Your Ridgewood Property Taxes Are Going Up—Here’s Why
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, The Ridgewood Board of Education has officially greenlit a $135.5 million budget for the 2026-2027 school year, but for local families, the news is bittersweet. While the budget ensures the district remains operational, it brings with it a significant property tax hike and “radical” cuts to services that parents have relied on for decades.
Here is a breakdown of what the new budget means for Ridgewood residents, students, and taxpayers.
The $2.9 Million Deficit: What Happened?
The primary driver behind this year’s budget crunch is a $2.9 million “radical” increase in health benefit costs. To balance the scales for Bergen County’s largest school district—which serves over 5,500 students—the board had to make difficult choices between raising revenue and slashing expenses.
The Impact on Your Wallet
If you own a home in Ridgewood, you will see the impact on your next tax bill.
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Total Tax Levy: The schools will raise $111.7 million through property taxes.
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The Average Increase: For a home assessed at $715,000, school taxes will increase by $527.81 annually.
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Total Tax Picture: When combined with the already approved municipal and county budget increases, the average Ridgewood homeowner is looking at a total property tax jump of roughly $800+ this year.
Major Cuts: Staffing and “Subscription Busing”
The most controversial aspect of the May 4th vote involves the reduction of services that directly impact student daily life.
1. The End of Free Courtesy Busing
In a move to raise an estimated $539,000, the district is introducing subscription busing.
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The Cost: Parents may have to pay $1,550 per child for transportation.
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Who is affected? Approximately 400 students living within mandated walking zones who previously received “courtesy” busing.
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The Risk: Superintendent Mark Schwarz noted that routes without enough paying parents will be eliminated entirely.
2. Staff Reductions
The board approved eight staff “reductions” across the district. The cuts are distributed as follows:
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Ridgewood High School: 3 positions
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Middle Schools (GW & BF): 1 each
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Travell Elementary: 1 position
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Education Center: 2 positions
Safety Concerns: Glen Avenue and Bus Route W-9
During the public comment session, parents voiced intense anxiety regarding student safety. Many argued that eliminated bus routes—specifically Bus Route W-9 and those involving Glen Avenue—force children to walk along dangerous thoroughfares.
While parents requested more crossing guards, Village Police Chief Forest Lyons noted that guards fall under the municipal budget, which is already finalized. With 31 existing crossing guard locations, it remains unclear if the village can afford to staff the new “walking zones” created by the busing cuts.
What’s Next for Ridgewood Schools?
The future of the Infant Toddler Development Center remains in limbo, as the district considers displacing the program to make room for other needs.
As the district moves toward the 2026-2027 school year, the board promises to continue evaluating safety policies, but for now, Ridgewood residents must prepare for a leaner school system and a higher tax bill.
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Does Schwartz need 2 deputies. Trim the administrative fat
Certainly don’t need a PR director.
The activists are getting what they want, which is to collapse the system.
Well done. They have no alternative solution to replace what they tore down.
On the bright side it appears there will be competition in the next BOE race.
They don’t need half the people at cottage place , this asst to that asst etc. what a waste