STRENGTHENING OUR
FINANCIAL FOUNDATION

To maintain optimal student-teacher ratios and enhance educational quality, we must confront our financial challenges directly. Millstone Township can build fiscal resilience by pursuing strategic partnerships, maximizing grant opportunities, and aligning operational capacity with enrollment trends.

The district's budget has grown from $39.6 million in 2019-20 to an estimated $44 million in 2024-25, reflecting steady 2.2% annual growth
There is $2.1 million in projected state aid losses through 2025
As property taxes provide 79% of district revenue compared to the typical 50-60%, we must identify alternative funding sources and operational efficiencies to prevent unsustainable tax increases.
Rising special education costs, healthcare benefits consuming 19% of budget, and maintaining aging facilities demand creative financial strategies beyond simply raising taxes on already-burdened residents.

The good news is that there are solutions that don't solely rely on increasing taxes or cutting key programs.

SO HOW WILL WE DO THAT?

Drive Efficiencies

Millstone should study districts like Marlboro Township's operational model, which achieves 11% higher math proficiency while spending $2.2K less per student, and adopt their best practices in curriculum delivery, professional development & resource allocation.

Mitigate Tax Increases

Given that education already commands 69-72% of residents' property tax bills, the district should establish a hard cap linking future budget increases to enrollment changes, ensuring that declining student populations trigger proportional spending reductions.

Boost Revenue From Grants

Despite serving one of New Jersey's wealthiest communities, Millstone qualifies for numerous competitive federal and state grants for STEM education, professional development, and innovative programming that could generate $500K -$1M annually in additional revenue.

Increase Out Of District Students

We can explore leveraging the district's unique developmental advantages to attract families willing to pay tuition to fill existing open special needs seats. Then we can evaluate becoming a "Choice District" allowing us to select top student talent to our schools.

Forge Partnerships With The PTO & MTFEE

Transform our relationship and establish year-round collaboration frameworks. Together we will identify specific, measurable funding priorities and set aligned funding goals.

Implement "Adopt-a-Classroom" Grants

Create a foundation enabling corporate sponsorships to fund specific classroom programs & innovations.

POTENTIAL LONG TERM CHALLENGES

The high reliance on property taxes shields Millstone from some of the State funding challenges BUT also opens us up when a recession hits impacting property tax revenues.