Total budget
$206.8M
-0.6% vs FY26
Adopted May 4, 2026
FY27 Budget: What Was Adopted
On May 4, the Board adopted West Orange's FY27 budget by a 5–0 vote. The adopted budget closes a $13.5M structural deficit through staff reductions, program cuts, and a 2.5% tax levy increase. The structural problem that created the deficit — a state formula that requires local funding obligations to grow faster than the 2% levy cap allows — is unchanged. Without state-level reform, West Orange will face the same math in FY28.
Tax levy increase
2.5%
~$294/year on an average assessed home
Staff non-renewals
~77
Non-renewals (full-time and part-time)
Structural deficit closed
$13.5M
What was cut
The FY27 adopted budget includes permanent reductions and restructures that closed this year's gap. The district also used $797,576 of banked cap, leaving about $2.9M available for future years.
77 staff non-renewals
77 full-time and part-time positions, including teachers, support staff, and administration. These are economic non-renewals, not performance-based, per the Superintendent's April 29 letter.
Elementary class sizes to 25
Elementary classroom sizes increased from prior averages to approximately 25 students. The elementary schedule was restructured to consolidate related arts.
Middle/high class sizes raised to 30
Secondary class sections increased to approximately 30 across core courses. Middle school moves from a 7-period to an 8-period day.
Middle school sports and intramurals eliminated
All middle school sports and intramurals removed from the district budget. The Superintendent is exploring partnerships with parent boosters and Township Recreation to preserve some opportunities.
Paraprofessionals moved to managed services vendor
The district is moving paraprofessional staffing to a third-party managed services vendor for projected $3M in annual recurring savings. Per the Superintendent's April 29 letter, paras will not be rotated; assignments are IEP-driven.
2 central office administrators eliminated
Two more district-level administrator roles cut, on top of 4 cut in prior years - 6 total over two years.
Transportation consolidated
Bus routes combined; high school late-bus service reduced or cut.
FY28 and beyond
What's Next
The adopted budget closes this year's gap, but the structural formula problem remains. Our full post-adoption roadmap outlines what comes next for state reform, community oversight, and local support — including clear next steps families can take right now.
Read What's Next →