đź“Ť Location: Ridgewood, NJ
🗓️ Date Approved: April 22, 2025
đź’° Total Budget: $130,989,166
📉 Tax Impact: Decrease of $80.90 per average assessed home
Ridgewood School Budget for 2025-2026 Officially Approved
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, the Ridgewood Board of Education (BOE) officially adopted its 2025–2026 school budget during a public hearing and vote held at the April 22, 2025 meeting. Richard Matthews, Business Administrator and Board Secretary, led the detailed budget presentation outlining financial highlights and community impact.
The tentative budget had been submitted on March 17, 2025, and received approval from the Executive County Superintendent of Schools on April 4, 2025. Following this approval, the Ridgewood BOE finalized the adoption process this week.
Budget Breakdown and Tax Impact
The 2025–2026 operating budget totals $130,989,166, which includes a 2% tax levy increase. This cap, mandated by New Jersey law, includes allowable adjustments for changes in student enrollment, health benefits, and pension obligations.
Despite the 2% levy increase, homeowners will actually see a slight tax decrease due to the borough’s increased ratables—most notably impacted by Valley Hospital’s redevelopment.
Decrease in Average Assessed Property Tax:
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As of 6/30/2025: $12,913.77
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As of 6/30/2026: $12,832.87
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Annual Savings: $80.90 per household
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Monthly Decrease: $6.74
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Daily Decrease: $0.02
A Balanced Budget for a Growing Community
Matthews emphasized that the budget reflects a responsible balance between maintaining high-quality education and minimizing the financial impact on Ridgewood taxpayers.
“This budget supports our schools while acknowledging the financial realities our residents face,” Matthews said during the meeting.
What’s Next?
The adopted budget will now guide Ridgewood Public Schools through the 2025–2026 academic year, supporting staffing, student programs, facility maintenance, and more.
Residents can view the full budget presentation and breakdown by visiting the Ridgewood Public Schools website.
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What if the hospital wins its appeal (or it takes years) and doesn’t have to pay taxes?
First off, job well done to the BOE. The fact that Sheila Brogan actually passed a budget with a tax decrease is pretty stunning. Nonetheless, well done.
With that said, why is it that the Ridgewood Blog screamed bloody murder that the VC used the Valley ratable to lower the published tax increase but when the BOE does it, no problem?
VC actually appropriated the estimated tax revenue from Valley. BOE did not.
Council plans to spend money that they likely won’t even get. BOE made no such plans.
The trade off is that new contracts went out to DEI connected agencies. Hiring new employees using this model as well. The entire Vision 2030 is littered in political ideology that will damage this towns reputation and future.
She knows it all comes down to the $$, but her “pursuit of excellence” will come at great cost- socially, educationally, and emotionally- to village families and students.
Be patient and start watching.
Vote Red for NJ Governor!!
Meet Jack Ciattarelli
BERGEN CO. TOWN HALL
THURSDAY, MAY 29, 2025
6:00PM @
FLAC BAR/CATERING HALL
14-19 PARMELEE AVE
FAIR LAWN
Unfortunately, the Village Council did not follow suit and continues to spend wildly.
Great news. Too bad we got screwed big time by the Village Council.