Union School Officials Detail Budget Shortfall as Parents, Staff Voice Concerns

UNION, NJ — A large crowd filled the Union Art Center's DMK Black Box Theater Thursday night as Union school officials outlined a growing budget shortfall, prompting concern and criticism from parents and staff.Superintendent Dr. Gerry Benaquista told attendees that the Township of Union Public Schools is facing significant financial pressure due in part to declining state aid and rising operational costs. The district lost $1.73 million in state funding in fiscal year 2026 and an additional $1.68 million in 2027, he said, attributing the reductions to increases in local property values and income under the state funding formula.The district’s operating revenue totals approximately $176.9 million, accounting for 92% of total funding, with additional support from grants, pre-K funding and bonds. Major expenditures in the proposed 2027 budget include $89.1 million for salaries, $37.3 million for employee benefits and more than $32 million for transportation and tuition.Benaquista said health care costs alone are projected to increase by $5 million next year, while annual salary increases add another $3 million in expenses. “We don’t control the increase in health benefits,” Benaquista said. “We want to make sure our employees have a great health plan, which we do, but the cost is going up so much it’s hard to sustain.” He added that uncertainty about future costs and state funding complicates long-term planning. To address the shortfall, the district will institute a series of changes, including restructuring elementary schools to a kindergarten-through-fifth-grade model and repurposing Franklin Elementary School as a pre-K center. Officials said the moves would reduce transportation costs.Additional proposals include reducing staff, reevaluating central office functions, refinancing leases, reviewing district programs and technology spending, exploring shared services and reassessing after-school sports and activities.Business Administrator Yolanda Coons acknowledged the community’s concerns but emphasized the challenges facing the district. “We acknowledge that there are many opinions and ideas regarding how to go about providing education in a caring and professional way. But we are faced with an incredibly difficult crisis brought about by forces almost completely out of our control. We are being asked tonight to approve cuts to our current programs that no one on this dais is happy with or wants to happen. Our first priority is to ensure that the students of this district receive the best classroom instruction we can provide.”During public comment, many parents and staff criticized potential cuts, particularly the possible elimination of librarians and teaching positions. Several speakers warned that losing library staff would have “long-lasting consequences” for students, while others questioned how academic performance could improve amid staff reductions.“The loss of our kindergarten teacher does not strengthen the district — it weakens it,” one parent said.Others raised concerns about transparency in the proposed redistricting process and called for a closer look at administrative costs, suggesting some positions may be redundant.Parents also pointed to past expenses, including remediation efforts at Hannah Caldwell Elementary School following mold issues, as contributing to the district’s financial strain.“I’m distressed to hear about cutting elementary school music programs,” another speaker said.Benaquista said the district will continue to advocate for increased state funding but warned that difficult decisions may be necessary if the current funding formula remains unchanged. The budget resolution was unanimously approved by the Board.