Bernards Township Schools Will Get Less State Aid For 2026-27

BASKING RIDGE, NJ — Yet again, the Bernards Township School District is getting bad news in respect to state aid.

The district is expected to get $240,454 less than last year in school aid from New Jersey as part of the latest state budget proposal.

For the 2026-27 school year, the district is slated to receive $7,774673, or 3 percent less than in the 2025-26 school year. The district also received a three percent decrease in 2025-26.

"The reduction is disappointing, however, we expected it and are planning accordingly," said Bernards Township Superintendent Nick Markarian to Patch.

Gov. Mikie Sherrill's proposed budget for 2026-27 includes $12.4 billion for aid to the state's 574 public school districts, an increase over the funding in the 2025-26 budget.

On Thursday, the state Department of Education released the aid figures for each district. Similar to 2025-26, most aid increases were capped at 6 percent, and the majority of aid cuts were capped at 3 percent. Read More: NJ State Aid: See How Much Your School Is Getting For 2026-27

The Bernards Township Board of Education shared budget concerns ahead of the release of the state aid numbers referencing rising health care costs and lower extordinary state aid. Read More: Rising Health Costs, Declining State Aid Impact Bernards Township School Budget

Have a news tip? Email alexis.tarrazi@patch.com.