Fair and equitable school funding is a fight that retired Superintendent Carol Birnbohm began after leading the district for 13 years.
And it’s a fight that continues with Superintendent Matt Webb, who began his tenure in September, with the support of the Lenape Regional High School District board of education.
“The increase in state funding this year is a step in the right direction, but it falls far short of what is needed to address nearly $9 million in underfunding over the past eight years,” he said. “We are grateful to our entire school community for their continued support and advocacy, and we look forward to working with the Commissioner and Governor to deliver a long-overdue update to the school funding formula.”
The board adopted a $185.7 million General Fund budget for the 2026-’27 school year, representing a 4.11% increase over the previous year, after a public hearing on April 29.
This budget includes an increase in state aid totaling $1,101,830 or 6%, the first in eight consecutive years of loss.
The 2026–’27 budget reflects a nearly 17% increase in health-care costs, bringing the two-year total to approximately 26%. The district continues to face a deficit in employee health-care contributions due to the mandated New Jersey Educators Health Plan (Chapter 44).
While Chapter 44 was intended to reduce health-care costs for both districts and employees, its implementation has resulted in significant financial challenges for districts statewide, officials said.
Board of Education Finance Chair David Stow emphasized the district’s continued commitment to fiscal responsibility. According to the New Jersey Department of Education’s Taxpayer’s Guide to Education Spending, the Lenape district ranks among the top-performing regional school districts in the state, with one of the lowest ratios of administrators to faculty and students.
It also spends 25% less than the state-mandated regional limit on administrative costs per pupil.
State aid to Lenape increased to just over $19.4 million this year. Despite the increase, state funding represents only 10.48% of the district’s total budget.
“It’s unbelievable that, with the level of tax dollars contributed by our eight communities, our district receives such a small percentage back from the state,” Stow observed. “While we appreciate the increase, there is still significant work to be done to ensure fair and equitable funding.”
Stow noted that recent adjustments to the state’s funding formula – such as averaging property and income levels over three years and funding actual special education enrollment – helped prevent potential reductions in aid.
“While these changes represent an improvement, they are not yet permanent,” he said. “We must continue advocating for long-term solutions that strengthen the funding formula and address remaining structural deficiencies in state funding.”
Despite challenges, Lenape continues to demonstrate strong academic outcomes, supported by strong community backing and a dedicated staff committed to student success.
With an average graduation rate of 96.3% across its four high schools, the district consistently outperforms state and national averages in Advanced Placement (AP) scores, SAT results, and other college and career readiness benchmarks. Innovation, creativity and high-achievement remain core to its mission.
Tax impacts for each sending district are:
- Evesham Township – Tax levy increase of 3.04 cents, resulting in an increase in regional school taxes of $93.96 on a home assessed at the township average of $273,776.
- Medford Township – Tax levy increase of 2.24 cents, resulting in an increase in regional school taxes of $80.33 on a home assessed at the township average of $331,100.
- Medford Lakes Borough – Tax levy increase of 8.38 cents, resulting in an increase in regional school taxes of $248.02 on a home assessed at the borough average of $291,200.
- Mount Laurel Township – Tax levy increase of 2.93 cents, resulting in an increase in regional school taxes of $81.57 on a home assessed at the township average of $241,292.
- Shamong Township – Tax levy increase of 5.62 cents, resulting in an increase in regional school taxes of $182.35 on a home assessed at the township average of $311,891.
- Southampton Township – Tax levy increase of 9.49 cents, resulting in an increase in regional school taxes of $183.99 on a home assessed at the township average of $189,706.
- Tabernacle Township – Tax levy increase of 2.24 cents, resulting in an increase in regional school taxes of $62.42 on a home assessed at the township average of $274,198.
- Woodland Township – Tax levy decrease of .62 cents, resulting in a decrease in regional school taxes of $8.30 on a home assessed at the township average of $256,948.
For additional information, contact business administrator Kara Huber at (609) 268-2000, ext. 556500, or khuber@lrhsd.org.
