Ho-Ho-Kus Schools Could Face Staff Cuts Without $3.1M Referendum
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ho-Ho-Kus NJ, the future of education in Ho-Ho-Kus is currently on the ballot. This March, borough residents are being asked to decide on a $3.1 million bond proposal that the school system claims could mean the difference between maintaining current standards or facing a radical restructuring of the local school system.
As the district grapples with a multi-million dollar budget gap, here is everything you need to know before the March 10 vote.
Why is the District Asking for $3.1 Million?
While the district has attempted to stay within the state’s 2% annual tax levy cap, a “perfect storm” of rising costs has pushed the 2026-2027 budget into a deficit. According to Superintendent Linda Bovino-Romeo, the district is facing:
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30% Increase in health insurance premiums.
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20% Spike in utility costs.
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Growing expenses for mandated Special Education services.
Currently, anticipated expenses sit at $21.6 million, while revenues remain at $19.5 million. The referendum is designed to bridge that $2.1 million gap and secure the district’s long-term financial health.
The Stakes: What Happens if the Vote Fails?
The district has been transparent about the “Plan B” if the referendum does not pass. To balance the budget, the school would be forced to cut 20 to 25 staff positions—roughly 28% of the total staff.
Potential impacts include:
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Ballooning Class Sizes: Jumping from an average of 18–24 students to 27–34 students.
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Program Gutting: Reducing STEAM, World Language, Fine Arts, and Gifted Education to the absolute state minimums.
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Service Reductions: Potential elimination of supplemental support in nursing, technology, and security.
“Without this community investment, we would need to make an additional 20 to 25 staff reductions… to balance our budget for the 2026-2027 school year.” — Superintendent Linda Bovino-Romeo
The Cost to Homeowners
For an average Ho-Ho-Kus home valued at $1.38 million, the passage of this referendum would result in a property tax increase of approximately:
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$1,984 per year
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$165 per month
Important Dates & How to Vote
The borough is holding several information sessions to answer resident questions. Registration via hohokus.org is required.
Upcoming Information Sessions:
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Feb. 3: 1:30 PM – 2:30 PM
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Feb. 4: 6:30 PM – 7:30 PM
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Feb. 10: 6:30 PM – 7:30 PM
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Feb. 24: 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Voting Logistics:
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Voter Registration Deadline: Feb. 17, 2026
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Mail-in Ballot Application Deadline: March 3, 2026
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Election Day: March 10, 2026 (7 AM – 8 PM at Borough Council Chambers)
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Citizens, stand up against the never-ending tax and spend nonsense. The stated ‘stakes’ sound all too familiar. Status quo, without any effort to CUT COSTS, streamline administration, the elimination of duplication, etc., etc. Just MORE SPENDING.
public education is overwith , long past time to move on
How many new students entered the school system with all the new apartments off maple and by the train station
“How many new students entered the school system with all the new apartments off maple and by the train station”
I heard around 5,000 new kids.
Can’t be 5000 new students
According to Niche they had less than 600 k-8
That’s an extremely rich town now. I’m sure they’ll find the money.
Schools? There is only 1 school in HHK.
Ridgewood will be next they spend like money grows on trees and a huge portion of it is on salaries. Just criminal
Let me tell you some people the Ridgewood Board of Education are more dirtier than any business or anyone that you know, one scam at the next period and will get screwed the bus drivers that we used to employ, the custodians, the groundsmen, they privatized all that thinking that they would save money. They didn’t save shit. Because they don’t get the work done and they have nothing but problems and they have more money for management. They gotta stop their bullshit.
Have not heard more dirtier but who no’s what is up
It’s really true that this outsourcing everything has to stop. Hire some people with some handyman skills. Let them get to know the quirks of particular buildings. People like that can keep small problems from turning into big ones. Same with parks and fields. Timing is everything with grass care. With an actual professional groundsman, you could look forward to continual improvement.
State benefits health insurance has skyrocketed because of Obamacare
It’s unsustainable
Good schools are important for a few reasons, including our real estate values.I do think voters need to question the salaries for the “top heavy” administration, whether some services might be shared with the receiving district such as Guidance, etc. New taxes couldn’t come at the worst time for some tax payers who are already in debt, have had the assessed value of their homes increased, and are worried about their own jobs.
Last time this happened, some Hohokians were saying: “If you cannot afford it, move.” Do we really want this to happen.
Ridgewood will be in the same situation in a year or two.
For the last 5-6 years, they have added new positions EVERY year and increased top administrative salaries by over 25%!
Current board does not know how to say “no” to any “ask”.
It is unnerving that the superintendent who oversaw this massive hole in the budget without any news services being provided has not resigned. Will be back for more next year.
VOTE NO!!
Do NOT fall for it! Don’t vote for a tax increase of approx. $2,000.00 per ‘average’ household seperate from and IN ADDITION to already increased taxes in HHK!! This will occur EVERY YEAR!!
The BOE has not operated whithin the budget. They say there are always “very good reasons” why they exceed the approved school budget. But that is not correct.
Right now, HHK REALTORS and many parents with young children (most of which recently moved to HHK) are promoting fear by claiming that our property values will go down if we dont approve thisnmassive addition to the school budget!!! Whaat??!!? The realtors promote HHK as “having a K-8 just like a private school”. HHK school is a PUBLIC SCHOOL!! Realtors must stay OUT of this, STOP promoting that we have a “private-like” k-8 school and STOP linking this vote to our home values. We all must wake-up and understand that the most powerful lobby in the United States National.Association of Realtors.
HOHOKUS residents need to stop the Board of Education from constantly overspending the budget!
Further, ask yourself:
•why has this NOT been transparent??
•why has there been a significant lack of information openly available— and more specifically to households without children??
•why is it promoted that without the EXTRA MINIMUM $2,000$ PER HOUSEHOLD/ YEAR— hhk property values will go down, the kids will suffer, we will have gangs and the school will close its doors???!!!
What is going on here??
Why is the MAYOR saying the same things??
*We need to vote NO and get back to basics and operating the school within the budget.
Sincerely, a very concerned taxpayer.