal taxes and local sources sits -51 pts vs county averageCurrent scaleState aid represents 49% of operating scale | Proposed comparative cost increaseOperating +$7.0M; cost line +$2,257; General current +$8.7M | Pull State-aid notices, levy worksheet, fund-balance notes, source-row proof sections, and tax-impact materials.Ask whether the source-family signal is a current revenue scale issue, a peer gap, a real movement, or a proposal-column move.Block Do not read General Fund operating source rows as all-funds revenue, taxpayer burden, or proof of cause without local records. | Open report |
| Passaic Valley RegionalPassaic County | Follow operating fundingDid the budget move toward local levy, state aid, federal revenue, or fund balance? | Operating funding familyWhich aid lines explain dependence on state funding or first-to-latest movement? | $26,346#95 NJ / #2 county; real +$1,080 | Locally funded; Placement load; One-time support82% local / 7% state; 1% transfers; 36% placement load | Proposal moveCapital, facilities, and debt changes -$1.7M in the latest fileCurrent scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 78% of operating scalePeer gapState aid sits -25 pts vs county average | Mixed proposal movementOperating +$1.7M; cost line +$1,327; General current +$1.6M | Pull State-aid notices, levy worksheet, fund-balance notes, source-row proof sections, and tax-impact materials.Ask whether the source-family signal is a current revenue scale issue, a peer gap, a real movement, or a proposal-column move.Block Do not read General Fund operating source rows as all-funds revenue, taxpayer burden, or proof of cause without local records. | Open report |
| Paterson CityPassaic County | Check students and service loadIs a per-student comparison really about denominator, placements, or student need? | Student/service familyDo charter/Renaissance transfers, tuition, or purchased placements change the budget story? | $24,142#170 NJ / #5 county; real +$3,489 | State-funded; Charter/Renaissance transfers; School-based budgeting12% local / 83% state; 21% transfers; 9% placement load | Real movementTransfers and tuition moved +$93.6M since 2019-20Proposal moveFederal grants changes -$56.2M in the latest fileCurrent scaleState aid represents 92% of operating scale | State revenue drives proposalOperating +$36.4M; cost line +$704; School-based budgeting +$17.5M | Pull Tuition and placement schedules, preschool aid records, service-load rows, contracts, and source-row proof sections.Ask whether transfers, tuition, preschool, or special-education/support rows explain the comparison frame.Block Do not treat source-family rows as audited service counts, quality, adequacy, or a complete program ledger. | Open report |
| Pompton Lakes BoroPassaic County | Separate outside-operating moneyIs the story about grants, special revenue, capital, facilities, or debt rather than recurring operating spending? | Outside-operating familyAre capital projects, facilities acquisition, reserve withdrawals, or debt-service rows distorting all-funds comparisons? | $21,590#319 NJ / #12 county; real -$2,547 | One-time support; Side-file context68% local / 22% state; <1% transfers; 5% placement load | Real movementCapital, facilities, and debt moved +$5.9M since 2019-20Proposal moveOther named rows changes -$3.0M in the latest fileCurrent scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 64% of operating scalePeer gapPreschool sits -21 pts vs county average | Mixed proposal movementOperating -$392,505; cost line +$488; Benefits +$1.1M | Pull Grant schedules, capital/debt schedules, line-item budget, source-row proof sections, and project or bond records.Ask whether the signal belongs to grants, capital, facilities, or debt before reading it as recurring operating spending.Block Do not add outside-operating source-family rows into one operating total or treat them as ordinary classroom spending. | Open report |
| Prospect Park BoroPassaic County | Separate outside-operating moneyIs the story about grants, special revenue, capital, facilities, or debt rather than recurring operating spending? | Outside-operating familyHow large are grant-funded or otherwise outside-operating programs relative to operating budgets? | $18,362#518 NJ / #20 county; real +$1,711 | State-funded; Outside-operating scale; Side-file context20% local / 78% state; 4% transfers; 1% placement load | Proposal moveSpecial revenue funds changes -$1.6M in the latest fileCurrent scaleState aid represents 94% of operating scale | Proposed comparative cost decreaseOperating -$470,505; cost line -$2,881; Capital outlay -$374,142 | Pull Grant schedules, capital/debt schedules, line-item budget, source-row proof sections, and project or bond records.Ask whether the signal belongs to grants, capital, facilities, or debt before reading it as recurring operating spending.Block Do not add outside-operating source-family rows into one operating total or treat them as ordinary classroom spending. | Open report |
| Ringwood BoroPassaic County | Compare cost positionIs the district expensive, or just in a high-cost peer group? | Cost positionWhy does this district sit high on the published comparative-cost line? | $26,590#91 NJ / #1 county; real +$2,202 | Locally funded; One-time support; Side-file context85% local / 8% state; 0% transfers; 1% placement load | Real movementCapital, facilities, and debt moved -$1.8M since 2019-20Current scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 86% of operating scalePeer gapState aid sits -24 pts vs county average | Mixed proposal movementOperating -$169,911; cost line -$685; Plant operations -$341,005 | Pull Budget presentation, adopted budget book, staffing/program notes, and local peer reports.Ask whether county, scale, grade span, placements, transfers, or side files explain the rank.Block Do not turn comparative cost into waste, quality, or adequacy by itself. | Open report |
| Totowa BoroPassaic County | Test one-time supportIs the budget leaning on fund balance, reserve withdrawals, or carryover that must be checked for recurrence? | One-time supportIs the budget using fund balance, reserve, or carryover support that needs a recurrence check? | $23,495#200 NJ / #8 county; real +$1,199 | One-time support; Side-file context68% local / 4% state; 1% transfers; 1% placement load | Proposal moveCapital, facilities, and debt changes -$4.8M in the latest fileCurrent scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 67% of operating scalePeer gapState aid sits -26 pts vs county average | Benefits drive proposed useOperating +$1.3M; cost line +$1,474; General current +$3.6M | Pull Fund-balance appropriation notes, reserve withdrawal rows, board minutes, and audit or ACFR schedules.Ask whether the source recurs, replaces aid or levy, bridges a one-year plan, or draws restricted reserves.Block Do not call planned source rows audited cash stress or recurring operating revenue. | Open report |
| Wanaque BoroPassaic County | Separate outside-operating moneyIs the story about grants, special revenue, capital, facilities, or debt rather than recurring operating spending? | Outside-operating familyAre capital projects, facilities acquisition, reserve withdrawals, or debt-service rows distorting all-funds comparisons? | $20,454#390 NJ / #16 county; real -$2,673 | Locally funded; Side-file context87% local / 9% state; 0% transfers; 1% placement load | Real movementCapital, facilities, and debt moved -$1.6M since 2019-20Current scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 89% of operating scale | Mixed proposal movementOperating +$148,093; cost line -$495; Benefits +$477,146 | Pull Grant schedules, capital/debt schedules, line-item budget, source-row proof sections, and project or bond records.Ask whether the signal belongs to grants, capital, facilities, or debt before reading it as recurring operating spending.Block Do not add outside-operating source-family rows into one operating total or treat them as ordinary classroom spending. | Open report |
| Wayne TwpPassaic County | Read side-file contextWhich balances, reserves, unusual items, shared services, or listed roles change the story? | Unusual and shared-service contextDo one-off explanations or shared-service rows change the first read? | $22,751#245 NJ / #10 county; real -$1,549 | Locally funded; Side-file context91% local / 9% state; <1% transfers; 2% placement load | Proposal moveEmployee benefits changes +$5.1M in the latest fileCurrent scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 91% of operating scale | Mixed proposal movementOperating +$3.7M; cost line -$52; Benefits +$5.1M | Pull Unusual-item explanations, shared-service agreements, board minutes, contracts, and local savings support.Ask whether the row duplicates another source line, is one-time, district-entered, or locally verified.Block Do not add unusual rows or reported savings to operating totals. | Open report |
| West Milford TwpPassaic County | Follow operating fundingDid the budget move toward local levy, state aid, federal revenue, or fund balance? | Operating funding familyWhich aid lines explain dependence on state funding or first-to-latest movement? | $23,445#204 NJ / #9 county; real -$1,287 | Locally funded; Side-file context88% local / 8% state; 0% transfers; 4% placement load | Real movementState aid moved -$11.0M since 2019-20Current scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 88% of operating scale | Mixed proposal movementOperating +$3.7M; cost line +$494; General current +$1.9M | Pull State-aid notices, levy worksheet, fund-balance notes, source-row proof sections, and tax-impact materials.Ask whether the source-family signal is a current revenue scale issue, a peer gap, a real movement, or a proposal-column move.Block Do not read General Fund operating source rows as all-funds revenue, taxpayer burden, or proof of cause without local records. | Open report |
| Woodland ParkPassaic County | Separate outside-operating moneyIs the story about grants, special revenue, capital, facilities, or debt rather than recurring operating spending? | Outside-operating familyHow large are grant-funded or otherwise outside-operating programs relative to operating budgets? | $19,902#434 NJ / #18 county; real -$367 | Locally funded; Outside-operating scale; Side-file context84% local / 15% state; 2% transfers; 1% placement load | Real movementSpecial revenue funds moved +$6.6M since 2019-20Current scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 87% of operating scale | Mixed proposal movementOperating +$621,545; cost line +$739; Benefits +$663,711 | Pull Grant schedules, capital/debt schedules, line-item budget, source-row proof sections, and project or bond records.Ask whether the signal belongs to grants, capital, facilities, or debt before reading it as recurring operating spending.Block Do not add outside-operating source-family rows into one operating total or treat them as ordinary classroom spending. | Open report |
| Alloway TwpSalem County | Separate outside-operating moneyIs the story about grants, special revenue, capital, facilities, or debt rather than recurring operating spending? | Outside-operating familyHow large are grant-funded or otherwise outside-operating programs relative to operating budgets? | $16,402#558 NJ / #14 county; real -$753 | Placement load; One-time support; Outside-operating scale70% local / 24% state; 2% transfers; 32% placement load | Real movementSpecial revenue funds moved +$1.9M since 2019-20Proposal moveFund balance and reserves changes -$1.0M in the latest fileCurrent scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 70% of operating scale | Proposed comparative cost decreaseOperating -$760,515; cost line -$3,126; General current -$696,353 | Pull Grant schedules, capital/debt schedules, line-item budget, source-row proof sections, and project or bond records.Ask whether the signal belongs to grants, capital, facilities, or debt before reading it as recurring operating spending.Block Do not add outside-operating source-family rows into one operating total or treat them as ordinary classroom spending. | Open report |
| Elsinboro TwpSalem County | Test one-time supportIs the budget leaning on fund balance, reserve withdrawals, or carryover that must be checked for recurrence? | One-time supportIs the budget using fund balance, reserve, or carryover support that needs a recurrence check? | $24,643#147 NJ / #2 county; real +$4,337 | Rising real cost; Placement load; One-time support43% local / 36% state; 0% transfers; 11% placement load | Real movementFund balance and reserves moved +$543,170 since 2019-20Proposal moveFederal grants changes -$423,996 in the latest fileCurrent scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 43% of operating scalePeer gapTransfers and tuition sits -13 pts vs county average | Proposed comparative cost decreaseOperating +$11,379; cost line -$4,154; General current +$148,597 | Pull Fund-balance appropriation notes, reserve withdrawal rows, board minutes, and audit or ACFR schedules.Ask whether the source recurs, replaces aid or levy, bridges a one-year plan, or draws restricted reserves.Block Do not call planned source rows audited cash stress or recurring operating revenue. | Open report |
| Lower Alloways CreekSalem County | Test one-time supportIs the budget leaning on fund balance, reserve withdrawals, or carryover that must be checked for recurrence? | One-time supportIs the budget using fund balance, reserve, or carryover support that needs a recurrence check? | $21,650#314 NJ / #6 county; real -$3,411 | Locally funded; Placement load; One-time support76% local / 7% state; 0% transfers; 7% placement load | Real movementSpecial revenue funds moved +$1.5M since 2019-20Current scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 75% of operating scale | Mixed proposal movementOperating +$197,304; cost line -$827; General current +$137,304 | Pull Fund-balance appropriation notes, reserve withdrawal rows, board minutes, and audit or ACFR schedules.Ask whether the source recurs, replaces aid or levy, bridges a one-year plan, or draws restricted reserves.Block Do not call planned source rows audited cash stress or recurring operating revenue. | Open report |
| Mannington TwpSalem County | Test one-time supportIs the budget leaning on fund balance, reserve withdrawals, or carryover that must be checked for recurrence? | One-time supportIs the budget using fund balance, reserve, or carryover support that needs a recurrence check? | $21,077#352 NJ / #8 county; real -$47 | Placement load; One-time support; Outside-operating scale75% local / 11% state; 0% transfers; 15% placement load | Proposal moveFederal grants changes -$1.7M in the latest fileReal movementPreschool moved +$1.2M since 2019-20Current scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 75% of operating scale | Mixed proposal movementOperating +$182,336; cost line -$801; Capital outlay +$118,000 | Pull Fund-balance appropriation notes, reserve withdrawal rows, board minutes, and audit or ACFR schedules.Ask whether the source recurs, replaces aid or levy, bridges a one-year plan, or draws restricted reserves.Block Do not call planned source rows audited cash stress or recurring operating revenue. | Open report |
| Oldmans TwpSalem County | Test one-time supportIs the budget leaning on fund balance, reserve withdrawals, or carryover that must be checked for recurrence? | One-time supportIs the budget using fund balance, reserve, or carryover support that needs a recurrence check? | $16,860#549 NJ / #13 county; real -$2,256 | Placement load; One-time support; Side-file context46% local / 44% state; 0% transfers; 7% placement load | Proposal moveCapital, facilities, and debt changes -$664,531 in the latest fileCurrent scaleState aid represents 50% of operating scalePeer gapSpecial revenue funds sits -11 pts vs county average | Proposed comparative cost decreaseOperating +$57,110; cost line -$1,665; General current +$440,181 | Pull Fund-balance appropriation notes, reserve withdrawal rows, board minutes, and audit or ACFR schedules.Ask whether the source recurs, replaces aid or levy, bridges a one-year plan, or draws restricted reserves.Block Do not call planned source rows audited cash stress or recurring operating revenue. | Open report |
| Penns Grv-Carneys Pt RegSalem County | Follow operating fundingDid the budget move toward local levy, state aid, federal revenue, or fund balance? | Operating funding familyWhich federal rows are large, concentrated, or fading after pandemic-era aid? | $21,900#291 NJ / #4 county; real +$2,398 | One-time support; Outside-operating scale; Side-file context20% local / 72% state; 1% transfers; 4% placement load | Proposal moveFederal grants changes -$20.7M in the latest fileCurrent scaleState aid represents 78% of operating scale | State revenue drives proposalOperating -$611,866; cost line +$1,458; Capital outlay -$3.9M | Pull State-aid notices, levy worksheet, fund-balance notes, source-row proof sections, and tax-impact materials.Ask whether the source-family signal is a current revenue scale issue, a peer gap, a real movement, or a proposal-column move.Block Do not read General Fund operating source rows as all-funds revenue, taxpayer burden, or proof of cause without local records. | Open report |
| PennsvilleSalem County | Follow operating fundingDid the budget move toward local levy, state aid, federal revenue, or fund balance? | Operating funding familyWhich aid lines explain dependence on state funding or first-to-latest movement? | $21,497#326 NJ / #7 county; real +$1,231 | One-time support; Outside-operating scale; Side-file context50% local / 41% state; <1% transfers; 3% placement load | Real movementState aid moved +$8.3M since 2019-20Current scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 53% of operating scalePeer gapCapital, facilities, and debt sits +18 pts vs county average | Mixed proposal movementOperating +$179,006; cost line +$720; General current +$1.9M | Pull State-aid notices, levy worksheet, fund-balance notes, source-row proof sections, and tax-impact materials.Ask whether the source-family signal is a current revenue scale issue, a peer gap, a real movement, or a proposal-column move.Block Do not read General Fund operating source rows as all-funds revenue, taxpayer burden, or proof of cause without local records. | Open report |
| Pittsgrove TwpSalem County | Check students and service loadIs a per-student comparison really about denominator, placements, or student need? | Student/service familyDo charter/Renaissance transfers, tuition, or purchased placements change the budget story? | $18,777#493 NJ / #10 county; real -$1,165 | One-time support; Outside-operating scale; Side-file context40% local / 51% state; 2% transfers; 2% placement load | Real movementFund balance and reserves moved +$4.6M since 2019-20Proposal moveCapital, facilities, and debt changes -$1.7M in the latest fileCurrent scaleState aid represents 59% of operating scalePeer gapTransfers and tuition sits -18 pts vs county average | Transfer proposal increaseOperating +$1.2M; cost line +$285; General current +$1.1M | Pull Tuition and placement schedules, preschool aid records, service-load rows, contracts, and source-row proof sections.Ask whether transfers, tuition, preschool, or special-education/support rows explain the comparison frame.Block Do not treat source-family rows as audited service counts, quality, adequacy, or a complete program ledger. | Open report |
| Quinton TwpSalem County | Check students and service loadIs a per-student comparison really about denominator, placements, or student need? | Student/service familyIs preschool aid, carryover, instruction, or support service scale material? | $21,791#304 NJ / #5 county; real +$1,612 | Placement load; One-time support; Side-file context47% local / 44% state; <1% transfers; 16% placement load | Real movementPreschool moved +$1.9M since 2019-20Proposal moveLocal taxes and local sources changes +$723,681 in the latest fileCurrent scaleState aid represents 54% of operating scalePeer gapCapital, facilities, and debt sits -5 pts vs county average | Proposed comparative cost increaseOperating +$646,796; cost line +$1,851; General current +$656,056 | Pull Tuition and placement schedules, preschool aid records, service-load rows, contracts, and source-row proof sections.Ask whether transfers, tuition, preschool, or special-education/support rows explain the comparison frame.Block Do not treat source-family rows as audited service counts, quality, adequacy, or a complete program ledger. | Open report |
| Salem CitySalem County | Check tax burdenIs the local burden about levy per student, estimated rate, tax base, or regional tax slices? | Tax effort and tax baseIs the local burden story about rate, levy per student, tax base, or regional slices? | $20,746#372 NJ / #9 county; real -$142 | State-funded; School-based budgeting; Placement load14% local / 85% state; <1% transfers; 5% placement load | Current scaleState aid represents 106% of operating scale | Proposed comparative cost decreaseOperating -$2.4M; cost line -$3,444; General current -$2.3M | Pull Tax-rate side file, levy worksheet, municipal/regional slices, valuation notes, and budget tax-impact materials.Ask Separate levy per student, estimated rate, equalized value, and regional allocation before writing burden.Block Do not present estimated UFB tax-rate rows as tax-bill advice or audited property-tax data. | Open report |
| Salem Co Special ServiceSalem County | Compare cost positionIs the district expensive, or just in a high-cost peer group? | Cost positionWhy does this district sit high on the published comparative-cost line? | $63,018#5 NJ / #1 county; real +$1,857 | High comparative cost; Locally funded; Side-file context100% local / n/a state; 0% transfers; 0% placement load | Real movementOther named rows moved +$3.0M since 2019-20Proposal moveSpecial revenue funds changes +$2.9M in the latest fileCurrent scaleTransfers and tuition represents 99% of operating scale | Proposed comparative cost decreaseOperating +$347,341; cost line -$18,817; General current +$429,841 | Pull Budget presentation, adopted budget book, staffing/program notes, and local peer reports.Ask whether county, scale, grade span, placements, transfers, or side files explain the rank.Block Do not turn comparative cost into waste, quality, or adequacy by itself. | Open report |
| Salem County VocationalSalem County | Read the current proposalWhat changes now in the proposed column before the long-run trend is interpreted? | Current proposal changeWhat does the latest proposed budget column change right now? | $22,556#253 NJ / #3 county; real +$5,247 | Rising real cost; Side-file context32% local / 68% state; 0% transfers; 0% placement load | Proposal moveCapital, facilities, and debt changes -$1.1M in the latest fileCurrent scaleState aid represents 68% of operating scalePeer gapInstruction programs sits +28 pts vs county average | Proposed comparative cost increaseOperating +$590,167; cost line +$5,552; General current +$1.4M | Pull Proposed budget, revised/current column support, adoption minutes, budget hearing deck, and district FAQ.Ask what is recurring, one-time, grant-funded, enrollment-driven, negotiated, or reclassified.Block Do not treat nominal proposal movement as an audited result or inflation-adjusted trend. | Open report |
| Upper Pittsgrove TwpSalem County | Check students and service loadIs a per-student comparison really about denominator, placements, or student need? | Student/service familyIs preschool aid, carryover, instruction, or support service scale material? | $17,588#536 NJ / #12 county; real -$4,172 | Placement load; One-time support; Outside-operating scale59% local / 34% state; 1% transfers; 24% placement load | Real movementPreschool moved +$2.6M since 2019-20Proposal moveFederal grants changes -$673,352 in the latest fileCurrent scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 61% of operating scale | Proposed comparative cost decreaseOperating +$20,134; cost line -$1,760; Benefits +$260,287 | Pull Tuition and placement schedules, preschool aid records, service-load rows, contracts, and source-row proof sections.Ask whether transfers, tuition, preschool, or special-education/support rows explain the comparison frame.Block Do not treat source-family rows as audited service counts, quality, adequacy, or a complete program ledger. | Open report |
| Woodstown-Pilesgrove RegSalem County | Check students and service loadIs a per-student comparison really about denominator, placements, or student need? | Student/service familyIs preschool aid, carryover, instruction, or support service scale material? | $18,776#494 NJ / #11 county; real +$950 | Placement load; One-time support; Side-file context61% local / 32% state; 1% transfers; 5% placement load | Real movementPreschool moved +$6.0M since 2019-20Proposal moveFederal grants changes -$1.9M in the latest fileCurrent scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 53% of operating scalePeer gapState aid sits -11 pts vs county average | Mixed proposal movementOperating +$1.8M; cost line +$1,186; General current +$1.3M | Pull Tuition and placement schedules, preschool aid records, service-load rows, contracts, and source-row proof sections.Ask whether transfers, tuition, preschool, or special-education/support rows explain the comparison frame.Block Do not treat source-family rows as audited service counts, quality, adequacy, or a complete program ledger. | Open report |
| Bedminster TwpSomerset County | Test one-time supportIs the budget leaning on fund balance, reserve withdrawals, or carryover that must be checked for recurrence? | Fund balance/reserve familyIs the district leaning on fund balance, capital reserve, maintenance reserve, or similar one-time sources? | $32,329#36 NJ / #2 county; real +$3,989 | High comparative cost; Rising real cost; Locally funded86% local / 6% state; 0% transfers; 56% placement load | Proposal moveFund balance and reserves changes -$6.4M in the latest fileCurrent scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 86% of operating scalePeer gapState aid sits -15 pts vs county average | Proposed comparative cost increaseOperating -$2.8M; cost line +$1,608; Capital outlay -$3.4M | Pull Fund-balance appropriation notes, reserve withdrawal rows, recap schedules, board minutes, and audit or ACFR schedules.Ask whether the fund-balance or reserve row is recurring support, a one-year bridge, restricted, or paired with close-year balances.Block Do not call planned source-family rows audited cash stress, recurring revenue, or a structural deficit by themselves. | Open report |
| Bernards TwpSomerset County | Check tax burdenIs the local burden about levy per student, estimated rate, tax base, or regional tax slices? | Tax effort and tax baseIs the local burden story about rate, levy per student, tax base, or regional slices? | $22,790#243 NJ / #13 county; real +$716 | Locally funded; One-time support; Side-file context83% local / 10% state; 0% transfers; 1% placement load | Proposal moveEmployee benefits changes +$4.0M in the latest fileCurrent scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 87% of operating scale | Benefits drive proposed useOperating +$3.5M; cost line +$632; Benefits +$4.0M | Pull Tax-rate side file, levy worksheet, municipal/regional slices, valuation notes, and budget tax-impact materials.Ask Separate levy per student, estimated rate, equalized value, and regional allocation before writing burden.Block Do not present estimated UFB tax-rate rows as tax-bill advice or audited property-tax data. | Open report |
| Bound Brook BoroSomerset County | Follow operating fundingDid the budget move toward local levy, state aid, federal revenue, or fund balance? | Operating funding familyHow much of the budget story is local levy, tuition, fees, or miscellaneous local revenue? | $22,150#276 NJ / #15 county; real +$4,723 | Rising real cost; One-time support; Side-file context31% local / 64% state; 1% transfers; 2% placement load | Proposal moveSpecial revenue funds changes -$2.0M in the latest fileCurrent scaleState aid represents 67% of operating scalePeer gapLocal taxes and local sources sits -47 pts vs county average | State revenue drives proposalOperating +$2.8M; cost line +$273; General current +$3.6M | Pull State-aid notices, levy worksheet, fund-balance notes, source-row proof sections, and tax-impact materials.Ask whether the source-family signal is a current revenue scale issue, a peer gap, a real movement, or a proposal-column move.Block Do not read General Fund operating source rows as all-funds revenue, taxpayer burden, or proof of cause without local records. | Open report |
| Branchburg TwpSomerset County | Check students and service loadIs a per-student comparison really about denominator, placements, or student need? | Student and service loadIs the budget story really about who the district budgets to serve, send, or receive? | $25,585#117 NJ / #7 county; real +$313 | Locally funded; High tax effort; Placement load86% local / 8% state; <1% transfers; 45% placement load | Proposal moveCapital, facilities, and debt changes -$4.8M in the latest fileCurrent scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 89% of operating scale | Mixed proposal movementOperating -$475,097; cost line +$563; Capital outlay -$2.6M | Pull Budget-enrollment assumptions, placement counts, tuition agreements, special-services records, and receiving-district context.Ask who the district budgets to serve, send, or receive before quoting per-student costs.Block Do not treat UFB planning rows as audited fall enrollment or service quality. | Open report |
| Bridgewater-Raritan RegSomerset County | Read side-file contextWhich balances, reserves, unusual items, shared services, or listed roles change the story? | Balances and reservesDoes the close-year cushion change the budget interpretation? | $21,994#286 NJ / #16 county; real +$537 | Locally funded; Side-file context89% local / 9% state; <1% transfers; 3% placement load | Proposal moveCapital, facilities, and debt changes -$6.0M in the latest fileCurrent scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 93% of operating scale | Mixed proposal movementOperating +$1.7M; cost line +$715; Benefits +$3.9M | Pull Recap balance rows, audit or ACFR reserve schedules, board reserve actions, and budget notes.Ask what is restricted, recurring, planned drawdown, cushion, or close-year projection.Block Do not read recap balances as current operating appropriations or spendable cash. | Open report |
| Franklin TwpSomerset County | Explain categoriesWhich spending or revenue family makes the budget look different? | Budget model and use structureWhich budget model explains why the district should not be compared only by one cost rank? | $23,761#186 NJ / #11 county; real +$522 | Locally funded; Charter/Renaissance transfers; Side-file context87% local / 11% state; 10% transfers; 3% placement load | Real movementPreschool moved +$14.9M since 2019-20Current scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 90% of operating scale | Tax levy drives proposalOperating +$12.4M; cost line +$1,501; General current +$13.5M | Pull Line-item budget, tuition/transfer schedules, school-resource statements, grant/debt schedules, and contracts.Ask whether transfers, school-based allocations, special revenue, debt, or capital rows drive the comparison.Block Do not add nested or outside-operating rows into one spending total. | Open report |
| Green Brook TwpSomerset County | Check students and service loadIs a per-student comparison really about denominator, placements, or student need? | Student/service familyDo charter/Renaissance transfers, tuition, or purchased placements change the budget story? | $25,959#106 NJ / #4 county; real +$2,918 | Locally funded; High tax effort; Placement load83% local / 7% state; <1% transfers; 52% placement load | Real movementFund balance and reserves moved +$3.4M since 2019-20Current scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 87% of operating scalePeer gapTransfers and tuition sits +17 pts vs county average | Mixed proposal movementOperating +$1.2M; cost line +$1,345; General current +$1.2M | Pull Tuition and placement schedules, preschool aid records, service-load rows, contracts, and source-row proof sections.Ask whether transfers, tuition, preschool, or special-education/support rows explain the comparison frame.Block Do not treat source-family rows as audited service counts, quality, adequacy, or a complete program ledger. | Open report |
| Hillsborough TwpSomerset County | Separate outside-operating moneyIs the story about grants, special revenue, capital, facilities, or debt rather than recurring operating spending? | Outside-operating familyAre capital projects, facilities acquisition, reserve withdrawals, or debt-service rows distorting all-funds comparisons? | $19,197#474 NJ / #18 county; real -$123 | Locally funded; Outside-operating scale; Side-file context85% local / 11% state; <1% transfers; 1% placement load | Real movementCapital, facilities, and debt moved +$31.0M since 2019-20Current scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 86% of operating scale | Tax levy drives proposalOperating +$22.2M; cost line +$1,347; General current +$11.3M | Pull Grant schedules, capital/debt schedules, line-item budget, source-row proof sections, and project or bond records.Ask whether the signal belongs to grants, capital, facilities, or debt before reading it as recurring operating spending.Block Do not add outside-operating source-family rows into one operating total or treat them as ordinary classroom spending. | Open report |
| Manville BoroSomerset County | Separate outside-operating moneyIs the story about grants, special revenue, capital, facilities, or debt rather than recurring operating spending? | Outside-operating familyAre capital projects, facilities acquisition, reserve withdrawals, or debt-service rows distorting all-funds comparisons? | $25,845#110 NJ / #6 county; real +$7,582 | Rising real cost; Placement load; One-time support35% local / 60% state; <1% transfers; 8% placement load | Proposal moveCapital, facilities, and debt changes -$7.3M in the latest fileCurrent scaleState aid represents 71% of operating scale | Proposed comparative cost increaseOperating -$744,187; cost line +$1,740; Capital outlay -$4.2M | Pull Grant schedules, capital/debt schedules, line-item budget, source-row proof sections, and project or bond records.Ask whether the signal belongs to grants, capital, facilities, or debt before reading it as recurring operating spending.Block Do not add outside-operating source-family rows into one operating total or treat them as ordinary classroom spending. | Open report |
| Montgomery TwpSomerset County | Check tax burdenIs the local burden about levy per student, estimated rate, tax base, or regional tax slices? | Tax effort and tax baseIs the local burden story about rate, levy per student, tax base, or regional slices? | $22,203#272 NJ / #14 county; real +$242 | Locally funded; One-time support; Side-file context84% local / 9% state; <1% transfers; 1% placement load | Proposal moveFund balance and reserves changes +$3.4M in the latest fileCurrent scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 88% of operating scale | Mixed proposal movementOperating +$4.6M; cost line +$613; General current +$3.5M | Pull Tax-rate side file, levy worksheet, municipal/regional slices, valuation notes, and budget tax-impact materials.Ask Separate levy per student, estimated rate, equalized value, and regional allocation before writing burden.Block Do not present estimated UFB tax-rate rows as tax-bill advice or audited property-tax data. | Open report |
| North Plainfield BoroSomerset County | Follow operating fundingDid the budget move toward local levy, state aid, federal revenue, or fund balance? | Funding model shiftDid the district move toward local levy, state aid, federal revenue, or fund balance? | $24,238#166 NJ / #10 county; real +$3,304 | Placement load; One-time support; Outside-operating scale30% local / 63% state; 3% transfers; 7% placement load | Proposal moveOther named rows changes -$6.6M in the latest fileCurrent scaleState aid represents 68% of operating scale | Fund-balance proposal shiftOperating +$4.8M; cost line +$1,558; General current +$5.8M | Pull State-aid notices, levy worksheet, fund-balance notes, tax-impact slides, and budget presentation.Ask whether formula aid, levy-cap behavior, tax base, or fund balance changed who pays.Block Do not read General Fund operating mix as all-funds revenue or a household tax bill. | Open report |
| Somerset Co Ed Serv CommSomerset County | Read the current proposalWhat changes now in the proposed column before the long-run trend is interpreted? | Current proposal changeWhat does the latest proposed budget column change right now? | n/an/a NJ / n/a county; real n/a | Locally funded; Side-file context96% local / n/a state; 0% transfers; 0% placement load | Current scaleTransportation represents 142% of operating scale | UFB denominator movesOperating +$12.7M; cost line n/a; General current +$10.5M | Pull Proposed budget, revised/current column support, adoption minutes, budget hearing deck, and district FAQ.Ask what is recurring, one-time, grant-funded, enrollment-driven, negotiated, or reclassified.Block Do not treat nominal proposal movement as an audited result or inflation-adjusted trend. | Open report |
| Somerset Co VocationalSomerset County | Compare cost positionIs the district expensive, or just in a high-cost peer group? | Cost positionWhy does this district sit high on the published comparative-cost line? | $32,638#30 NJ / #1 county; real -$8,649 | High comparative cost; Locally funded; High tax effort88% local / 8% state; 0% transfers; 0% placement load | Current scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 160% of operating scale | Proposed comparative cost increaseOperating +$1.6M; cost line +$1,601; General current +$1.6M | Pull Budget presentation, adopted budget book, staffing/program notes, and local peer reports.Ask whether county, scale, grade span, placements, transfers, or side files explain the rank.Block Do not turn comparative cost into waste, quality, or adequacy by itself. | Open report |
| Somerset Hills RegionalSomerset County | Follow operating fundingDid the budget move toward local levy, state aid, federal revenue, or fund balance? | Operating funding familyWhich aid lines explain dependence on state funding or first-to-latest movement? | $25,909#107 NJ / #5 county; real +$2,889 | Locally funded; One-time support; Side-file context87% local / 5% state; 0% transfers; 3% placement load | Current scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 83% of operating scalePeer gapState aid sits -14 pts vs county average | Mixed proposal movementOperating +$1.3M; cost line +$739; General current +$1.7M | Pull State-aid notices, levy worksheet, fund-balance notes, source-row proof sections, and tax-impact materials.Ask whether the source-family signal is a current revenue scale issue, a peer gap, a real movement, or a proposal-column move.Block Do not read General Fund operating source rows as all-funds revenue, taxpayer burden, or proof of cause without local records. | Open report |
| Somerville BoroSomerset County | Separate outside-operating moneyIs the story about grants, special revenue, capital, facilities, or debt rather than recurring operating spending? | Outside-operating familyAre capital projects, facilities acquisition, reserve withdrawals, or debt-service rows distorting all-funds comparisons? | $23,509#199 NJ / #12 county; real +$1,974 | One-time support; Side-file context74% local / 19% state; <1% transfers; 1% placement load | Proposal moveCapital, facilities, and debt changes -$8.5M in the latest fileReal movementTransfers and tuition moved -$2.0M since 2019-20Current scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 54% of operating scale | Capital proposal decreaseOperating -$3.6M; cost line +$726; Capital outlay -$4.8M | Pull Grant schedules, capital/debt schedules, line-item budget, source-row proof sections, and project or bond records.Ask whether the signal belongs to grants, capital, facilities, or debt before reading it as recurring operating spending.Block Do not add outside-operating source-family rows into one operating total or treat them as ordinary classroom spending. | Open report |
| South Bound BrookSomerset County | Follow operating fundingDid the budget move toward local levy, state aid, federal revenue, or fund balance? | Operating funding familyWhich aid lines explain dependence on state funding or first-to-latest movement? | $20,615#380 NJ / #17 county; real +$3,287 | Placement load; One-time support; Side-file context46% local / 42% state; 1% transfers; 33% placement load | Real movementState aid moved +$2.3M since 2019-20Proposal moveTransfers and tuition changes +$405,212 in the latest fileCurrent scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 46% of operating scale | Mixed proposal movementOperating +$633,298; cost line -$1,041; General current +$616,382 | Pull State-aid notices, levy worksheet, fund-balance notes, source-row proof sections, and tax-impact materials.Ask whether the source-family signal is a current revenue scale issue, a peer gap, a real movement, or a proposal-column move.Block Do not read General Fund operating source rows as all-funds revenue, taxpayer burden, or proof of cause without local records. | Open report |
| Warren TwpSomerset County | Compare cost positionIs the district expensive, or just in a high-cost peer group? | Cost positionWhy does this district sit high on the published comparative-cost line? | $29,097#55 NJ / #3 county; real -$2,180 | High comparative cost; Locally funded; High tax effort91% local / 6% state; 0% transfers; 1% placement load | Real movementCapital, facilities, and debt moved +$3.0M since 2019-20Current scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 90% of operating scale | Mixed proposal movementOperating +$2.7M; cost line +$550; General current +$1.5M | Pull Budget presentation, adopted budget book, staffing/program notes, and local peer reports.Ask whether county, scale, grade span, placements, transfers, or side files explain the rank.Block Do not turn comparative cost into waste, quality, or adequacy by itself. | Open report |
| Watchung BoroSomerset County | Test one-time supportIs the budget leaning on fund balance, reserve withdrawals, or carryover that must be checked for recurrence? | One-time supportIs the budget using fund balance, reserve, or carryover support that needs a recurrence check? | $24,712#146 NJ / #9 county; real +$1,743 | Locally funded; One-time support; Side-file context84% local / 9% state; 0% transfers; 0% placement load | Current scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 87% of operating scale | Mixed proposal movementOperating +$1.1M; cost line +$1,536; General current +$1.1M | Pull Fund-balance appropriation notes, reserve withdrawal rows, board minutes, and audit or ACFR schedules.Ask whether the source recurs, replaces aid or levy, bridges a one-year plan, or draws restricted reserves.Block Do not call planned source rows audited cash stress or recurring operating revenue. | Open report |
| Watchung Hills RegionalSomerset County | Follow operating fundingDid the budget move toward local levy, state aid, federal revenue, or fund balance? | Operating funding familyWhich aid lines explain dependence on state funding or first-to-latest movement? | $25,285#126 NJ / #8 county; real +$2,226 | Locally funded; Outside-operating scale; Side-file context91% local / 6% state; 0% transfers; 4% placement load | Current scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 80% of operating scalePeer gapState aid sits -14 pts vs county average | Mixed proposal movementOperating +$1.6M; cost line +$815; General current +$1.7M | Pull State-aid notices, levy worksheet, fund-balance notes, source-row proof sections, and tax-impact materials.Ask whether the source-family signal is a current revenue scale issue, a peer gap, a real movement, or a proposal-column move.Block Do not read General Fund operating source rows as all-funds revenue, taxpayer burden, or proof of cause without local records. | Open report |
| Andover RegSussex County | Separate outside-operating moneyIs the story about grants, special revenue, capital, facilities, or debt rather than recurring operating spending? | Outside-operating familyAre capital projects, facilities acquisition, reserve withdrawals, or debt-service rows distorting all-funds comparisons? | $28,925#57 NJ / #3 county; real +$314 | High comparative cost; Locally funded; High tax effort79% local / 7% state; 1% transfers; 42% placement load | Real movementCapital, facilities, and debt moved -$3.8M since 2019-20Current scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 81% of operating scalePeer gapTransfers and tuition sits +18 pts vs county average | Proposed comparative cost increaseOperating +$1.2M; cost line +$3,428; General current +$2.6M | Pull Grant schedules, capital/debt schedules, line-item budget, source-row proof sections, and project or bond records.Ask whether the signal belongs to grants, capital, facilities, or debt before reading it as recurring operating spending.Block Do not add outside-operating source-family rows into one operating total or treat them as ordinary classroom spending. | Open report |
| Byram TwpSussex County | Check students and service loadIs a per-student comparison really about denominator, placements, or student need? | Student/service familyIs preschool aid, carryover, instruction, or support service scale material? | $20,310#404 NJ / #24 county; real -$823 | Locally funded; One-time support; Side-file context80% local / 15% state; 1% transfers; 1% placement load | Real movementCapital, facilities, and debt moved -$2.0M since 2019-20Current scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 79% of operating scalePeer gapPreschool sits -25 pts vs county average | Transfer proposal increaseOperating -$147,858; cost line +$1,294; Capital outlay -$775,980 | Pull Tuition and placement schedules, preschool aid records, service-load rows, contracts, and source-row proof sections.Ask whether transfers, tuition, preschool, or special-education/support rows explain the comparison frame.Block Do not treat source-family rows as audited service counts, quality, adequacy, or a complete program ledger. | Open report |
| Frankford TwpSussex County | Check students and service loadIs a per-student comparison really about denominator, placements, or student need? | Student/service familyIs preschool aid, carryover, instruction, or support service scale material? | $21,306#338 NJ / #21 county; real -$2,711 | Locally funded; Side-file context91% local / 8% state; 1% transfers; <1% placement load | Real movementState aid moved -$1.2M since 2019-20Proposal moveCapital, facilities, and debt changes -$665,188 in the latest fileCurrent scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 90% of operating scalePeer gapPreschool sits -25 pts vs county average | Mixed proposal movementOperating +$81,117; cost line +$337; General current +$398,636 | Pull Tuition and placement schedules, preschool aid records, service-load rows, contracts, and source-row proof sections.Ask whether transfers, tuition, preschool, or special-education/support rows explain the comparison frame.Block Do not treat source-family rows as audited service counts, quality, adequacy, or a complete program ledger. | Open report |
| Franklin BoroSussex County | Separate outside-operating moneyIs the story about grants, special revenue, capital, facilities, or debt rather than recurring operating spending? | Outside-operating familyAre capital projects, facilities acquisition, reserve withdrawals, or debt-service rows distorting all-funds comparisons? | $22,622#250 NJ / #15 county; real -$3,652 | County peer baseline58% local / 38% state; 1% transfers; 0% placement load | Real movementCapital, facilities, and debt moved -$2.3M since 2019-20Current scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 56% of operating scalePeer gapState aid sits +23 pts vs county average | Mixed proposal movementOperating +$169,882; cost line +$594; General current +$675,293 | Pull Grant schedules, capital/debt schedules, line-item budget, source-row proof sections, and project or bond records.Ask whether the signal belongs to grants, capital, facilities, or debt before reading it as recurring operating spending.Block Do not add outside-operating source-family rows into one operating total or treat them as ordinary classroom spending. | Open report |
| Fredon TwpSussex County | Separate outside-operating moneyIs the story about grants, special revenue, capital, facilities, or debt rather than recurring operating spending? | Outside-operating familyHow large are grant-funded or otherwise outside-operating programs relative to operating budgets? | $23,254#213 NJ / #13 county; real -$3,513 | Locally funded; One-time support; Side-file context85% local / 6% state; 1% transfers; 0% placement load | Real movementSpecial revenue funds moved +$1.1M since 2019-20Current scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 90% of operating scalePeer gapCapital, facilities, and debt sits +18 pts vs county average | Benefits drive proposed useOperating +$351,965; cost line +$215; Benefits +$214,544 | Pull Grant schedules, capital/debt schedules, line-item budget, source-row proof sections, and project or bond records.Ask whether the signal belongs to grants, capital, facilities, or debt before reading it as recurring operating spending.Block Do not add outside-operating source-family rows into one operating total or treat them as ordinary classroom spending. | Open report |
| Green TwpSussex County | Check students and service loadIs a per-student comparison really about denominator, placements, or student need? | Student/service familyDo charter/Renaissance transfers, tuition, or purchased placements change the budget story? | $22,045#282 NJ / #16 county; real -$1,527 | Locally funded; Placement load; Side-file context82% local / 14% state; <1% transfers; 31% placement load | Real movementTransfers and tuition moved -$1.9M since 2019-20Proposal moveCapital, facilities, and debt changes -$321,549 in the latest fileCurrent scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 83% of operating scalePeer gapPreschool sits -25 pts vs county average | Mixed proposal movementOperating -$11,841; cost line +$368; Capital outlay -$165,580 | Pull Tuition and placement schedules, preschool aid records, service-load rows, contracts, and source-row proof sections.Ask whether transfers, tuition, preschool, or special-education/support rows explain the comparison frame.Block Do not treat source-family rows as audited service counts, quality, adequacy, or a complete program ledger. | Open report |
| Hamburg BoroSussex County | Compare cost positionIs the district expensive, or just in a high-cost peer group? | Cost positionWhy does this district sit high on the published comparative-cost line? | $32,606#31 NJ / #1 county; real +$3,172 | High comparative cost; One-time support; Side-file context73% local / 15% state; 2% transfers; 1% placement load | Real movementSpecial revenue funds moved +$1.5M since 2019-20Proposal moveFederal grants changes -$461,139 in the latest fileCurrent scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 75% of operating scalePeer gapFund balance and reserves sits +6 pts vs county average | Proposed comparative cost increaseOperating +$15,771; cost line +$1,693; General current +$317,152 | Pull Budget presentation, adopted budget book, staffing/program notes, and local peer reports.Ask whether county, scale, grade span, placements, transfers, or side files explain the rank.Block Do not turn comparative cost into waste, quality, or adequacy by itself. | Open report |
| Hampton TwpSussex County | Read the current proposalWhat changes now in the proposed column before the long-run trend is interpreted? | Current proposal changeWhat does the latest proposed budget column change right now? | $23,745#189 NJ / #12 county; real -$2,546 | Locally funded; Outside-operating scale; Side-file context86% local / 9% state; 1% transfers; 4% placement load | Proposal moveFund balance and reserves changes -$2.6M in the latest fileCurrent scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 86% of operating scalePeer gapSpecial revenue funds sits +13 pts vs county average | Transfer proposal increaseOperating -$1.2M; cost line -$1,218; Capital outlay -$1.4M | Pull Proposed budget, revised/current column support, adoption minutes, budget hearing deck, and district FAQ.Ask what is recurring, one-time, grant-funded, enrollment-driven, negotiated, or reclassified.Block Do not treat nominal proposal movement as an audited result or inflation-adjusted trend. | Open report |
| Hardyston TwpSussex County | Separate outside-operating moneyIs the story about grants, special revenue, capital, facilities, or debt rather than recurring operating spending? | Outside-operating familyHow large are grant-funded or otherwise outside-operating programs relative to operating budgets? | $21,165#348 NJ / #22 county; real +$2,170 | Locally funded; One-time support; Side-file context82% local / 12% state; 1% transfers; <1% placement load | Real movementSpecial revenue funds moved +$2.7M since 2019-20Proposal movePreschool changes +$911,251 in the latest fileCurrent scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 88% of operating scale | Mixed proposal movementOperating +$96,161; cost line +$451; General current +$805,312 | Pull Grant schedules, capital/debt schedules, line-item budget, source-row proof sections, and project or bond records.Ask whether the signal belongs to grants, capital, facilities, or debt before reading it as recurring operating spending.Block Do not add outside-operating source-family rows into one operating total or treat them as ordinary classroom spending. | Open report |
| High Point RegionalSussex County | Follow operating fundingDid the budget move toward local levy, state aid, federal revenue, or fund balance? | Operating funding familyWhich aid lines explain dependence on state funding or first-to-latest movement? | $25,278#128 NJ / #6 county; real -$982 | Locally funded; Side-file context80% local / 16% state; 0% transfers; 3% placement load | Real movementState aid moved -$3.5M since 2019-20Current scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 75% of operating scalePeer gapPreschool sits -25 pts vs county average | Mixed proposal movementOperating +$385,313; cost line +$603; Benefits +$516,346 | Pull State-aid notices, levy worksheet, fund-balance notes, source-row proof sections, and tax-impact materials.Ask whether the source-family signal is a current revenue scale issue, a peer gap, a real movement, or a proposal-column move.Block Do not read General Fund operating source rows as all-funds revenue, taxpayer burden, or proof of cause without local records. | Open report |
| HopatcongSussex County | Separate outside-operating moneyIs the story about grants, special revenue, capital, facilities, or debt rather than recurring operating spending? | Outside-operating familyAre capital projects, facilities acquisition, reserve withdrawals, or debt-service rows distorting all-funds comparisons? | $22,040#283 NJ / #17 county; real -$4,586 | Locally funded; Placement load; Side-file context87% local / 9% state; 2% transfers; 9% placement load | Current scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 84% of operating scalePeer gapCapital, facilities, and debt sits +10 pts vs county average | Transfer proposal increaseOperating +$1.4M; cost line -$304; Capital outlay +$1.3M | Pull Grant schedules, capital/debt schedules, line-item budget, source-row proof sections, and project or bond records.Ask whether the signal belongs to grants, capital, facilities, or debt before reading it as recurring operating spending.Block Do not add outside-operating source-family rows into one operating total or treat them as ordinary classroom spending. | Open report |
| Kittatinny RegionalSussex County | Follow operating fundingDid the budget move toward local levy, state aid, federal revenue, or fund balance? | Operating funding familyWhich aid lines explain dependence on state funding or first-to-latest movement? | $27,113#79 NJ / #4 county; real +$571 | Locally funded; Side-file context87% local / 10% state; 1% transfers; <1% placement load | Real movementState aid moved -$4.8M since 2019-20Proposal moveOther named rows changes -$717,692 in the latest fileCurrent scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 86% of operating scalePeer gapPreschool sits -25 pts vs county average | Mixed proposal movementOperating +$104,216; cost line +$1,085; General current +$221,515 | Pull State-aid notices, levy worksheet, fund-balance notes, source-row proof sections, and tax-impact materials.Ask whether the source-family signal is a current revenue scale issue, a peer gap, a real movement, or a proposal-column move.Block Do not read General Fund operating source rows as all-funds revenue, taxpayer burden, or proof of cause without local records. | Open report |
| Lafayette TwpSussex County | Separate outside-operating moneyIs the story about grants, special revenue, capital, facilities, or debt rather than recurring operating spending? | Outside-operating familyHow large are grant-funded or otherwise outside-operating programs relative to operating budgets? | $24,033#178 NJ / #11 county; real -$2,603 | Locally funded82% local / 16% state; 0% transfers; <1% placement load | Real movementSpecial revenue funds moved +$1.2M since 2019-20Proposal moveFund balance and reserves changes -$912,965 in the latest fileCurrent scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 82% of operating scalePeer gapTransfers and tuition sits -9 pts vs county average | Capital proposal decreaseOperating -$299,587; cost line +$1,062; Capital outlay -$481,450 | Pull Grant schedules, capital/debt schedules, line-item budget, source-row proof sections, and project or bond records.Ask whether the signal belongs to grants, capital, facilities, or debt before reading it as recurring operating spending.Block Do not add outside-operating source-family rows into one operating total or treat them as ordinary classroom spending. | Open report |
| Lenape Valley RegionalSussex County | Separate outside-operating moneyIs the story about grants, special revenue, capital, facilities, or debt rather than recurring operating spending? | Outside-operating familyAre capital projects, facilities acquisition, reserve withdrawals, or debt-service rows distorting all-funds comparisons? | $25,722#113 NJ / #5 county; real +$698 | Side-file context63% local / 34% state; 0% transfers; 2% placement load | Real movementCapital, facilities, and debt moved -$3.5M since 2019-20Current scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 62% of operating scalePeer gapPreschool sits -25 pts vs county average | Mixed proposal movementOperating +$884,773; cost line +$897; General current +$550,773 | Pull Grant schedules, capital/debt schedules, line-item budget, source-row proof sections, and project or bond records.Ask whether the signal belongs to grants, capital, facilities, or debt before reading it as recurring operating spending.Block Do not add outside-operating source-family rows into one operating total or treat them as ordinary classroom spending. | Open report |
| Montague TwpSussex County | Read the current proposalWhat changes now in the proposed column before the long-run trend is interpreted? | Current proposal changeWhat does the latest proposed budget column change right now? | $24,861#141 NJ / #7 county; real +$3,178 | Placement load; One-time support; Side-file context71% local / 24% state; 1% transfers; 25% placement load | Proposal moveCapital, facilities, and debt changes -$4.8M in the latest fileReal movementSpecial revenue funds moved +$2.2M since 2019-20Current scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 70% of operating scalePeer gapTransfers and tuition sits +10 pts vs county average | Tax levy drives proposalOperating -$1.2M; cost line +$1,385; Capital outlay -$2.4M | Pull Proposed budget, revised/current column support, adoption minutes, budget hearing deck, and district FAQ.Ask what is recurring, one-time, grant-funded, enrollment-driven, negotiated, or reclassified.Block Do not treat nominal proposal movement as an audited result or inflation-adjusted trend. | Open report |
| Newton TownSussex County | Follow operating fundingDid the budget move toward local levy, state aid, federal revenue, or fund balance? | Operating funding familyHow much of the budget story is local levy, tuition, fees, or miscellaneous local revenue? | $24,486#158 NJ / #8 county; real +$2,893 | Placement load55% local / 42% state; 2% transfers; 6% placement load | Proposal moveCapital, facilities, and debt changes -$1.5M in the latest fileCurrent scaleState aid represents 48% of operating scalePeer gapLocal taxes and local sources sits -37 pts vs county average | Mixed proposal movementOperating +$318,318; cost line +$1,004; General current +$1.1M | Pull State-aid notices, levy worksheet, fund-balance notes, source-row proof sections, and tax-impact materials.Ask whether the source-family signal is a current revenue scale issue, a peer gap, a real movement, or a proposal-column move.Block Do not read General Fund operating source rows as all-funds revenue, taxpayer burden, or proof of cause without local records. | Open report |
| Ogdensburg BoroSussex County | Check students and service loadIs a per-student comparison really about denominator, placements, or student need? | Student/service familyIs preschool aid, carryover, instruction, or support service scale material? | $20,416#393 NJ / #23 county; real -$2,774 | One-time support; Outside-operating scale; Side-file context51% local / 42% state; 2% transfers; 0% placement load | Real movementPreschool moved +$807,477 since 2019-20Proposal moveInstruction programs changes +$155,135 in the latest fileCurrent scaleState aid represents 59% of operating scale | Transfer proposal increaseOperating +$362,338; cost line -$212; General current +$366,616 | Pull Tuition and placement schedules, preschool aid records, service-load rows, contracts, and source-row proof sections.Ask whether transfers, tuition, preschool, or special-education/support rows explain the comparison frame.Block Do not treat source-family rows as audited service counts, quality, adequacy, or a complete program ledger. | Open report |
| Sandyston-Walpack TwpSussex County | Read the current proposalWhat changes now in the proposed column before the long-run trend is interpreted? | Current proposal changeWhat does the latest proposed budget column change right now? | $32,538#33 NJ / #2 county; real +$4,802 | High comparative cost; Rising real cost; Placement load66% local / 13% state; 1% transfers; 6% placement load | Real movementSpecial revenue funds moved +$941,771 since 2019-20Proposal movePreschool changes +$618,738 in the latest fileCurrent scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 65% of operating scale | Proposed comparative cost increaseOperating +$182,117; cost line +$5,001; General current +$265,538 | Pull Proposed budget, revised/current column support, adoption minutes, budget hearing deck, and district FAQ.Ask what is recurring, one-time, grant-funded, enrollment-driven, negotiated, or reclassified.Block Do not treat nominal proposal movement as an audited result or inflation-adjusted trend. | Open report |
| Sparta TwpSussex County | Separate outside-operating moneyIs the story about grants, special revenue, capital, facilities, or debt rather than recurring operating spending? | Outside-operating familyAre capital projects, facilities acquisition, reserve withdrawals, or debt-service rows distorting all-funds comparisons? | $21,501#325 NJ / #19 county; real -$1,666 | Locally funded; Side-file context88% local / 9% state; 1% transfers; 1% placement load | Real movementCapital, facilities, and debt moved -$6.4M since 2019-20Proposal movePreschool changes +$3.7M in the latest fileCurrent scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 94% of operating scale | Mixed proposal movementOperating +$2.3M; cost line +$482; General current +$1.9M | Pull Grant schedules, capital/debt schedules, line-item budget, source-row proof sections, and project or bond records.Ask whether the signal belongs to grants, capital, facilities, or debt before reading it as recurring operating spending.Block Do not add outside-operating source-family rows into one operating total or treat them as ordinary classroom spending. | Open report |
| Stanhope BoroSussex County | Separate outside-operating moneyIs the story about grants, special revenue, capital, facilities, or debt rather than recurring operating spending? | Outside-operating familyHow large are grant-funded or otherwise outside-operating programs relative to operating budgets? | $22,869#240 NJ / #14 county; real -$991 | Placement load; One-time support; Outside-operating scale68% local / 19% state; <1% transfers; 9% placement load | Real movementSpecial revenue funds moved +$1.9M since 2019-20Proposal movePreschool changes +$1.3M in the latest fileCurrent scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 67% of operating scalePeer gapCapital, facilities, and debt sits +20 pts vs county average | Proposed comparative cost increaseOperating +$1.1M; cost line +$2,301; Capital outlay +$637,718 | Pull Grant schedules, capital/debt schedules, line-item budget, source-row proof sections, and project or bond records.Ask whether the signal belongs to grants, capital, facilities, or debt before reading it as recurring operating spending.Block Do not add outside-operating source-family rows into one operating total or treat them as ordinary classroom spending. | Open report |
| Stillwater TwpSussex County | Separate outside-operating moneyIs the story about grants, special revenue, capital, facilities, or debt rather than recurring operating spending? | Outside-operating familyHow large are grant-funded or otherwise outside-operating programs relative to operating budgets? | $24,034#177 NJ / #10 county; real -$5,529 | Locally funded; One-time support; Outside-operating scale84% local / 8% state; 2% transfers; <1% placement load | Current scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 83% of operating scalePeer gapSpecial revenue funds sits +15 pts vs county average | Transfer proposal increaseOperating +$445,297; cost line +$307; General current +$488,705 | Pull Grant schedules, capital/debt schedules, line-item budget, source-row proof sections, and project or bond records.Ask whether the signal belongs to grants, capital, facilities, or debt before reading it as recurring operating spending.Block Do not add outside-operating source-family rows into one operating total or treat them as ordinary classroom spending. | Open report |
| Sussex Co Ed Serv CommSussex County | Read the current proposalWhat changes now in the proposed column before the long-run trend is interpreted? | Current proposal changeWhat does the latest proposed budget column change right now? | n/an/a NJ / n/a county; real n/a | Locally funded; Side-file context100% local / n/a state; 0% transfers; 0% placement load | Real movementSpecial education and student supports moved +$985,202 since 2019-20Current scaleTransfers and tuition represents 78% of operating scale | Mixed proposal movementOperating +$1.1M; cost line n/a; General current +$982,985 | Pull Proposed budget, revised/current column support, adoption minutes, budget hearing deck, and district FAQ.Ask what is recurring, one-time, grant-funded, enrollment-driven, negotiated, or reclassified.Block Do not treat nominal proposal movement as an audited result or inflation-adjusted trend. | Open report |
| Sussex County VocationalSussex County | Follow operating fundingDid the budget move toward local levy, state aid, federal revenue, or fund balance? | Operating funding familyHow much of the budget story is local levy, tuition, fees, or miscellaneous local revenue? | $19,238#470 NJ / #25 county; real -$1,942 | Side-file context73% local / 27% state; 0% transfers; 0% placement load | Current scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 114% of operating scale | UFB denominator movesOperating +$890,632; cost line -$724; General current +$878,132 | Pull State-aid notices, levy worksheet, fund-balance notes, source-row proof sections, and tax-impact materials.Ask whether the source-family signal is a current revenue scale issue, a peer gap, a real movement, or a proposal-column move.Block Do not read General Fund operating source rows as all-funds revenue, taxpayer burden, or proof of cause without local records. | Open report |
| Sussex-Wantage RegionalSussex County | Separate outside-operating moneyIs the story about grants, special revenue, capital, facilities, or debt rather than recurring operating spending? | Outside-operating familyHow large are grant-funded or otherwise outside-operating programs relative to operating budgets? | $24,247#165 NJ / #9 county; real -$2,465 | Placement load; One-time support; Outside-operating scale65% local / 27% state; 4% transfers; 6% placement load | Proposal movePreschool changes +$3.3M in the latest fileCurrent scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 65% of operating scalePeer gapSpecial revenue funds sits +18 pts vs county average | Transfer proposal increaseOperating +$1.1M; cost line +$939; General current +$1.3M | Pull Grant schedules, capital/debt schedules, line-item budget, source-row proof sections, and project or bond records.Ask whether the signal belongs to grants, capital, facilities, or debt before reading it as recurring operating spending.Block Do not add outside-operating source-family rows into one operating total or treat them as ordinary classroom spending. | Open report |
| Vernon TwpSussex County | Separate outside-operating moneyIs the story about grants, special revenue, capital, facilities, or debt rather than recurring operating spending? | Outside-operating familyHow large are grant-funded or otherwise outside-operating programs relative to operating budgets? | $21,483#328 NJ / #20 county; real -$3,121 | Side-file context70% local / 26% state; 1% transfers; 2% placement load | Real movementSpecial revenue funds moved +$11.0M since 2019-20Current scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 70% of operating scalePeer gapPreschool sits -8 pts vs county average | Mixed proposal movementOperating -$523,673; cost line -$1,146; Capital outlay -$796,069 | Pull Grant schedules, capital/debt schedules, line-item budget, source-row proof sections, and project or bond records.Ask whether the signal belongs to grants, capital, facilities, or debt before reading it as recurring operating spending.Block Do not add outside-operating source-family rows into one operating total or treat them as ordinary classroom spending. | Open report |
| Wallkill Valley RegionalSussex County | Follow operating fundingDid the budget move toward local levy, state aid, federal revenue, or fund balance? | Operating funding familyWhich aid lines explain dependence on state funding or first-to-latest movement? | $21,854#294 NJ / #18 county; real -$3,386 | Locally funded; Side-file context78% local / 20% state; 0% transfers; 3% placement load | Real movementState aid moved -$2.3M since 2019-20Proposal moveSpecial revenue funds changes -$403,162 in the latest fileCurrent scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 80% of operating scalePeer gapPreschool sits -25 pts vs county average | Mixed proposal movementOperating +$409,989; cost line -$861; General current +$329,932 | Pull State-aid notices, levy worksheet, fund-balance notes, source-row proof sections, and tax-impact materials.Ask whether the source-family signal is a current revenue scale issue, a peer gap, a real movement, or a proposal-column move.Block Do not read General Fund operating source rows as all-funds revenue, taxpayer burden, or proof of cause without local records. | Open report |
| Berkeley Heights TwpUnion County | Read the current proposalWhat changes now in the proposed column before the long-run trend is interpreted? | Current proposal changeWhat does the latest proposed budget column change right now? | $20,984#360 NJ / #9 county; real -$2,417 | Locally funded; Side-file context90% local / 6% state; 0% transfers; 1% placement load | Proposal moveCapital, facilities, and debt changes -$4.6M in the latest fileCurrent scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 81% of operating scalePeer gapState aid sits -29 pts vs county average | Proposed comparative cost decreaseOperating -$2.6M; cost line -$3,187; Capital outlay -$2.3M | Pull Proposed budget, revised/current column support, adoption minutes, budget hearing deck, and district FAQ.Ask what is recurring, one-time, grant-funded, enrollment-driven, negotiated, or reclassified.Block Do not treat nominal proposal movement as an audited result or inflation-adjusted trend. | Open report |
| Clark TwpUnion County | Separate outside-operating moneyIs the story about grants, special revenue, capital, facilities, or debt rather than recurring operating spending? | Outside-operating familyHow large are grant-funded or otherwise outside-operating programs relative to operating budgets? | $17,559#537 NJ / #19 county; real -$407 | Locally funded; One-time support; Side-file context86% local / 7% state; 0% transfers; 1% placement load | Real movementSpecial revenue funds moved +$6.6M since 2019-20Proposal movePreschool changes +$2.9M in the latest fileCurrent scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 84% of operating scale | Mixed proposal movementOperating +$2.7M; cost line +$607; General current +$2.8M | Pull Grant schedules, capital/debt schedules, line-item budget, source-row proof sections, and project or bond records.Ask whether the signal belongs to grants, capital, facilities, or debt before reading it as recurring operating spending.Block Do not add outside-operating source-family rows into one operating total or treat them as ordinary classroom spending. | Open report |
| Cranford TwpUnion County | Read side-file contextWhich balances, reserves, unusual items, shared services, or listed roles change the story? | Unusual and shared-service contextDo one-off explanations or shared-service rows change the first read? | $19,072#482 NJ / #15 county; real -$969 | Locally funded; Side-file context92% local / 7% state; <1% transfers; 1% placement load | Real movementCapital, facilities, and debt moved +$8.5M since 2019-20Current scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 91% of operating scale | Mixed proposal movementOperating +$3.0M; cost line +$780; General current +$3.0M | Pull Unusual-item explanations, shared-service agreements, board minutes, contracts, and local savings support.Ask whether the row duplicates another source line, is one-time, district-entered, or locally verified.Block Do not add unusual rows or reported savings to operating totals. | Open report |
| Elizabeth CityUnion County | Read side-file contextWhich balances, reserves, unusual items, shared services, or listed roles change the story? | Balances and reservesDoes the close-year cushion change the budget interpretation? | $23,126#223 NJ / #4 county; real +$2,203 | State-funded; School-based budgeting; Side-file context9% local / 89% state; <1% transfers; 4% placement load | Proposal moveSpecial revenue funds changes -$42.8M in the latest fileCurrent scaleState aid represents 96% of operating scale | Mixed proposal movementOperating -$10.8M; cost line -$335; Plant operations -$12.1M | Pull Recap balance rows, audit or ACFR reserve schedules, board reserve actions, and budget notes.Ask what is restricted, recurring, planned drawdown, cushion, or close-year projection.Block Do not read recap balances as current operating appropriations or spendable cash. | Open report |
| Garwood BoroUnion County | Read the current proposalWhat changes now in the proposed column before the long-run trend is interpreted? | Current proposal changeWhat does the latest proposed budget column change right now? | $14,948#564 NJ / #21 county; real -$2,812 | Locally funded; Placement load; Side-file context88% local / 7% state; 0% transfers; 39% placement load | Real movementSpecial revenue funds moved +$1.4M since 2019-20Proposal moveFund balance and reserves changes +$354,837 in the latest fileCurrent scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 92% of operating scale | Proposed comparative cost decreaseOperating +$433,800; cost line -$1,606; General current +$439,600 | Pull Proposed budget, revised/current column support, adoption minutes, budget hearing deck, and district FAQ.Ask what is recurring, one-time, grant-funded, enrollment-driven, negotiated, or reclassified.Block Do not treat nominal proposal movement as an audited result or inflation-adjusted trend. | Open report |
| Hillside TwpUnion County | Separate outside-operating moneyIs the story about grants, special revenue, capital, facilities, or debt rather than recurring operating spending? | Outside-operating familyAre capital projects, facilities acquisition, reserve withdrawals, or debt-service rows distorting all-funds comparisons? | $22,677#247 NJ / #6 county; real +$1,650 | One-time support; Side-file context44% local / 51% state; 3% transfers; 2% placement load | Proposal moveCapital, facilities, and debt changes -$7.4M in the latest fileCurrent scaleState aid represents 60% of operating scale | Transfer proposal increaseOperating -$3.3M; cost line -$453; Capital outlay -$3.9M | Pull Grant schedules, capital/debt schedules, line-item budget, source-row proof sections, and project or bond records.Ask whether the signal belongs to grants, capital, facilities, or debt before reading it as recurring operating spending.Block Do not add outside-operating source-family rows into one operating total or treat them as ordinary classroom spending. | Open report |
| Kenilworth BoroUnion County | Separate outside-operating moneyIs the story about grants, special revenue, capital, facilities, or debt rather than recurring operating spending? | Outside-operating familyAre capital projects, facilities acquisition, reserve withdrawals, or debt-service rows distorting all-funds comparisons? | $20,329#403 NJ / #11 county; real -$1,791 | One-time support; Outside-operating scale; Side-file context72% local / 21% state; <1% transfers; 2% placement load | Current scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 78% of operating scalePeer gapCapital, facilities, and debt sits +20 pts vs county average | Capital proposal decreaseOperating -$2.3M; cost line -$385; Capital outlay -$2.3M | Pull Grant schedules, capital/debt schedules, line-item budget, source-row proof sections, and project or bond records.Ask whether the signal belongs to grants, capital, facilities, or debt before reading it as recurring operating spending.Block Do not add outside-operating source-family rows into one operating total or treat them as ordinary classroom spending. | Open report |
| Linden CityUnion County | Follow operating fundingDid the budget move toward local levy, state aid, federal revenue, or fund balance? | Operating funding familyWhich aid lines explain dependence on state funding or first-to-latest movement? | $22,990#232 NJ / #5 county; real +$769 | One-time support; Side-file context52% local / 39% state; <1% transfers; 4% placement load | Real movementState aid moved +$34.4M since 2019-20Proposal moveFederal grants changes -$19.9M in the latest fileCurrent scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 52% of operating scalePeer gapTransfers and tuition sits -11 pts vs county average | Mixed proposal movementOperating -$2.2M; cost line +$460; Capital outlay -$5.7M | Pull State-aid notices, levy worksheet, fund-balance notes, source-row proof sections, and tax-impact materials.Ask whether the source-family signal is a current revenue scale issue, a peer gap, a real movement, or a proposal-column move.Block Do not read General Fund operating source rows as all-funds revenue, taxpayer burden, or proof of cause without local records. | Open report |
| Morris-Union Jointure ComUnion County | Test one-time supportIs the budget leaning on fund balance, reserve withdrawals, or carryover that must be checked for recurrence? | One-time supportIs the budget using fund balance, reserve, or carryover support that needs a recurrence check? | n/an/a NJ / n/a county; real n/a | Locally funded; One-time support; Outside-operating scale86% local / n/a state; 0% transfers; 0% placement load | Proposal moveFund balance and reserves changes -$2.7M in the latest fileCurrent scaleTransfers and tuition represents 73% of operating scale | Fund-balance proposal shiftOperating -$1.1M; cost line n/a; General current -$1.7M | Pull Fund-balance appropriation notes, reserve withdrawal rows, board minutes, and audit or ACFR schedules.Ask whether the source recurs, replaces aid or levy, bridges a one-year plan, or draws restricted reserves.Block Do not call planned source rows audited cash stress or recurring operating revenue. | Open report |
| Mountainside BoroUnion County | Separate outside-operating moneyIs the story about grants, special revenue, capital, facilities, or debt rather than recurring operating spending? | Outside-operating familyAre capital projects, facilities acquisition, reserve withdrawals, or debt-service rows distorting all-funds comparisons? | $17,732#534 NJ / #18 county; real -$1,988 | Locally funded; Placement load; Side-file context89% local / 8% state; 0% transfers; 32% placement load | Real movementCapital, facilities, and debt moved -$2.4M since 2019-20Proposal moveSpecial revenue funds changes -$410,008 in the latest fileCurrent scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 92% of operating scale | Mixed proposal movementOperating +$534,524; cost line +$34; General current +$448,226 | Pull Grant schedules, capital/debt schedules, line-item budget, source-row proof sections, and project or bond records.Ask whether the signal belongs to grants, capital, facilities, or debt before reading it as recurring operating spending.Block Do not add outside-operating source-family rows into one operating total or treat them as ordinary classroom spending. | Open report |
| New Providence BoroUnion County | Separate outside-operating moneyIs the story about grants, special revenue, capital, facilities, or debt rather than recurring operating spending? | Outside-operating familyAre capital projects, facilities acquisition, reserve withdrawals, or debt-service rows distorting all-funds comparisons? | $20,237#412 NJ / #12 county; real +$793 | Locally funded; Side-file context89% local / 7% state; 0% transfers; 1% placement load | Proposal moveCapital, facilities, and debt changes -$1.4M in the latest fileCurrent scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 94% of operating scale | Mixed proposal movementOperating +$1.1M; cost line +$749; General current +$1.2M | Pull Grant schedules, capital/debt schedules, line-item budget, source-row proof sections, and project or bond records.Ask whether the signal belongs to grants, capital, facilities, or debt before reading it as recurring operating spending.Block Do not add outside-operating source-family rows into one operating total or treat them as ordinary classroom spending. | Open report |
| Plainfield CityUnion County | Read side-file contextWhich balances, reserves, unusual items, shared services, or listed roles change the story? | Unusual and shared-service contextDo one-off explanations or shared-service rows change the first read? | $27,019#81 NJ / #2 county; real +$5,854 | Rising real cost; State-funded; Charter/Renaissance transfers10% local / 88% state; 20% transfers; 15% placement load | Proposal moveCapital, facilities, and debt changes -$27.7M in the latest fileCurrent scaleState aid represents 97% of operating scale | State revenue drives proposalOperating -$9.2M; cost line +$427; Capital outlay -$15.3M | Pull Unusual-item explanations, shared-service agreements, board minutes, contracts, and local savings support.Ask whether the row duplicates another source line, is one-time, district-entered, or locally verified.Block Do not add unusual rows or reported savings to operating totals. | Open report |
| Rahway CityUnion County | Test one-time supportIs the budget leaning on fund balance, reserve withdrawals, or carryover that must be checked for recurrence? | One-time supportIs the budget using fund balance, reserve, or carryover support that needs a recurrence check? | $21,615#316 NJ / #8 county; real +$1,186 | Placement load; One-time support; Side-file context46% local / 51% state; <1% transfers; 5% placement load | Proposal moveOther named rows changes -$3.4M in the latest fileCurrent scaleState aid represents 59% of operating scale | Benefits drive proposed useOperating +$3.4M; cost line +$225; General current +$6.1M | Pull Fund-balance appropriation notes, reserve withdrawal rows, board minutes, and audit or ACFR schedules.Ask whether the source recurs, replaces aid or levy, bridges a one-year plan, or draws restricted reserves.Block Do not call planned source rows audited cash stress or recurring operating revenue. | Open report |
| Roselle BoroUnion County | Follow operating fundingDid the budget move toward local levy, state aid, federal revenue, or fund balance? | Operating funding familyWhich federal rows are large, concentrated, or fading after pandemic-era aid? | $21,827#296 NJ / #7 county; real -$310 | Side-file context33% local / 64% state; 1% transfers; 2% placement load | Proposal moveFederal grants changes -$15.1M in the latest fileCurrent scaleState aid represents 68% of operating scale | Mixed proposal movementOperating +$2.5M; cost line +$461; General current +$3.6M | Pull State-aid notices, levy worksheet, fund-balance notes, source-row proof sections, and tax-impact materials.Ask whether the source-family signal is a current revenue scale issue, a peer gap, a real movement, or a proposal-column move.Block Do not read General Fund operating source rows as all-funds revenue, taxpayer burden, or proof of cause without local records. | Open report |
| Roselle Park BoroUnion County | Separate outside-operating moneyIs the story about grants, special revenue, capital, facilities, or debt rather than recurring operating spending? | Outside-operating familyAre capital projects, facilities acquisition, reserve withdrawals, or debt-service rows distorting all-funds comparisons? | $23,451#203 NJ / #3 county; real +$3,182 | Placement load; One-time support; Side-file context49% local / 42% state; <1% transfers; 8% placement load | Proposal moveCapital, facilities, and debt changes -$20.1M in the latest fileCurrent scaleState aid represents 50% of operating scale | Proposed comparative cost increaseOperating -$4.7M; cost line +$2,211; Capital outlay -$9.7M | Pull Grant schedules, capital/debt schedules, line-item budget, source-row proof sections, and project or bond records.Ask whether the signal belongs to grants, capital, facilities, or debt before reading it as recurring operating spending.Block Do not add outside-operating source-family rows into one operating total or treat them as ordinary classroom spending. | Open report |
| Scotch Plains-Fanwood RegUnion County | Explain categoriesWhich spending or revenue family makes the budget look different? | Spending/category familyWhich remaining named rows deserve a closer district-level look? | $18,134#527 NJ / #17 county; real -$1,334 | Locally funded; Side-file context89% local / 9% state; <1% transfers; 2% placement load | Proposal moveOther named rows changes -$8.2M in the latest fileReal movementCapital, facilities, and debt moved -$5.4M since 2019-20Current scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 90% of operating scale | Mixed proposal movementOperating -$1.5M; cost line -$100; Capital outlay -$5.6M | Pull Line-item budget, source-row proof sections, category atlas, proposal support, and local peer reports.Ask whether the named family is current scale, a peer gap, real movement, a current proposal move, or outside-operating context.Block Do not add nested source-family rows into one total or treat a family signal as cause, waste, adequacy, or recurring spending without local records. | Open report |
| Springfield TwpUnion County | Separate outside-operating moneyIs the story about grants, special revenue, capital, facilities, or debt rather than recurring operating spending? | Outside-operating familyAre capital projects, facilities acquisition, reserve withdrawals, or debt-service rows distorting all-funds comparisons? | $20,041#428 NJ / #13 county; real +$484 | Locally funded; One-time support; Side-file context86% local / 8% state; <1% transfers; 2% placement load | Proposal moveCapital, facilities, and debt changes -$4.3M in the latest fileCurrent scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 88% of operating scale | Mixed proposal movementOperating -$3.2M; cost line -$674; Capital outlay -$2.5M | Pull Grant schedules, capital/debt schedules, line-item budget, source-row proof sections, and project or bond records.Ask whether the signal belongs to grants, capital, facilities, or debt before reading it as recurring operating spending.Block Do not add outside-operating source-family rows into one operating total or treat them as ordinary classroom spending. | Open report |
| Summit CityUnion County | Read side-file contextWhich balances, reserves, unusual items, shared services, or listed roles change the story? | Unusual and shared-service contextDo one-off explanations or shared-service rows change the first read? | $19,263#468 NJ / #14 county; real -$1,270 | Locally funded; Side-file context90% local / 7% state; 0% transfers; <1% placement load | Proposal moveCapital, facilities, and debt changes -$4.3M in the latest fileCurrent scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 90% of operating scale | Mixed proposal movementOperating -$1.1M; cost line -$787; Capital outlay -$2.1M | Pull Unusual-item explanations, shared-service agreements, board minutes, contracts, and local savings support.Ask whether the row duplicates another source line, is one-time, district-entered, or locally verified.Block Do not add unusual rows or reported savings to operating totals. | Open report |
| Union Co Ed Serv CommUnion County | Read the current proposalWhat changes now in the proposed column before the long-run trend is interpreted? | Current proposal changeWhat does the latest proposed budget column change right now? | n/an/a NJ / n/a county; real n/a | Locally funded100% local / n/a state; 0% transfers; 0% placement load | Current scaleTransportation represents 135% of operating scale | UFB denominator movesOperating -$16.5M; cost line n/a; Transportation -$12.9M | Pull Proposed budget, revised/current column support, adoption minutes, budget hearing deck, and district FAQ.Ask what is recurring, one-time, grant-funded, enrollment-driven, negotiated, or reclassified.Block Do not treat nominal proposal movement as an audited result or inflation-adjusted trend. | Open report |
| Union County VocationalUnion County | Separate outside-operating moneyIs the story about grants, special revenue, capital, facilities, or debt rather than recurring operating spending? | Outside-operating familyAre capital projects, facilities acquisition, reserve withdrawals, or debt-service rows distorting all-funds comparisons? | $17,337#541 NJ / #20 county; real -$648 | One-time support; Outside-operating scale47% local / 45% state; 0% transfers; 0% placement load | Proposal moveCapital, facilities, and debt changes -$57.0M in the latest fileReal movementFund balance and reserves moved +$5.4M since 2019-20Current scaleState aid represents 45% of operating scalePeer gapLocal taxes and local sources sits -31 pts vs county average | Proposed comparative cost decreaseOperating -$39.7M; cost line -$3,476; Capital outlay -$32.0M | Pull Grant schedules, capital/debt schedules, line-item budget, source-row proof sections, and project or bond records.Ask whether the signal belongs to grants, capital, facilities, or debt before reading it as recurring operating spending.Block Do not add outside-operating source-family rows into one operating total or treat them as ordinary classroom spending. | Open report |
| Union TwpUnion County | Follow operating fundingDid the budget move toward local levy, state aid, federal revenue, or fund balance? | Operating funding familyWhich aid lines explain dependence on state funding or first-to-latest movement? | $18,686#501 NJ / #16 county; real -$956 | Side-file context64% local / 34% state; 1% transfers; 1% placement load | Real movementState aid moved +$21.2M since 2019-20Proposal moveFederal grants changes -$5.0M in the latest fileCurrent scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 65% of operating scalePeer gapCapital, facilities, and debt sits -6 pts vs county average | Mixed proposal movementOperating +$80,167; cost line +$491; Benefits +$2.1M | Pull State-aid notices, levy worksheet, fund-balance notes, source-row proof sections, and tax-impact materials.Ask whether the source-family signal is a current revenue scale issue, a peer gap, a real movement, or a proposal-column move.Block Do not read General Fund operating source rows as all-funds revenue, taxpayer burden, or proof of cause without local records. | Open report |
| Westfield TownUnion County | Test one-time supportIs the budget leaning on fund balance, reserve withdrawals, or carryover that must be checked for recurrence? | Fund balance/reserve familyIs the district leaning on fund balance, capital reserve, maintenance reserve, or similar one-time sources? | $20,371#401 NJ / #10 county; real +$622 | Locally funded; Side-file context90% local / 7% state; 0% transfers; 2% placement load | Real movementFund balance and reserves moved -$23.8M since 2019-20Proposal moveCapital, facilities, and debt changes -$10.6M in the latest fileCurrent scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 92% of operating scale | Mixed proposal movementOperating -$2.1M; cost line +$621; Capital outlay -$6.3M | Pull Fund-balance appropriation notes, reserve withdrawal rows, recap schedules, board minutes, and audit or ACFR schedules.Ask whether the fund-balance or reserve row is recurring support, a one-year bridge, restricted, or paired with close-year balances.Block Do not call planned source-family rows audited cash stress, recurring revenue, or a structural deficit by themselves. | Open report |
| Winfield TwpUnion County | Separate outside-operating moneyIs the story about grants, special revenue, capital, facilities, or debt rather than recurring operating spending? | Outside-operating familyHow large are grant-funded or otherwise outside-operating programs relative to operating budgets? | $27,803#68 NJ / #1 county; real +$861 | Placement load; One-time support; Side-file context41% local / 54% state; 0% transfers; 22% placement load | Real movementSpecial revenue funds moved +$1.0M since 2019-20Proposal moveFund balance and reserves changes +$200,197 in the latest fileCurrent scaleState aid represents 66% of operating scale | Mixed proposal movementOperating +$328,918; cost line +$412; General current +$328,918 | Pull Grant schedules, capital/debt schedules, line-item budget, source-row proof sections, and project or bond records.Ask whether the signal belongs to grants, capital, facilities, or debt before reading it as recurring operating spending.Block Do not add outside-operating source-family rows into one operating total or treat them as ordinary classroom spending. | Open report |
| Allamuchy TwpWarren County | Check students and service loadIs a per-student comparison really about denominator, placements, or student need? | Student/service familyIs preschool aid, carryover, instruction, or support service scale material? | $19,490#456 NJ / #19 county; real +$644 | Locally funded; Placement load; Side-file context89% local / 11% state; <1% transfers; 34% placement load | Proposal moveEmployee benefits changes +$244,382 in the latest fileCurrent scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 90% of operating scalePeer gapPreschool sits -22 pts vs county average | Mixed proposal movementOperating +$210,960; cost line +$455; Benefits +$244,382 | Pull Tuition and placement schedules, preschool aid records, service-load rows, contracts, and source-row proof sections.Ask whether transfers, tuition, preschool, or special-education/support rows explain the comparison frame.Block Do not treat source-family rows as audited service counts, quality, adequacy, or a complete program ledger. | Open report |
| Alpha BoroWarren County | Check students and service loadIs a per-student comparison really about denominator, placements, or student need? | Student/service familyIs preschool aid, carryover, instruction, or support service scale material? | $20,819#365 NJ / #13 county; real -$2,797 | Placement load; One-time support; Side-file context58% local / 34% state; 0% transfers; 44% placement load | Real movementTransfers and tuition moved +$505,976 since 2019-20Current scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 57% of operating scalePeer gapPreschool sits -22 pts vs county average | Mixed proposal movementOperating +$68,232; cost line -$1,158; Benefits -$102,274 | Pull Tuition and placement schedules, preschool aid records, service-load rows, contracts, and source-row proof sections.Ask whether transfers, tuition, preschool, or special-education/support rows explain the comparison frame.Block Do not treat source-family rows as audited service counts, quality, adequacy, or a complete program ledger. | Open report |
| Belvidere TownWarren County | Follow operating fundingDid the budget move toward local levy, state aid, federal revenue, or fund balance? | Operating funding familyHow much of the budget story is local levy, tuition, fees, or miscellaneous local revenue? | $20,398#397 NJ / #14 county; real -$1,756 | One-time support; Side-file context70% local / 24% state; <1% transfers; 1% placement load | Proposal moveCapital, facilities, and debt changes +$292,941 in the latest fileCurrent scaleTransfers and tuition represents 37% of operating scalePeer gapLocal taxes and local sources sits -34 pts vs county average | Mixed proposal movementOperating +$102,398; cost line -$391; Capital outlay +$138,478 | Pull State-aid notices, levy worksheet, fund-balance notes, source-row proof sections, and tax-impact materials.Ask whether the source-family signal is a current revenue scale issue, a peer gap, a real movement, or a proposal-column move.Block Do not read General Fund operating source rows as all-funds revenue, taxpayer burden, or proof of cause without local records. | Open report |
| Blairstown TwpWarren County | Check students and service loadIs a per-student comparison really about denominator, placements, or student need? | Student/service familyIs preschool aid, carryover, instruction, or support service scale material? | $19,803#439 NJ / #18 county; real -$1,552 | Locally funded; Side-file context89% local / 10% state; 5% transfers; <1% placement load | Real movementState aid moved -$1.2M since 2019-20Proposal moveCapital, facilities, and debt changes -$690,168 in the latest fileCurrent scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 88% of operating scalePeer gapPreschool sits -22 pts vs county average | Mixed proposal movementOperating -$34,859; cost line +$121; Capital outlay -$369,948 | Pull Tuition and placement schedules, preschool aid records, service-load rows, contracts, and source-row proof sections.Ask whether transfers, tuition, preschool, or special-education/support rows explain the comparison frame.Block Do not treat source-family rows as audited service counts, quality, adequacy, or a complete program ledger. | Open report |
| Franklin TwpWarren County | Test one-time supportIs the budget leaning on fund balance, reserve withdrawals, or carryover that must be checked for recurrence? | One-time supportIs the budget using fund balance, reserve, or carryover support that needs a recurrence check? | $21,738#307 NJ / #9 county; real -$4,588 | Locally funded; One-time support; Outside-operating scale76% local / 7% state; 0% transfers; 0% placement load | Proposal moveFund balance and reserves changes +$793,871 in the latest fileCurrent scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 76% of operating scalePeer gapSpecial revenue funds sits +29 pts vs county average | Mixed proposal movementOperating +$537,455; cost line -$858; Capital outlay +$341,781 | Pull Fund-balance appropriation notes, reserve withdrawal rows, board minutes, and audit or ACFR schedules.Ask whether the source recurs, replaces aid or levy, bridges a one-year plan, or draws restricted reserves.Block Do not call planned source rows audited cash stress or recurring operating revenue. | Open report |
| Frelinghuysen TwpWarren County | Follow operating fundingDid the budget move toward local levy, state aid, federal revenue, or fund balance? | Operating funding familyWhich aid lines explain dependence on state funding or first-to-latest movement? | $19,085#481 NJ / #22 county; real -$2,573 | Locally funded; One-time support; Side-file context82% local / 6% state; 8% transfers; 1% placement load | Real movementState aid moved -$470,866 since 2019-20Proposal moveCapital, facilities, and debt changes -$210,000 in the latest fileCurrent scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 81% of operating scalePeer gapPreschool sits -22 pts vs county average | Transfer proposal increaseOperating +$92,132; cost line -$861; Charter transfers +$122,945 | Pull State-aid notices, levy worksheet, fund-balance notes, source-row proof sections, and tax-impact materials.Ask whether the source-family signal is a current revenue scale issue, a peer gap, a real movement, or a proposal-column move.Block Do not read General Fund operating source rows as all-funds revenue, taxpayer burden, or proof of cause without local records. | Open report |
| Great Meadows RegionalWarren County | Read the current proposalWhat changes now in the proposed column before the long-run trend is interpreted? | Current proposal changeWhat does the latest proposed budget column change right now? | $18,051#529 NJ / #24 county; real -$6,413 | Placement load; One-time support; Outside-operating scale74% local / 8% state; 1% transfers; 35% placement load | Current scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 75% of operating scalePeer gapCapital, facilities, and debt sits +22 pts vs county average | Mixed proposal movementOperating +$3.3M; cost line +$184; Capital outlay +$3.2M | Pull Proposed budget, revised/current column support, adoption minutes, budget hearing deck, and district FAQ.Ask what is recurring, one-time, grant-funded, enrollment-driven, negotiated, or reclassified.Block Do not treat nominal proposal movement as an audited result or inflation-adjusted trend. | Open report |
| Greenwich TwpWarren County | Check students and service loadIs a per-student comparison really about denominator, placements, or student need? | Student/service familyIs preschool aid, carryover, instruction, or support service scale material? | $21,643#315 NJ / #10 county; real +$4,043 | Rising real cost; Placement load; One-time support69% local / 25% state; 0% transfers; 49% placement load | Real movementState aid moved -$2.3M since 2019-20Proposal moveFund balance and reserves changes +$671,078 in the latest fileCurrent scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 68% of operating scalePeer gapPreschool sits -22 pts vs county average | Mixed proposal movementOperating +$468,436; cost line +$1,256; General current +$481,191 | Pull Tuition and placement schedules, preschool aid records, service-load rows, contracts, and source-row proof sections.Ask whether transfers, tuition, preschool, or special-education/support rows explain the comparison frame.Block Do not treat source-family rows as audited service counts, quality, adequacy, or a complete program ledger. | Open report |
| HackettstownWarren County | Follow operating fundingDid the budget move toward local levy, state aid, federal revenue, or fund balance? | Operating funding familyWhich aid lines explain dependence on state funding or first-to-latest movement? | $21,989#287 NJ / #8 county; real +$2,387 | Side-file context59% local / 41% state; <1% transfers; 2% placement load | Real movementState aid moved +$11.1M since 2019-20Proposal moveEmployee benefits changes +$1.3M in the latest fileCurrent scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 44% of operating scale | Mixed proposal movementOperating +$1.1M; cost line +$479; General current +$1.7M | Pull State-aid notices, levy worksheet, fund-balance notes, source-row proof sections, and tax-impact materials.Ask whether the source-family signal is a current revenue scale issue, a peer gap, a real movement, or a proposal-column move.Block Do not read General Fund operating source rows as all-funds revenue, taxpayer burden, or proof of cause without local records. | Open report |
| Harmony TwpWarren County | Check students and service loadIs a per-student comparison really about denominator, placements, or student need? | Student/service familyIs preschool aid, carryover, instruction, or support service scale material? | $28,313#63 NJ / #2 county; real +$1,300 | Locally funded; High tax effort; Placement load88% local / 6% state; 0% transfers; 32% placement load | Proposal moveEmployee benefits changes +$208,310 in the latest fileCurrent scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 88% of operating scalePeer gapPreschool sits -22 pts vs county average | Mixed proposal movementOperating +$366,992; cost line +$1,342; General current +$366,012 | Pull Tuition and placement schedules, preschool aid records, service-load rows, contracts, and source-row proof sections.Ask whether transfers, tuition, preschool, or special-education/support rows explain the comparison frame.Block Do not treat source-family rows as audited service counts, quality, adequacy, or a complete program ledger. | Open report |
| Hope TwpWarren County | Separate outside-operating moneyIs the story about grants, special revenue, capital, facilities, or debt rather than recurring operating spending? | Outside-operating familyAre capital projects, facilities acquisition, reserve withdrawals, or debt-service rows distorting all-funds comparisons? | $25,648#114 NJ / #4 county; real -$2,514 | Locally funded; High tax effort; Placement load93% local / 7% state; 4% transfers; 51% placement load | Real movementCapital, facilities, and debt moved -$884,046 since 2019-20Proposal moveFederal grants changes -$477,678 in the latest fileCurrent scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 92% of operating scale | Proposed comparative cost decreaseOperating -$178,608; cost line -$1,375; Charter transfers -$132,820 | Pull Grant schedules, capital/debt schedules, line-item budget, source-row proof sections, and project or bond records.Ask whether the signal belongs to grants, capital, facilities, or debt before reading it as recurring operating spending.Block Do not add outside-operating source-family rows into one operating total or treat them as ordinary classroom spending. | Open report |
| Knowlton TwpWarren County | Separate outside-operating moneyIs the story about grants, special revenue, capital, facilities, or debt rather than recurring operating spending? | Outside-operating familyAre capital projects, facilities acquisition, reserve withdrawals, or debt-service rows distorting all-funds comparisons? | $21,377#336 NJ / #11 county; real -$6,928 | Locally funded; Side-file context87% local / 8% state; 4% transfers; 1% placement load | Proposal moveCapital, facilities, and debt changes -$1.2M in the latest fileReal movementState aid moved -$1.2M since 2019-20Current scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 87% of operating scalePeer gapPreschool sits -22 pts vs county average | Tax levy drives proposalOperating -$205,677; cost line -$4; Capital outlay -$610,543 | Pull Grant schedules, capital/debt schedules, line-item budget, source-row proof sections, and project or bond records.Ask whether the signal belongs to grants, capital, facilities, or debt before reading it as recurring operating spending.Block Do not add outside-operating source-family rows into one operating total or treat them as ordinary classroom spending. | Open report |
| Lopatcong TwpWarren County | Check students and service loadIs a per-student comparison really about denominator, placements, or student need? | Student and service loadIs the budget story really about who the district budgets to serve, send, or receive? | $21,298#341 NJ / #12 county; real +$3,875 | Placement load; One-time support; Side-file context67% local / 19% state; 0% transfers; 59% placement load | Real movementSpecial revenue funds moved +$3.0M since 2019-20Current scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 70% of operating scalePeer gapTransfers and tuition sits +9 pts vs county average | Proposed comparative cost increaseOperating +$1.4M; cost line +$1,807; General current +$1.2M | Pull Budget-enrollment assumptions, placement counts, tuition agreements, special-services records, and receiving-district context.Ask who the district budgets to serve, send, or receive before quoting per-student costs.Block Do not treat UFB planning rows as audited fall enrollment or service quality. | Open report |
| Mansfield TwpWarren County | Check students and service loadIs a per-student comparison really about denominator, placements, or student need? | Student/service familyIs preschool aid, carryover, instruction, or support service scale material? | $19,856#435 NJ / #17 county; real +$1,512 | Side-file context53% local / 41% state; <1% transfers; 1% placement load | Proposal moveCapital, facilities, and debt changes +$1.3M in the latest fileCurrent scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 53% of operating scalePeer gapPreschool sits -22 pts vs county average | Mixed proposal movementOperating +$874,136; cost line +$552; Capital outlay +$689,791 | Pull Tuition and placement schedules, preschool aid records, service-load rows, contracts, and source-row proof sections.Ask whether transfers, tuition, preschool, or special-education/support rows explain the comparison frame.Block Do not treat source-family rows as audited service counts, quality, adequacy, or a complete program ledger. | Open report |
| North Warren RegionalWarren County | Follow operating fundingDid the budget move toward local levy, state aid, federal revenue, or fund balance? | Operating funding familyWhich aid lines explain dependence on state funding or first-to-latest movement? | $26,274#97 NJ / #3 county; real +$2,788 | Locally funded; Side-file context87% local / 8% state; 1% transfers; 1% placement load | Real movementState aid moved -$4.1M since 2019-20Proposal moveCapital, facilities, and debt changes -$3.6M in the latest fileCurrent scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 87% of operating scalePeer gapPreschool sits -22 pts vs county average | Capital proposal decreaseOperating -$1.6M; cost line +$1,512; Capital outlay -$2.1M | Pull State-aid notices, levy worksheet, fund-balance notes, source-row proof sections, and tax-impact materials.Ask whether the source-family signal is a current revenue scale issue, a peer gap, a real movement, or a proposal-column move.Block Do not read General Fund operating source rows as all-funds revenue, taxpayer burden, or proof of cause without local records. | Open report |
| Oxford TwpWarren County | Separate outside-operating moneyIs the story about grants, special revenue, capital, facilities, or debt rather than recurring operating spending? | Outside-operating familyHow large are grant-funded or otherwise outside-operating programs relative to operating budgets? | $19,331#465 NJ / #21 county; real -$601 | Placement load; Side-file context64% local / 35% state; 0% transfers; 35% placement load | Real movementSpecial revenue funds moved +$1.3M since 2019-20Proposal moveCapital, facilities, and debt changes -$1.1M in the latest fileCurrent scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 68% of operating scalePeer gapState aid sits +19 pts vs county average | Mixed proposal movementOperating -$681,399; cost line -$934; Capital outlay -$440,172 | Pull Grant schedules, capital/debt schedules, line-item budget, source-row proof sections, and project or bond records.Ask whether the signal belongs to grants, capital, facilities, or debt before reading it as recurring operating spending.Block Do not add outside-operating source-family rows into one operating total or treat them as ordinary classroom spending. | Open report |
| Phillipsburg TownWarren County | Follow operating fundingDid the budget move toward local levy, state aid, federal revenue, or fund balance? | Operating funding familyHow much of the budget story is local levy, tuition, fees, or miscellaneous local revenue? | $20,278#408 NJ / #15 county; real -$1,665 | School-based budgeting; One-time support; Side-file context33% local / 60% state; <1% transfers; 3% placement load | Proposal moveCapital, facilities, and debt changes +$8.8M in the latest fileCurrent scaleState aid represents 68% of operating scalePeer gapLocal taxes and local sources sits -55 pts vs county average | Proposed comparative cost decreaseOperating +$4.6M; cost line -$1,425; Capital outlay +$3.9M | Pull State-aid notices, levy worksheet, fund-balance notes, source-row proof sections, and tax-impact materials.Ask whether the source-family signal is a current revenue scale issue, a peer gap, a real movement, or a proposal-column move.Block Do not read General Fund operating source rows as all-funds revenue, taxpayer burden, or proof of cause without local records. | Open report |
| Pohatcong TwpWarren County | Separate outside-operating moneyIs the story about grants, special revenue, capital, facilities, or debt rather than recurring operating spending? | Outside-operating familyHow large are grant-funded or otherwise outside-operating programs relative to operating budgets? | $20,085#424 NJ / #16 county; real -$594 | Placement load; One-time support; Side-file context68% local / 27% state; 0% transfers; 35% placement load | Real movementSpecial revenue funds moved +$1.3M since 2019-20Proposal moveCapital, facilities, and debt changes -$707,357 in the latest fileCurrent scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 72% of operating scalePeer gapState aid sits +9 pts vs county average | UFB denominator movesOperating -$172,817; cost line -$1,231; Capital outlay -$308,268 | Pull Grant schedules, capital/debt schedules, line-item budget, source-row proof sections, and project or bond records.Ask whether the signal belongs to grants, capital, facilities, or debt before reading it as recurring operating spending.Block Do not add outside-operating source-family rows into one operating total or treat them as ordinary classroom spending. | Open report |
| Warren Co Special ServiceWarren County | Compare cost positionIs the district expensive, or just in a high-cost peer group? | Cost positionWhy does this district sit high on the published comparative-cost line? | $50,000#9 NJ / #1 county; real -$5,004 | High comparative cost; Locally funded; Side-file context100% local / n/a state; 0% transfers; 0% placement load | Current scaleSpecial education and student supports represents 100% of operating scale | Mixed proposal movementOperating $0; cost line +$50,000; General current $0 | Pull Budget presentation, adopted budget book, staffing/program notes, and local peer reports.Ask whether county, scale, grade span, placements, transfers, or side files explain the rank.Block Do not turn comparative cost into waste, quality, or adequacy by itself. | Open report |
| Warren County VocationalWarren County | Check students and service loadIs a per-student comparison really about denominator, placements, or student need? | Student/service familyIs preschool aid, carryover, instruction, or support service scale material? | $24,972#139 NJ / #5 county; real +$556 | One-time support; Outside-operating scale; Side-file context57% local / 29% state; 0% transfers; 0% placement load | Proposal moveCapital, facilities, and debt changes -$755,100 in the latest fileCurrent scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 81% of operating scalePeer gapPreschool sits -22 pts vs county average | Mixed proposal movementOperating -$160,546; cost line +$348; Capital outlay -$255,100 | Pull Tuition and placement schedules, preschool aid records, service-load rows, contracts, and source-row proof sections.Ask whether transfers, tuition, preschool, or special-education/support rows explain the comparison frame.Block Do not treat source-family rows as audited service counts, quality, adequacy, or a complete program ledger. | Open report |
| Warren Hills RegionalWarren County | Check students and service loadIs a per-student comparison really about denominator, placements, or student need? | Student/service familyIs preschool aid, carryover, instruction, or support service scale material? | $22,838#241 NJ / #7 county; real -$1,613 | One-time support; Side-file context69% local / 22% state; <1% transfers; 1% placement load | Real movementState aid moved -$4.8M since 2019-20Proposal moveCapital, facilities, and debt changes -$4.5M in the latest fileCurrent scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 68% of operating scalePeer gapPreschool sits -22 pts vs county average | Mixed proposal movementOperating -$3.1M; cost line -$46; Capital outlay -$2.3M | Pull Tuition and placement schedules, preschool aid records, service-load rows, contracts, and source-row proof sections.Ask whether transfers, tuition, preschool, or special-education/support rows explain the comparison frame.Block Do not treat source-family rows as audited service counts, quality, adequacy, or a complete program ledger. | Open report |
| Washington BoroWarren County | Read the current proposalWhat changes now in the proposed column before the long-run trend is interpreted? | Current proposal changeWhat does the latest proposed budget column change right now? | $19,444#460 NJ / #20 county; real -$2,214 | One-time support; Outside-operating scale; Side-file context45% local / 48% state; 1% transfers; 1% placement load | Proposal moveCapital, facilities, and debt changes -$4.0M in the latest fileCurrent scaleState aid represents 64% of operating scale | Proposed comparative cost decreaseOperating -$2.5M; cost line -$3,642; Capital outlay -$2.0M | Pull Proposed budget, revised/current column support, adoption minutes, budget hearing deck, and district FAQ.Ask what is recurring, one-time, grant-funded, enrollment-driven, negotiated, or reclassified.Block Do not treat nominal proposal movement as an audited result or inflation-adjusted trend. | Open report |
| Washington TwpWarren County | Follow operating fundingDid the budget move toward local levy, state aid, federal revenue, or fund balance? | Operating funding familyWhich aid lines explain dependence on state funding or first-to-latest movement? | $18,690#499 NJ / #23 county; real -$5,714 | Locally funded; Side-file context90% local / 9% state; <1% transfers; 0% placement load | Real movementState aid moved -$1.4M since 2019-20Current scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 89% of operating scalePeer gapTransfers and tuition sits -21 pts vs county average | Tax levy drives proposalOperating -$67,129; cost line -$571; Capital outlay -$227,610 | Pull State-aid notices, levy worksheet, fund-balance notes, source-row proof sections, and tax-impact materials.Ask whether the source-family signal is a current revenue scale issue, a peer gap, a real movement, or a proposal-column move.Block Do not read General Fund operating source rows as all-funds revenue, taxpayer burden, or proof of cause without local records. | Open report |
| White TwpWarren County | Check students and service loadIs a per-student comparison really about denominator, placements, or student need? | Student/service familyDo charter/Renaissance transfers, tuition, or purchased placements change the budget story? | $23,533#196 NJ / #6 county; real -$3,758 | Locally funded; High tax effort; Placement load80% local / 6% state; <1% transfers; 36% placement load | Real movementTransfers and tuition moved -$1.5M since 2019-20Proposal moveCapital, facilities, and debt changes +$919,152 in the latest fileCurrent scaleLocal taxes and local sources represents 80% of operating scalePeer gapPreschool sits -22 pts vs county average | Mixed proposal movementOperating +$760,640; cost line +$813; Capital outlay +$457,076 | Pull Tuition and placement schedules, preschool aid records, service-load rows, contracts, and source-row proof sections.Ask whether transfers, tuition, preschool, or special-education/support rows explain the comparison frame.Block Do not treat source-family rows as audited service counts, quality, adequacy, or a complete program ledger. | Open report |
How to use this index
- It chooses a starting question. The first read is a generated prompt, not a conclusion about quality, adequacy, waste, or cause.
- It keeps comparison before rank. County, budget model, scale, service load, and tax basis can all change what a cost rank means.
- It separates timing bases. Proposal movement is nominal latest-file movement; real movement uses CPI-U and 2025 dollars.
- It preserves source caveats. UFB source rows can be nested, side-file rows are context, and NJDOE comparative cost is the published line rather than a recomputed ratio.