Hillsborough School Board Debates 2% Tax Increase Before Final Budget Vote

Board members weigh community impact against funding needs for student programs and safety upgrades.

Apr. 14, 2026 at 5:55pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A colorful, abstract grid of school supplies like textbooks, pencils, and notebooks, conceptually representing the tension between funding priorities and taxpayer impact in the Hillsborough school budget discussions.The Hillsborough school board's budget debate highlights the challenge of balancing educational needs with community affordability.Hillsborough Today

Hillsborough's Board of Education is continuing to debate whether to move forward with a proposed 2% tax levy increase in the 2026-27 school budget before a final vote set for April 30. Board President Joel Davis said the conversation is ongoing as members consider the implications of the tax hike for the community, with some residents urging a lower or zero percent increase, while others argue the district needs to responsibly fund student programs and safety upgrades.

Why it matters

The proposed tax increase has sparked debate in the community, with some residents concerned about the financial strain on homeowners, while the school board argues the additional funding is necessary to maintain educational programs and implement critical safety measures. The outcome of the budget vote could impact the district's ability to pass future referendums for larger projects like a new high school.

The details

The introduced budget would raise the average Hillsborough homeowner's property tax by $993.51 annually, while Millstone residents would see an increase of $1,559.12. The budget includes proposals for new staff positions, such as literacy and math supervisors, as well as security upgrades like automated license plate readers and weapons detection systems. Board members are weighing whether to stick with the 2% levy increase or consider lower options, which would require scaling back some of the proposed initiatives.

  • The Board of Education introduced the budget with a 2% tax levy increase at their March 23 meeting.
  • The final budget vote is scheduled for April 30.

The players

Joel Davis

The President of the Hillsborough Board of Education who expressed regret over initially approving the 2% tax levy increase and wants to explore lower options.

Thomas Zobelli

A Hillsborough resident who argued that raising taxes is not the solution and suggested sending the matter to a voter referendum.

Henry Goodhue

The Hillsborough Education Association President who urged the board to protect student programs and staffing.

Jane Staats

A Board of Education member who said even a smaller increase could be difficult for residents and suggested looking at the budget from multiple perspectives.

Cynthia Nurse

A Board of Education member who called school safety a priority and said the district's leadership was not asking for "anything crazy".

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Enough is enough in terms of if the answer is to raise taxes every time the state decides to unfairly go after towns like Hillsborough. Then you really are going to push more and more people out of this town, out of this state.”

— Thomas Zobelli, Hillsborough Resident

“We have the opportunity to fund responsibly. Every single person in here, whether you're a parent, an educator, a board member, whoever, we have a responsibility to help these students thrive. And if we flatten a budget, we are not meeting that responsibility.”

— Henry Goodhue, Hillsborough Education Association President

“There's a saying that's the straw that broke the camel's back. Sometimes that last straw isn't necessarily a heavy one. It's just the one that really puts people over the edge.”

— Jane Staats, Hillsborough Board of Education Member

What’s next

The Hillsborough Board of Education will hold a final vote on the 2026-27 school budget, including the proposed 2% tax levy increase, on April 30.

The takeaway

The debate over the Hillsborough school budget highlights the delicate balance between funding critical educational and safety needs and the financial burden on local taxpayers. As the board weighs its options, the outcome could impact the district's ability to pass future referendums for larger projects like a new high school.