Bernards Township Schools to Receive Less State Funding for 2026-27

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The Bernards Township School District in New Jersey is set to receive $240,454 less in state aid for the 2026-27 school year, a 3% decrease from the previous year. This marks the second consecutive year the district has seen a 3% reduction in state funding, as it grapples with rising healthcare costs and lower extraordinary state aid.

Why it matters

The reduction in state funding poses challenges for the Bernards Township School District as it works to maintain educational programs and services for students amid budgetary constraints. The district must find ways to offset the loss of state aid, which could impact class sizes, extracurricular activities, and other areas.

The details

According to the state Department of Education, Bernards Township is slated to receive $7,774,673 in state aid for the 2026-27 school year, down from $8,015,127 the previous year. Similar to the 2025-26 budget, most aid increases were capped at 6%, while the majority of aid cuts were capped at 3%. The district superintendent, Nick Markarian, acknowledged the reduction but said the district was planning accordingly.

• The state Department of Education released the 2026-27 state funding figures on March 13, 2026.
• Bernards Township School District received a 3% decrease in state aid for the 2025-26 school year.

What they’re saying

What’s next

The Bernards Township Board of Education will need to review the district's budget and determine how to address the reduction in state funding, which could involve making difficult decisions about program cuts or other cost-saving measures.