It’s budget season for the Woodbridge Township Board of Education. The public is invited for a PowerPoint presentation summarizing its contents at the Board’s public hearing on May 1 at 6:00 pm. For seven straight years, the district has been the grateful recipient of increased State School Aid from Trenton. Unfortunately, after receiving full funding under the State’s school funding formula this current school year, we are now slated to lose some funding beginning in July. For context, since Governor Murphy entered office in 2018, the district has finally received its fair share of School Aid, rising from $28.9 million in 2018 to current year’s $127.3 million. While a cut is not ideal, I trust the calculation is warranted based on the formula’s metrics and I want to ensure readers that I will work my colleagues and administration to avoid any impact on student learning and overall student experience that we all have come to expect.
The Board and administration, like we do every year, are exploring a few avenues to be more efficient and save money, including how to handle the expected electric utility rate increases beginning this summer. In totality, the proposed budget is $358,717,681 which is $3.9 million less than last year's budget. As a result of the loss of State money, we are adjusting accordingly by spending proportionally less.
I have received questions about the Trump administration’s desire to close the US Department of Education (DOE). Despite the recent Executive Order to the department to begin transferring functions to other departments, our district has not experienced a disruption of funding. In total, the district receives approximately $11 million annually in special education funding to offset the cost of special services. Despite suggestions to the contrary, the USDOE does not set curriculum for New Jersey school districts. New Jersey law and its State Board of Education sets curriculum standards for local districts who in turn develop or purchase curriculum guides and materials that meet the grade-level standards. I will keep you all apprised of any federal changes that impact the district.
In March, the Board meeting was very quick and was a highlighted by the budget introduction. The Board expects to approve the budget at our May 8 meeting. However, I would be remiss if I did not emphasize the district’s commitment to school safety following an incident involving a firearm in mid-March. Rather than wait for the new budget year beginning in July to expand our metal detector procedures from afterschool sporting events to daily school hours as originally planned, the district has ordered for purchase a full complement of metal detectors for daily use at all three high schools as early as this April. Communication on the new procedures will be forthcoming.
Our partners with the Middlesex County Magnet Schools, formerly known as the County’s Vocational-Technical School District, broke ground on their new Innovation Magnet School which will be their sixth high school. Slated to open in fall 2026, the school will offer forward-thinking 21st century career majors such as Logistics, Robotics and Drone Technology, Sustainable Energy Technology, Cybersecurity and Information Technology, Biotechnology, Plant Science, Sustainable Construction and Environmental Technology.
Kindergarten registration for the 2025-2026 school year is now open and the application can be found exclusively online at www.woodbridge.k12.nj.us/page/student-registration. The district encourages families to register as soon as possible. Please spread the word.
The President’s Council, the district’s umbrella parent advocacy group is holding its next meeting on Wednesday, May 7 at 7:00 pm. The meeting will be held in-person at a place to be determined. All members of the district community are invited. For more information, please email President Dareth Voorhees at PresidentCouncilWB@gmail.com.
Parents and guardians, please note that the district will be closed for Spring Break beginning with an early dismissal on Friday, April 18 and end when classes resume the morning of Monday, April 28. An official decision on the unused, built-in snow days will be made at the April 17 meeting.
The State expanded income eligibility for free school breakfast and lunch. It’s never too late to verify your eligibility by completing the district’s School Meals application. Parents can find the application online on their Genesis portal or can ask your school Principal’s office. Please spread the word!
The Board will hold its next regular meeting on Thursday, April 17th at 6:00 PM. The Board will meet in the gymnasium of the Ross Street Elementary School #11, 110 Ross Street, Woodbridge. The public is welcome to attend all meetings. As always, you can view live or read up on all previous Board meetings through the district’s website or Facebook page. This year’s Board meeting calendar is as follows: May 1 (Open Public Finance Meeting), May 8 (Budget adoption), June 12, July 17, August 14 and 28, September 18, October 16, November 20, December 18, and January 6, 2026.
Should you ever require my assistance, I welcome your input at one of our monthly Board of Education meetings. You can also e-mail the full board at board@woodbridge.k12.nj.us or call the Board Secretary’s office at 732-602-8536. As always, Dr. Massimino welcomes any questions at Joseph.Massimino@woodbridge.K12.nj.us